The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-12-14

rents 10 last until next pay Jury WIZ
der what one ought 10 do,
The question was answered at once.
The door of the front room opened
again and the happy man," as Homo
ra had designated the good looking
lodger who ran up aud down the long
stairs of Mrs. Ramsel's gloomy house.
whistled through the hail. He started
down the stairs and Honora heard a
ripping sound. n sharp exclamation
and the thud OF heavy fall. Then all
was quiet for moment.
By the time she had reached the foot
Of the stairs there was an excited gath
ering of women about the PROSTATE
form of the happy man"
/ Mrs. Ramsell was loud In her lamen-
tations. las If didn't have enough on
my hands tonight" she walled. with
out him falling downstairs and killing
himself"
ut might be cheaper If you'd put a
new carpet on those stairs. Mrs. Ram
SELL" said q bleached looking woman
in a red silk waist.
That carpet was new last spring"
retorted Mrs. Ramsell. quick in defense
of the tattered furnishing of the third
floor. He oughter looked where he
was going"
Has any one sent for a doctor?"
] asked Honora quietly.
No. Mary. you telephone to the hos
pital for an ambulance" screamed
! Mrs. Ramsell over the banisters to the
floor below.
/ why not send for n DOCTOR" urged
Honora, bending over the unconscious
man. She had noted his evident re-
finement. and the quality of his cloth
ing indicated that he must have known
better days. although his presence In
the cheap boarding house was mys-
terry He has room. Perhaps hs
would prefer to be taken care of here"
who's going to pay dollar for Il
doctor?" demanded Mrs. Ramsel
shrilly. How do know I'll ever get
it back from him"
"I'll take the risk" said Honora i'm
patiently. and Mary was directed to
.
Mr. RamseIl was rooted out OF some
lower basement retreat. and. together
with the stout armed Mary and the
lesser efforts Of Honora and q pale
faced youth from the third floor front
room, the still form Of the no longer
happy man" was conveyed to his
room on the floor above and laid on the
bed.
! After that Mrs. Ramsell announced
that she left the case in the hands Of
Miss Burr, who didn't seem to mind
meddling In other folks affairs" she
acidly remarked. and at once disap-
peared to attend TO the interrupted
supper. The other boarders scattered
to forget the affair In the more abb
sorbing topic Of approaching Christ
mas, and Honora was left alone with
/ Paul Davis.
j The doctor arrived five minutes aft.
erward and announced that the pa
tient was merely stunned and would
recover under the application OF GER
tain restoratives, which. with Honora's
help, he proceeded 10 employ. Their
efforts were rewarded by the opening
of pair of dark eyes, followed by a
prolonged stare and dazed questioning.
ITS miracle that your husband did
genially as he pocketed his fee and
fastened away, for 1t was Christmas
eve, and he was in hurry.
Honora blushed crimson and look
OF concern came into Paul Davis face
I'm under the greatest obligation to
! you," he said frankly, land am sorry
to have been the cause of any embar
rassment Please tell me who you are
so that | can realize the situation.
The doctor has ordered me to keep in
bed till morning, and | feel dizzy
enough to never get up!'
Honora told him briefly that she was
his neighbor on the same floor and that
rs she had more leisure than any Of
the other boarders she had merely
undertaken to look out for him until
the doctor came. THE others had so
many things to do. Tomorrow will be
Christmas, you know" she ended.
IT'S Christmas for you, too, isn't itT
he asked sharply.
1T used to be. but 1t isn't any more,"
she said sadly.
The pale faced young man thrust his
head In the door to say that he would
sit up all night with Mr.. Davis. and
SO Honora, with a warm hand clasp
from the "happy man." who looked es
pecially happy whenever he glanced at
her charming face, went back to her
little room to face Christmas alone.
Morning brought delightful sur
prise. From her door handle there
hung all sorts of gifts perhaps pur
chased In haste that morning, but Sc
lected with taste. Just the presents
that Honora could accept too. A big
box of roses and a glorious potted aza
lea. a five pound box of candy, bas-
ket of fruit. book and an envelope
containing a couple of matinee tickets.
This should keep you busy on Christ
mas day." was scribbled on a blank
card. for the donor was anonymous
but, of course. Honora knew who It
was.
1t was happy Christmas for Homo
ra. after all The dollar she had emp
tied from her scanty purse to pay to
the doctor hrou phf har tho huDpiuaco