The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-07-13


address at the top Of the sheet, and
he asked big policeman where the
house was. The officer looked at him
euriously.
straight out this street." he said.
"Just two miles If you want the walk"
"I'll walk" said the old man and he
stepped off briskly.
He had gone mile perhaps when he
decided to cross the street. A curious
building drew him to a closer view.
He was still little dazed by the
hustle and roar of the city.
AS he stepped from the curb shrill
voice warned him. He blundered
ahead and was swiftly bowled over by
an automobile.
A policeman reached him almost in
stantly and the automobile driver
stopped his machine and quickly ran
back. They lifted the old man to his
feet and held him up. He had been
knocked down, not run over, and his
head had been bumped by the fall.
He wasn't hurt he told them.
"Hospital?' the automobile driver
whispered to the policeman.
The keen old ears heard him.
"This is where | want to 60" he
murmured as he fumblingly brought
out Sylvia's address. The driver and
policeman looked at it.
"Relatives?" the driver asked.
Daughter" the old man answered.
'Tll have him there in half min
ute," said the driver. Help me get
him to the machine"
1t was a brisk and brief ride, but
the old man took no note of it. The
gray head toppled back against the
cushions and the dim eyes closed. In
a stupid way he was dimly conscious
that he was being helped up many
steps and then he lost all conscious
ness.
He awoke with the sunshine stream
ing into the room, beautiful room,
high and shining. His head ached
little, but he felt refreshed and keen
and even hungry. AS his head turned
on the soft pillow he saw that he was
not alone A child was sitting by the
bedside, girl whose smiling blue eyes
met his wondering gaze, girl whose
slender fingers were twined about his
brown old hand.
Are you awake, grandpa" the child
softly asked. Pm Sylvia, you know
your little nurse. And you are to
take drink from the glass as soon
as you wake up-that's what DR.. Van
Gorder said. Let me help you" Hold
ing the glass in one hand she clam
bered carefully on the bed. Then
slipping a round arm under the gray
head she put the glass to Abner's
lips.
"Why, grandpa" she said, you're
crying! Does your poor head hurt
you so? I'll call mamma-she's wait
ing at the door. Mammal"
And Sylvia came-so much like the
old Sylvia-and ran to him and put
her arms about him and softly smooth
ed his gray hair.
I'm so glad you've come, father"
she gently sobbed.
"Sylvy," said the old man In a
hoarse whisper, how are you fixed?
Are you comfortable? Can Richard
support you? Tell your old father tn
truth-'cause he's got enough for you
ALL"
Then Sylvia laughed and cried to-
gether and hugged him again.
"Yes, yes, father, we have every
thing we could want-now that we
have you. And here's Richard to say
good morning"
Richard. looking good deal older
and a little careworn, suddenly ap'
peared. and nothing could have eI'
ceeded the friendliness of his greeting
"Well soon have you up and
around and taking in all the sights
father" he cordially cried. "And what
do you want to see first?"
| A whimsical look rested on the
wrinkled face.
DO you have any of those movin
picture shows in your town." he ask
| ed
Richard laughed merrily.
Hundreds of them"
"Pd like to go to one," said the ole
man. And when Richard Laughed
again he suddenly smiled and looked
at the little Sylvia and softly added
"Some day I'll tell you why"