The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-03
CHAPTER xI.
The ZWeibund.

The Zweibund.
On his second visit to the sick man
lodged In the padded luxuries of one of
the guest rooms at Mereside, made on
the morning following the Grierson
homecoming. Doctor Farnham found
the hospital status established, good
natured Swede installed as nurse. the
bells muffied and Miss Margery play
ing the part of sister superior and
dressing it. from the dainty, felt-soled'
slippers to the smooth banding Of her
hair.
An hour later, however. it was the
Margery of the Wahaska renais-
sance, joyously clad and radiant, who
was holding the reins over a big Eng
fish trap horse. parading down Main
street and smiling greetings to every.
body.
BY one Of the chances which he was
willing to call fortunate. Edward Ray.
mer was at the curb to help her down
from her high seat In the trap when
she pulled the big horse to a stand in
front Of her fathers bank.
"I'm the luckiest man in Red Earth
county; l was just wondering when
I should get in line to tell you now
glad we are to have you back" 40
said. with his eyes shining
"Are you, really? You are not half
as glad as I am to be back. There .
no place like home. you know"
There isn't. and there oughtn't %
be-" was hts quick response. I've
been hoping you'd come to look upon
Wahsska as your home, and now
know you d."
why shouldn't II" she laughed, and
she was reaching for paper-wrapped
package on the trap seat when he got
It for her.
"You are going somewhere?-mayl
carry It for your" he asked; but she
shook her head and took 1t from MIN.
"Only into the bank" che explained:
and she was beginning to tell him he
must come to Mereside when the sick.
man episode obtruded ITSELF and the
Invitation was broken in the midst,
very prettily, very effectively.
IT know" Raymer said, in instant
sympathy. you have your hands full
Just now. Will you let me say that it's
the finest thing l ever heard of-your
taking that poor fellow home and car
ing for him?"
Gertrude Raymer had once said In
her brothers hearing that Miss Grier-
sons color would be charming II it
were only natural. Looking into Miss
Grierson's eyes Raymer saw the refu-
tation Of the Islander in the suifusing
wave OF generous embarrassment
deepening in warm tints on the perfect
neck and cheek.
"Oh, dear mel" she said in pathetic
protest; rs 1t all over town SO soon
I'm afraid we are still dreadfully
country in Wahaska. Mr.. Raymer.
Please cut it down to the bare. com.
nonplace facts whenever you have q
chance. won't you? The poor man was
sick and nobody knew him, and some
body had to take care of him."
Like the doctor, Raymer asked the
Inevitable question. who Is he, Miss
Msrgery?" and. like the doctor again.
he received the same answer, Il
haven't the smallest notion Of an idea.
But that doesn't make the slightest
difference" she went on. He Is Q
fellow human being, sick and helpless.
That ought to be enough for any of ls
10 know"
Raymer stood watching her as she
tripped lightly into the bank. and when
he went to catch his car the conserva-
tive minority had lost whatever coun.
tenance or support he had ever given
il.
True to her latest characterization
sf herself, Margery had a nod and q
pleasant smile for the young men be-
hind the brass grilles as she passed on
her way to the presidents room in the
rear. She found her father at his
desk, thoughtfully munching the un-
burned half of one of the huge cigars,
and named her errand.
Il want a safety-deposit box big
enough to hold this" she said briefly,
exhibiting the paper-wrapped packet
5AOsr 0rierson. deeply immersed In
. natter Of business to which he had
SavA the better part Of the forenoon
Woed without looking up: Go and
81 Murray; he'll AZ you out"
~ @ any other business day. Presi
- orierson was solidly planted IN
- heavy armchair before desk vel
heeersd with work. He nodded absent
v - his daughter a. she returned
80 moving that the nod meant thai
AAsRmM come toa.he surfscssee .hirE