Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-09-15

side of the narrow hall which bisected
the house. But long ago these dve
rooms had been divided so that now
they formed three suits each-two 0f
two rooms and single room. d.
The single rooms. dirty and dark as
they were, found ready occupancy. for
the rent was but half that Of the two
roomed suits. But. while nearly all OF
the single rooms were tenanted. many
Of the two room suits were empty.
elders reduced dividends were ex
planned.
They were making the last ROUNDS
on the top floor when they heard a
voice far below hailing Mr.. Burson.
The strength and assurance Of It spoke
eloquently Of full dinner pail.
"Ah. that must be Manders. the
plumber exclaimed Burson. hasten
Ing toward the dark and rickety stair
way. "Pardon me one moment. Mr..
Glider. 'Tll bring him right up"
Left to himself. Glider started slow
" toward the narrow window at the
far end Of the hall. Suddenly door
was flung open halfway down the hall.
and the anxious face Of one OF the
amateur nurses from the settlement
peered out At sight Of Glider her face
cleared and she sprang forward.
"Oh. sir. am so glad to see you!
My patient is very sick-typhoid. l
must have help. The doctor is some
where In the building. probably with
Casey's little girl on the first floor.
Bring him as quick as you can" Then
as she realized the blank look on Gil
ders face anxiety again puckered her
smooth brow.
"Oh, you don't think you can find
him? What shall do? must-l
know. You stay here-keep very quiet
hes delirous and won't notice the
change. Don't excite him whatever
you do" and before Glider could voice
his protest she had pushed him through
the door and sped down the hall.
Nauseated and highly indignant.
Glider looked about him.
The work Of the volunteers from the
settlement was apparent here. for tue
room was far cleaner than any Glider
had seen in the house. The patient lay
on one of the settlement hospital cots.
which with deal table and one chair
formed the only furniture In the room.
Glider was Il stranger to sickroonlS.
and a vagrant curiosity stirred him rs
his glance rested Oh the form OF the
sick man. In the dim light his features
were barely Observation-Disclosures thin
frame twitched restlessly under the
light sheet.
Glider half turned to go when sud
denly the man sat bolt upright ana
stretched out his arms in the p!teous
appeal Of childhood.
"Daddy-daddyw he walled. Take
me up. daddy: am tired Of my bed
An onlooker might have seen GU
rious change in Mr.. Glider during this
scene. 1T the first word from the sick
mans lips he had stopped. one foot en-
tended toward the door.
The trembling Of his form grew
until 1t was like palsy. and the mus
cles of his throat moved convulsiveiy
up and down. Little beads Of perspi-
ration that were not caused by the heat
stood ont upon his forehead-a great
pounding was in his ears. Then he
turned.
"Danny-Danny" the whisper sound.
ed loud and rasping in the little room.
"Danny-it can't be you. Danny. boy
1t can't be you! It's been long time
you've changed. Danny. But your
voice-it's just the same-just the
same"
When the nurse and doctor hurried
into the room few moments later
strange sight met their eyes. Mr.. Gil
der. the great Mr.. Glider. whose
wealth and eccentricities furnished 80
much copy for the Sunday supple
ments. was OH his knees by the side OF
the tenement typhoid patient. and the
face he turned toward them was tear
stained ana very old.
"DOctor-my son-he IL very Ill. My
sun-do you hear! The son OF Bald
win Glider. You must work hard
spare no expense-see how he clings
to me-my poor Danny. come back to
me like this. You think he will live
oh. I'm so GLAD so glad"
Some time later Burson. with his
plumber in tow. appeared at the door
way. properly shocked ut sight OF his
aristocratir patron in the midst OF such
surroundings. but his surprise gave
place to wonder ut Mr.. elders first
words the voice was so strangely gen.
tie.
"Ah. Burson. I cannot go with you
how. have more important matters
here. have found my son-yes. my
son-Iost these ten years. ! shall not
leave him-he needs me. You Will
have to look after the plumbing your
self. And Burson-we will put new
pipes throughout the house whatever
Is necessary for comfort and health.
Never mind the expense. You see.
Burson son Is a tenant-that Is.
he was a tenant-in the Bowes street
"