Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-11-29

heard the sound Of SOMEONE chopin
wood and wIiiatIlne e1eeriIg In The
bnck gard Of Gideon Blake. distant
relative Of his wife Tracy reached
the fence and hailed Blake across It.
II say, you seem Immensely happy.
neighbour he called out.
sH~'ol Huirahl Glad to see you
back, add Verda viii be gIadder.
Happy3 should say was. ! sup
pose Yerda didn't want to worry you
about It. but the three children have
all been down wiz scarlet fever. Ny
wife was sick ia bed and verda gave
up everything and was with us until
a week ago. She saved two OF the
little ones the doctor had given up.
Happyi / could CRY for JOY to think
that dear, sweet little woman has
pulled rs through. You know
couldn't afford q nurse not q stroke
OF work for six weeks-bEt II Il was
only bread and water. none Of Us
would complain, all well again and all
together"
Tracy brakes eyes Frightened "a
soul-warming impulse stirred him. He
lifted the turkey over the fence.
-verda win be glad, too he whls-
pered to himself.
Blake" he said, &is quite a casual
tone, i've brought you turkey from
the country to celebrate your fortu-
nate convalescence."
TBut-ls demonstrated Blake, and
Tracy airiiy waved the other bag. with
the words; -Ohi we've got our full
portion. Goodbye. and good luck"
and Tracy pursued HIS way.
ooh. Drnkel" suddenly called Blake
after him. "A man in blue auto was
at the corner grocery yesterday. the
storekeeper told me, making all sorts
OF inquiries about you and yerda.
Thought ia tell you.r
why. this Is getting positively mys-
terious, this inquisitive stranger with
the blue aus" runinated Tracy, and
then he hastcned his pace ns home
came In sight. He momentarily
thought only Of verda. but the mystic.
the eerie. pursued. In front OF the
house wns--a blue autoi
Tracy ran UP the steps. He heard
a vnst hustle and shutting beyond the
door. II opened and verda was In bis
arms. She drew him into the room.
"And you didn't forget to bring me
the real apples from a real tree That
you promised mel" she cried. discover
ing the bag. the flrst ecstacies Of wei
come over and clapping her hands,
pleased az a little child.
-And nutn, and pears, and Oh.
Yerda there was a big, beautiful tur-
key. too. but met poor Blake and /
thought he needed Il most
"You blessed man r. cried Yerda.
throwing her arms around his neck.
1--WE can afford chicken. though"
began Tracy.
EMO aeed," declared vcrda. ssee
there"
She threw open the kitchen door.
Tracy Drake stared. II was loaded
with q pumpkin. a Jar o. mince meat,
fruits. q plum padding. fnil compile
ment for a royal holiday feast.
why. verda where did you get al
that" began Tracy.
II brought r." spoke a speedy voice
from the pantry, and there appeared
the owner OF the blue auto
"Fatherr' exclaimed Tracy. hope
fully. but doubt
''I'yc necn investigating both ~
you,T , 0ceeded John Drake. graaping
his syns hand warmly. q got ionr-
sorr = and I'm going 10 stay here For
,lay or two. and tomorrow. boy, wen
rendiusi ourselves and ser yon started
In life as you deserve. Yours a bet
ter man than nm, son, aud ! am
eshamed u my narrownese. And al
20 this Jewel Of wife Of yours" aud
tho old man completed his exordium
by gathering yerda IN his arms and
kissing her on both checks.