The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-16

oW SVSss WY WVVO
ments With 8 society Journal. Tie sea
son over. however. he lost his position.
No new ones offered. His money ran
out and, selling OF some Of his effects
to settle his debts, he placed the rest
in suitcase. Ralph was city.wearied
a. he wandered .aimlessly. He had Q
vague idea Of finding some country
weekly where he could bury himself
and forget his old vain ambitions.
Near the spot where he now found
himself his mishap had overcome him,
and here he was. helpless. Apparent
II he was not friendles. however, for
his environment suggested that he was
under the charge Of a faithful and at
tractive nurse.
It was dusk when Ralph awoke
again. He observed a light in the
next room and made out his nurse and
weakened, elfish-faced old man con.
versing.
Il am poor, very poor" the latter
was whining. Il cannot afford expense.
Get money from him, II he has any"
mo. uncle" spoke the girl definite.
ly. Il know from his rawlings while in
fever his whole story, and 1t is a pitt
full one. See, uncle, he himself will
surely find some way to pay the sur
geon when he is we'll. AS to the little
he costs US, the way we live, you can
surely spare that for the sake of sweet
charity"
Charity! charity!" groaned the old
man. who gives me charity? No.
no, tell you l am poor, poor! See
how miserably am obliged to live!
See how hard work in the city! He
must pay-pay!'
HE will when he RECEIVERS" declared
the young girl. "Oh. uncle! would you
drive him ont, possibly to become
crippled for life. because Of neglect?
Il did not appreciate you while
had you!" he cried to It. "Oh. is there
yet time? Is there yet timer"
With the picture still In his hand. he
staggered to the mirror.
There was no doubt Of It. The large
bald spot in the center Of his head
was still spreading.
"Oh, why did not take care Of It
while had IT," he moaned. and again
his eyes fell yearningly on the picture
Of himself taken seven years before
Detroit Free Press.
Be humane. for my sake; l will work
the harder for YOU"
"Ha! he has struck your fancy, eh ?"
snarled the old man.
The girl blushed holly. but she said,
with girlish lightly:
"The memory of the poor brother
who died bids me be kind to the stran.
ger.
The old man grumbled, but his com.
panion held to her POINT. He exacted
promise from her that she would see
II the suitcase did not contain some
belongings that might be sold to pay
the way for his unwelcome guest.
1t did not take long for Ralph to
understand that the misery Galbraith,
% he learned his name to be, was q
miser for whom his niece shaved. He
had some bushes in the city In the
scrap-iron line.
Within two days Ralph was able to
sit up. Then the girl. Ottila, in some
way got pair Of crutches, and inside
Of . week he was able to move to q
bench outside the house and hobble
around.
He had unpacked his belongings
from the suitcase. Recalling the con-
versation he had overheard, he did up
the dress suit that had done vast serv-
Ice in his society reportorial expert
ence. He asked Ottila to dispose of It.
The sale brought pitiful sum, but 1t
quieted old Galbraith for day or two
Then Ralph handed her the watch he
wore, cheap silver timepiece that did
not 60. She seemed embarrassed as
these negotiations showed the niggard.
ly persistency Of her uncle and placed
her in false position with the guest
whose respect she cherished.
Ralph was panied to note the sharp
corners she had to cut in order to pro-
vide.the meals from the narrow amount
her uncle allowed her It could not be
otherwise that day by day the sterling
qualities Of his devoted nurse wooed
his mind from all thoughts save inter.
est, and then deep gratitude and finally
love.
After the sale of the watch he OBJ
served that Galbraith was more favor.
ably disposed towards him. Then he
accidentally learned the secret Of this.
He missed gold necklace that Ottila
had once worn. He was sure that she
had disposed Of this and that the pro.
ceeds had gone to Galbraith as IL com.
ing from their patient His soul was
, stirred to their depths.
That evening Galbraith came home
In great state of excitement. He
showed Ralph newspaper advertise.
ment stating that one missing Ralph
Norton would learn of something de-
cidedly to his advantage by communi.
eating with certain law firm With.
In twenty-four hours Ralph learned
that his uncle had died leaving him an
Independent fortune.
| It was a happy day for Ralph when
he sent Galbraith check for a lib
era amount. Then there was q royal
gift for his faithful nurse. Accom-,
panyins It was = letter. telling her Of
his love.
| : There came brief note. II babe him