Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-09-20

unaccountably, to hear about the case.
"Why, it is an old neighbor or
Yours" declared Mary Dawson. You
surely remember Fred Woodard? He
Is lust back from some place In the
southwest where he has been building
a bridge. Was taken at the hotel yes
terday with an ugly fever. 1t Is pity,
for 1t is such a dreadful place for
him"
"Is he dangerously ill?" Evelyn's
voice sounded strange and uninter,
ested.
HE is delirious, and the doctor says
there isn't much to build on-seems 10
have gone to pieces generally. He
talks continually about key. He
begs me to get it and unlock the door
so he can get in. He seems to nave
an impression that he is locked out OF
his own house"
"He Isl" sobbed Evelyn, rushing
suddenly from the room, leaving her
astonished friend alone.
A few minutes later white faced
girl was talking earnestly with the
kind old doctor.
"Why, the very thing" he said,
patting her shoulder soothingly. 1T
will be hard to move him, but that
will be less harmful than for him to
stay where he is. Get the key this
afternoon and we'll get him over there
in the morning"
It seemed like sacrilege when the
girl tremblingly begun her search
among his possessions for the key. In
a small box 1t lay, with a picture or
his mother and-one of herself! She
kissed them all In infinite relief. Then
she fastened to the little white house.
With her own hands, unaccustomed to
labor as they were, she swept and
busted, aired the rooms and built fires.
"It is of no use to interfere re
told her astonished mother, I'll he lives
and wants me, l am going to marry
him!"
But Frederick Woodard did not
know when he was placed in his own
bed in the pleasant, sunny chamber.
He continued to beg to be taken home.
| It was not until Evelyn with her own
| hands placed the key in his weak fin
gers that he sank to a refreshing slum-
Der.
One day the sick mans eyes opened
with a rational light He gazed about
him in slow bewilderment. The sum
light glinted through the windows.
Evelyn sat near him in her white
gown over which the fire cast rosy
shadows.
"Is tia dream?" he whispered at
last.
"It is no dream; you are really at
home, Freddie" she smiled quietly.
"But how did get here?"
"You were i'll at the hotel. We knew
you would be more comfortable here
at home, so I opened. the house and
DR.. Way and Nurse Mary brought you
here"
"And you?"
"Oh, have come over through the
day to look after the house, and to
sit with you during the nurses hour
at home"
Whom do you have to help, Ev-
elyn"
why, no one, dear boy. do 1t my
self Will you believe that actually
enjoy 1t? 1t is the first time ever
did anything useful for anyone, Fred
erick. did not understand how it
could be JOY instead of hardship"
At the look in the sick mans face
the girl slipped to her knees beside
his bed. 81 want to come-to stay,
Frederick, If you still want me-"
Dear" he said, "wait. You are pity
ing me now because am i'll.
'It isn't that. l am not afraid any
more; experience has made me wiser.
I understand now what made your
mother so lovely. I'll never be like
her, dear, for I did not begin right.
But I'll try so hard to be good wife.
Will you take me back, Frederick"
Woodard put his arms about her
with quite remarkable strength. -.-.