Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-10-08

Mr.. Gibson went for the doctor. The |
latter examined the patient critically. |
He shook his head obviously as he
plastered up the slight wounds.
Conclusion of the brain, | fear"
he announced seriously. 81 will leave
him some medicine. Change the wet
towels often, get him to bed and noti-
fly his friends"
Never were there two more di1igent
nurses, and another was added to the
coterie when Mrs. Gibson returned
home. That end of the proposition
turned out satisfactorily, for within
two hours the patient opened his eyes.
He scanned his environment in a
blank meaningless sort of way. Mar
cia spoke to him, but the man only
stared. He did not speak, he did not
even seem to hear when he was spo-
ken to.
The doctor came next morning. In
the meantime, with pleased smile
the patient had accepted bowl of
cruel from Marcia. AS she moved
about the room he followed her en-.
cessantly with his eyes. The express
sion of his face was a pleased calm
luxurious weariness, and he only
stared when she spoke to him.
| The doctor had bad news to i'm
part; some delicate part of the mans
mental machinery had been, Jared
rudely. He might remain in his pres
ent situation for perhaps al
ways. Again he urged Mr.. Gibson to
try to learn the identity of the man.
To this task Mr.. Gibson devoted
himself for three days, but with no
| results The man was stranger,
| probably on walking tour. Aunt
Marcia beckoned to her brother-in-
law as he returned one egening from
his fruitless quest.
L have searched his Clothes she
said, and have not found scrap Of
paper to indicate who the man is, or
where he came from-nothing. except
this"
Mr.. Gibson uttered vivid cry of
amazement. Marcia had opened a
drawer in the bureau in the sick room
and had taken out pocketbook AS
she exhibited its contents great heap
of bank notes showed. There were
hundred dollar bills, fifties. twenties.
Altogether there must have been over
two thousand dollars in the broad,
long receptacle.
Mr.. Gibson's eyes dilated, eagerly,
hungrily. How much good that moDey
would do them in their present dire
emergency! AS he lifted his gaze he
flushed guiltily, for he met the clear
steadfast eyes of Marcia.
"a sacred trust, brother she said
locked the drawer and handed him
the key.
In the same daze the patient re
manned for week. Then he was able
to be up and about Always he had
attention for Marcia, and only for her
When she played on the piano, OF
sang, he would listen raptly. When
they gave him E seat in the garden. in
a species of dull iethargy all day long
only when Marcia was near him would
he seem content or comprehending.
It got to be question Of urgency
as to what disposition should be made
Of him as two weeks came to an end
The county institution was the onll
local refuge offered Its officer ha(
come to suggest that they relieve Mar
cia of the care of their patient. The!
sat discussing the case in the garden
Near to them sat the patient Yer,
decidedly Marcia refused to consen
to casting out on the cold charity o
the world person whom fate hal
sent under their roof. She told Q
the pocketbook, she suggested tha
they advertise for the friends of tn
stranger.
A sharp gasp caused her companion
and herself to start violently. A ney
expression in his eyes, the patient COZ
fronted them. He had heard allan
comprehended all.
Noble woman!" he said brokenly
+ and took her hand and kissed it revel
/, emily.
t A rich lonely bachelor recoverin
j. from fit of sickness, in a strang
place his accident had happened t
g him. But it had brought him faitf
o full nurse, and later sweet, charm
d ing wife. and the troubles of the Gil
l. son family were all ended.
,, Copyright, 1915. by w. G. Chapman)