Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-04-05

prise Virginia of her fathers accident
returned with the information that
Virginia had left the day before, to
stay with friends, and could not pos
sibly get home till next day. 1t was
decided to telegraph for her; and in
the meantime the doctors advised that
at the new "rectory," and be moved
home next day, after having recovered
some of his lost strength. Mrs. Betty
end Mrs. Burke took turns in watching
by the invalid that night, and it might
have been observed that his eyes re-
NAMED closed, even when he did not
sleep, while Mrs. Burke was in attend
ance, but that he watched Mrs. Betty
with keen curiosity and wonder, from
between half closed lids, as she sat at
the foot Of his bed sewing, or moved
about noiselessly preparing the nour-
ishment prescribed for him by the
doctors, and which the old gentleman
ness and patience.
1t was Mrs. Burke who having learn.
ed Of the time when Virginia was ex-
pected to return home, drove out to
Willow Bluff with Mr.. Bascom, and
assisted in making him comfortable
there before his daughters arrival. He
volunteered no word on their way
thither, but lay back among his cush
IONS and pillows with closed eyes, pale
and exhausted-though the doctors
assured the Maxwells that there was
no cause for anxiety on the score of
his removal, when they urged that he
be left in their care until he had re-
gained more strength.
1t was white and scared Virginia
who listened to Hepsey's account Of
all that had happened-an account
which neither over stated the Bascoms
debt to the Maxwells nor spared Vir-
ginia's guilty conscience.
When she found that her father had
been the guest of the Maxwells and
that they had played the part Of good
Samaritans to him in the tent in
which the Senior Warden had obliged
them to take refuge, she was thor
oughly mortified, and there was a
struggle between false pride and prop
er gratitude.
ut is very awkward, is 1t not, Mrs
BurkeH she said. 81 ought certainly
to call on Mrs. Maxwell and thank her
--but-under the circumstances"
what circumstances" asked Hep
sey.
We'll, you know, it will be very EN-.
barrasSing for me to go to Mr. Max.
wells tent after what has happened
between him and-my father"
"I'm not sure that l catch on, Vir.
ginia. Which happenin' do you mean?
Your fathers cold blooded election of
the MaXwells from their house, or Mr..
Maxwelrs warm blooded sacrifice to
save your fathers life? Perhaps it is
a bit embarrassing, as you call it, to
thank man for givin' his blood TO
save your father"
ut is more personal matter than
that" replied Virginia, gazing dra-
aatically out of the window. "You
don't quite seem to appreciate the del
fcacy of the situation, Mrs. Burke"
mo, I'm blessed if / do. But then
you know Pm very stupid about some
things, Virginia. Fact is, I'm just stu.
pid enough to imagine-no, | mean
think-that it would be the most nat
ural thing in the world to go straight
to the Maxwells and thank 'em for all
they've done for your father in takin'
him in and givin' him the kind of care
that money can't buy. There's spec.
ial reasons that needn't mention why
you should say thank you and say it
right"
Virginia examined the toe Of her
Loot for some time in silence and then
began:
But you don't understand the sit
uation Mrs. Burke"
virginia if you don't stop that kind
of thing, l shall certainly send for the
police. Are you lookin' for a situation +?
If you have got anything to say, say
It,"
well to be frank with you, Mrs.
Burke, must confess that at one time
Mr.. Maxwell and l were supposed to
be very good friends"
Naturally. You ought to be good
friends with your rector. i don't see