Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-12-20

Vne QUESTION was an9Wefe0 ~ ouc4
The door Of the front room opened
again and the happy man." a. Homo
r. had designated the good looking
Iodger who ran up and down the long
stairs Of Mr.. Ramsell's gloomy house,
whistled through the hall. He started
down the stairs and Honora heard =
ripping sound. sharp exclamation
and the thud Of a heavy fall, Then ali
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"
Mr.. Ramsell was loud In her lamen.
tations. "As II didn't have enough en-
my hands tonight" she walled. with
out him falling downstairs and killing
himself"
1T might be cheaper II you'd put
new carpet on those stairs. Mrs. Ram
SELL said bIeached looking woman
In 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 q doctorf"
asked Honora quietly.
mo. Mary. you telephone to the hos
pital for an ambulancer' screamed
Mrs. Ramsell over the banisters to the
floor below.
why not send for DOCTOR" urged
Honora. bending over the unconscious
man. She had noted his evident re-
lnement, and the quality Of his cloth
ing indicated that be must have known
better days. although his presence In
the cheap boarding house was mys-
terry. HE has room. Perhaps he
would prefer to be taken care Of here"
who's going to pay dollar for
doctor?" demanded Mrs. Ramseli
shrilly. How do know I'll ever get
1t back from him"
"I'll take the risk" said Honora I'M
patiently. and Mary was directed to
| telephone for the nearest physician.
Mr. Ramsell was rooted out of some
lower basement retreat, and. together
with the stout armed Mary and the
lesser efforts of Honora and 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.
The doctor arrived five minutes aft.
erward and announced that the pa
tent was merely stunned and would
recover under the application of GER
tain restoradves. which. with Honora's
help. he proceeded to employ. Their
efforts were rewarded by the opening
of pair Of dark eyes, followed by a
prolonged stare and dazed questioning.
IT'S miracle that your husband did
not break his neck" said the doctor
genially as he pocketed his fee and
FASTENED away, for it was Christmas
eve. and he was In hurry.
Honora blushed crimson and a 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 1 can realize the situation.
The doctor has ordered me to keep in
bed till morning, and I feel dizzy
enough to never get up!'
Honora told him briefly that she was
his neighbor on the same floor and that
as 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 it7'
be asked sharply.
1T used to be. but it 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 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. five pound box of candy, bas-
ket Of fruit. book and an envelope
containing couple Of matinee tickets
''This should keep you busy on Christ
mas day." was scrubbed on blank