Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-06-08

should not have married on so little
money. Our people told us so. But
we did"-she tossed her head defiant
ly-"and we were happy, so happy, I'M
til the accident. 1t was an automobile,
and it injured his hip. At the hospital
they could do little. and, oh, the suf-
feringr' The girl covered her face,
but soon her voice rang clear again.
''Even then could have managed had
he trusted me. He was brought home
from the hospital to spend his life in
a wheeled chair But found a posi-
ton, and it was good. After hours
there was extra tipping. Joy alone
seemed to suffer. needing more case
than could give. So l decided to put
love before pride-to send her here
with those good people for the sum-
mer. Then, sitting there all day alone.
her father reasoned wrongly. A dou-
BILE burden is more than even willing
hands can bear he wrote. found
the cruel self sacrificing note when 1
came home at night and he was gone.
He would have good care he assured
me. But the place where he was going
should be kept secret that might not
come to break his determination. AL
ways I would have news Of him. and
he would hear of me. But until some
easier way might be opened my hus-
band, would efface himself for my
sake. Letters came, many and often,
all dated from New York. How he
had managed to get there l could not
know"
In silent sympathy old Charlie reach
ed over and touched the little mothers
hand.
"And does it, asked the child at
evening, take so. many dollars to buy
a tombstone?" Charlie was counting
the money back into the box. his fin
gers moving shakily. He nodded.
Reckon you'll have to take keer O.
your cat for day or two. JOY" he
said. give got to go into tewn''
"Oh," she cried. her eyes wide and
shining, ARE you going 10 find my
papa now? you said some day. meb-
be-" Charles horny palm closed in
promise over the little soft one "If 1
kim" he answered simply.
From hospital to hospital went the
bent old figure, and then Charlie turn
ed into the broad gateway of the place
of his last hope. New York, he felt
sure, was not the true hiding place of
the crippled father. Letters might be
forwarded from there in order to keep
from the loved one the humiliating
fact of the home city poor faym,"
And Charlie found that he Vas right.
His sharp old eyes soon sought out
the wheel chair even In Its Secluded
corner. A young man, lifting his head
In quick alarm at strangers APP
proach. dropped it again at sight of
the seaman's bent figure.
How dog said Charlie pleasantly
"Pretty tiresome, reckon, a-settin'
round all day. Been like this long?"
The young man nodded brusquely.
"And they amt no cure:"
"None." The word was shortly spok-
en-. Sympathy, deep and true. shone
in every line of Charles wrinllled face.
The sick man, regarding him quietly
smiled in sudden friendliness. I'm
less" he added. 81 were rich; then
there might be a chance.
"Sho!" Charlie was interested "How's
that?"
There's clever old customer an
Austrian surgeon. who sometimes fixes
up a job like me. He's in New York
now, but it would take more money
than III have in all my crippled life
just to bring him to look me over
Land" murmured Charlie softly
That's too bad.'
The young man laughed. "Oh. we'll.
he said, don't you worry about it,
Too bad Charlie repeated as he
shufiled down the long corridor to the
| DOCTORS door.
Come in called a brisk voice. and
old Charlie entered the attending physi
clans office.
Joy was waiting for him when he re-
| turned at evening-waiting upon his
| doorstep in the early twilight. tho
| white kitten in her arms.
you didn't find my daddy" she sigh
ed resignedly. But maybe anothe!
day you'll bring him back to me-
| "Mebhe.' said old Charlie.
When the little mother came again
upon visiting day she hurried eagerly
across the sands with Joy.
Listen. kind friend" she called, an(
waved aloft letter 1T is from IN!
husband" She paused breathlessly
Such wonderful news. / must share
it with you. He feared to write too
hopefully. yet could not keep his hope
from me. Some great Austrian sur
geon has consented to take his case-tt
operate there in New York. The doc
tors have arranged everything. If th,
operation is successful my husband
will walk again The girls voic,
sang. Charlie turned reverently from
the radiance Of her eyes.
"An' then You'll be happy?' he asked