The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-17

| 1t was a remarkable piece of work.
the expression of the girls face being
perhaps its highest attainment. Had
there been no church for a back
ground. one would still have known
that what she was about to sing was
hymn.
AS the two walked home together
the artist said:
| Il had intended, with your permits
sion. to send the picture to the fall
exhibition in New York. but l. have
decided that ! can't. | shall be so
lonely when you are gone
The girl was really touched; the
| old note I'm his voice, both fiippant
and Querulous, was so entirely alb
| sent.
Il shall not be so long away" she
said very gently. and then she added:
Take care of my grandfather for me-
They had reached the rectory, but
seeing some visitors on the porch
Everleigh said good-by at the gate.
The next morning, very early, the
| artist was surprised by a call from
| the rector. The reason was soon eX-
planned. Miss Vincent had received
word from the principal of the school
where she taught, saying her mother
had died, and that if Miss Vincent
would come Immediately to see to the
entering of the new pupils she would
convey the greatest possible favor.
Miss Vincent had left on the early
train and had seemed most anxious
that Mr.. Everleigh should know how
it had happened.
When the artist was alone, he real
lied that the next holiday was very
| far off-an eternity, in fact. But one
thing became quite clear to him: In
week he was going to st. Paul.
Three days later he was about to
walk over TO the rectory, having just
heard that Mr.. Vincent had sprained
| his ankle, whom he was sent for by
| Mr.. Vincent himself in great hurry.
| He found the rector lying on sofa
very pale and with a telegram in his
hand which he silently handed to
| Eyerleigh. II read: Miss Vincent
in - hospital. Injured by blow
on the head from a wagon while saw
ing life of blind woman. Condition
serious. Come at once" 1t was
signed by the resident physician. The
rector looked helplessly from Ever
leigh to his lame foot. The artist
took the old mans hand.
1T may not be so serious after all"
he said. trying to crush down his own
| ..,;n 60
me your card and write my name un-
der yours. have time to make the
next train
In few minutes Everleigh had left
the rectCry and was on his way to
st. Paul Arriving there motor took
him to the hospital without loss OF
time.
He walked quickly up the hospital
steps, and as he did SO he met the
physician in charge.
81 have come to see Miss Vincent
| am her grandfather's representa-
tive" He handed him the rector's
card with his own name underneath.
They have wired Mr.. Vincent that
his granddaughter is dangerously Ill
and It is his request, since he Is laid
up with a sprained ankle, that see
her"
Everleigh's face told the story Of
his great distress and sleepless night
on the train, and the doctor slipped
his hand kindly through his arm be-
fore saying:
Nothing can do her any harm
now she's past all that. It Is only a
question OF few hours"
"Is' there absolutely no hopper"
Everleigh asked
None" answered the doctor, 'un-
less a miracle should happen. II has
been impossible to rouse her from un-
consciousness II we could do that,
II only for moment, there might be
chance"
BY this time they we're at the room.
The doctor beckoned to the nurse,
and sent her on an errand, while he
ard Fverleigh entered the room.
Everleigh went to the bed on which
Law the unconscious form Of the girl
who now meant the whole OF life to
him. He knelt beside her and took
the slim hand. He looked question
ingly at the doctor, whose answering
look seemed to tell him to do as he
pleased Then, with all the stored
up vitality OF months In the fresh air,
and with all the strength and passion
of his great love, he called her, not
loudly, but in a voice that rang.
Miss Vincent, Edith, you cannot
die! | will not let you'll need you
so-can't you see how much? Cant
YOU see your work Is not yet done?
Edith, Edith"
Edith Vincent said afterward that
IL had seemed like a voice calling her
from the far side of a river. And
so imperious were the tones that she
started to walk through the waters
while something held her up so that
she would not drown.
Edith" again his ringing tones.
| The girl moved slightly, then she
opened her eyes.
MIR. Everleigh," she said, Il heard
you calling and | have come" Her
eyes closed again.
The doctor sprang forward and felt
the pulse, then he looked closely into
her face. He turned to the man at
his side.
The miracle has happened" he
said She viii get we'll. She is
asleep"
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