Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-12-24

unaccountably, to hear about the case.
why, it is an old neighbor Of
yours" declared Mary Dawson. You
surely remember Fred Woodland? He
Is Just back from some place IN the
southwest where he has been building
q bridge. Was taken at the hotel yes
terday with an ugly fever. 1t is a, pity,
for it Is such a dreadful place for
him." "..s
rs 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 to
have gone to pieces generally. He
talks continually about a key. He
begs me to get it and unlock the door
so he can get in. He seems to have
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. .....s
"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 we1l 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 OF
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 We're, she swept and
busted, aired the rooms and built fires.
1T is of no use to interfere" she
told her astonished mother, If he lives
and wants me, am going to marry
him!"
But Frederick Woodland 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 I'm
gers that he sank to refreshing slum-
Der. ..E
One day the sick mans eyes opened
with rational light. He gazed about
him in slow bewilderment. The sun
light glinted through the windows.
Evelyn sat near him in her white
gown over which the fire cast rosy
shadows.
rs it a dream?" he whispered at
last.
1T 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 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. VIII you believe that actually
enjoy It? 1t is the first time ever
did anything useful Sor anyone. Fred
erick. did not understand how Il
could be Joy instead Of a 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 I am Ill.
1T isn't that. I am not afraid any.
more; experience has made me wiser.
understand now what made your
mother SO lovely. I'll never be like
her, dear, for did not begin right.
But I'll try so hard to be good wife.
Will you take me back, Frederick"
Woodland put his arms about her
with quite remarkable strength.