The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-08

LIS environment suggested tudI No WAS
under the charge OF faithful and at
tractive nurse.
It was dusk when Ralph awoke
again. He observed light in the
next room and made out his nurse and
q 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 q pitt |
full one. See. uncle, he himself will !
surely find some way to pay the sur
geon when be is we'll. As to the little
he costs u, 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. l tell you l am poor, poor! See
how miserably l am obliged to live!
See how hard work in the city! He
must pay-pay!"
110 WILL, Wucu NO I0COVCAo OCCA0AO0
the young girl. "Oh. uncle! would you
drive him ont, possibly to become
crippled for life. because Of neglect?
Be humane. for my sake: ! 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:
1.-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
| If 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 miserly Galbraith,
as he learned his name to be. was
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 a pair OF crutches, and inside
of week he was able to move to
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 q day or two.
Then Ralph handed her the watch he
wore, a 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 a 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 b.
otherwise that day by day the sterling
! qualities of his devoted nurse wooet
his mind from all thoughts save inter
!. est. and then deep gratitude and finall!
. love.
! After the sale Of the watch he oh
: served that Galbraith was more favor
. ably disposed towards him. Then b.
accidentally learned the secret of this
He missed a gold necklace that Ottil
. had once worn. He was sure that sh
= had disposed of this and that the pre-
ceeds had gone to Galbraith as II CON
ing from their patient. His soul wa
! stirred to their depths.
That evening Galbraith came HON
in a great state Of excitement. H
showed Ralph newspaper advertise
= ment stating that one missing Ralp
Norton would learn Of something d.
cidedly to his advantage by cOmmun
eating with q certain law firm Will
). IN twenty-four hours Ralph learne
= that his uncle had died leaving him q
: independent fortune.
= It was happy day for Ralph whe
he sent Galbraith a check for a Ill
eral amount. Then there was a roya
" gift for his faithful nurse Accom-
panying 1t was letter. telling her Q
his love.
There came brief note. 1t babe hir
forget the obscure girl 80 far remove
from his social circle. II hoped
: would find some fitting bride In hi
I. own class and that they would
. happy.
When Ralph went in quest Of tn
Galbraiths he found the old house o
the river deserted and abandoned.
j., For q year he watched. waited an
hoped. Wealth had not its anticipate
charm, with his thoughts fixed eve
and always upon the one woman VIII
had befriended him in his distress an
whose loyalty and simplicity had wo
his devotion.
Then one day, Just year after hi
FIRST meeting with Ottila. an amazin
visitor came to Ralph. It was Ga
braith. but a new Galbraith. He wa
arrayed decently. almost gorgeously.
Il sold out my business" he clicke
with shrewd grin, hence, som
, profit. It was for the sake of m
niece. You remember Ottila?"
Il shall never forget her! erie
Ralph, starting from his seat. "Wher
where is she?"
You would see herr" question:
Galbraith.
Il have been searching for her fc