The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-02-13

understand that the misery Galbraith,
as 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 a pair Of crutches, and inside
of a week he was able to move to a
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 il.
The sale brought a pitiful sum-, but it
quieted old Galbraith fer a day or two.
Then Ralph handed her the watch he
wore, a cheap silver timepiece that did
not go. 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. 1t 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 oo-
served that Galbraith was more favor
ably disposed towards him. Then he
accidentally learned the secret of this.
he missed a gold necklace that Ottila
a once worn. He was sure that she
had disposed of this and that the pro-
ceeds had gone to Galbraith as if COM
ing from their patient. His soul was
stirred to their depths.
That evening Galbraith came home
IN a great state of excitement. He
showed Ralph a newspaper advertise
ment stating that one missing Ralph
Norton would learn of something de-
cidedly to his advantage by communi-
eating with a certain law firm. With
in twenty-four hours Ralph learned
that his uncle had died leaving him IN
independent fortune.
1t was a happy day for Ralph when
he sent Galbraith a check for a lib
eral amount. Then there was a royal
gift for his faithful nurse. Accom-
panying it was a letter, telling her of
his love.
There came a brief note. 1t babe him
forget the obscure girl so far removed
from his social circle. 1t hoped he
would find some fitting bride in his
own class and that they would be
happy.
When Ralph went in quest of the
Galbraiths he found the old house on
the river deserted and abandoned.
For a year he watched, waited and
hoped. Wealth had not its anticipated
charm, with his thoughts fixed ever
and always upon the one woman who
had b~efriended him in his distress and
whose loyalty and simplicity had won
his devotion.
Then n day, Just a year after his
first meeting with Ottila, an amazing
visitor came to Ralph. 1t was Gal
braith, but a new Galbraith. He was
arrayed decently, almost g~orgeously.
Il sold out my business" he clicked
with a shrewd grin, hence, some
profit. 1t was for the sake of my
niece. You remember Ottila?"
Il shall never forget her!' cried
Ralph, starting from his seat. Where
where is she?"
you would see herr" questioned
Galbraith.
Il have been searching for her for
a whole year"
And your mind has not changed
concerning herr"
ut never will! Speak out, man
where is she?
Come with me-" said Galbraith. and
as they walked along he told of how
Ottila had been at a school studying
fer a year, how she was now at the
home he had provided
for her.
1T was a test" said the old man.
"ottila wished for education, to wait
a year, and see II you still remembered
her. See, neither of you are poor now,
and she is a jewell"
And within the hour Ralph Norton
fondly folded in his arms his darling!
Copyright, 1914, by w. G. Chapman)
Memories Of Vanished Happiness.