The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-07-19
75fe 5
Path Of DUTY 5
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ByJEssIE ETHEL sHERWIN Z
49, - ; y : !. : : : : -. =.
Copyright, 1919, By the Western News
paper Jnion.)

she naQ rented one OF Jne pest resi-
dences in the town seemed to have
plenty Of money. engaged two servants
and led quiet routine life, responding
to all calls for public welfare or char
Ity, but mixing little with the people.
There had been q hint that serene
faced and cheerful as she was, Miss
Radcliffe had sought seclusion because
Of a disappointment In love. Nobody
knew the details-it was all rumOr and
gossip, but it was current that a man
she regarded with affectiOnate devO-
tion had married another Certainly,
with her fair, expressive face and win
ming manner, she was worthy Of inter
ested attention, put she in no way en-
cOuraged it and her secret was her
own.
Miss Radcliffe was Il great lover Of
animal pets At the first she kept two
beautiful collies, but one was poisoned
and the other run over by a wagon. A
handsome high-brcd cat was next
adopted, but some one stole the animal
and its successor was short-lived
"Well, what do you think?" eXciaim-
ed a neighbor to the neXt-door resi-
dent. Miss Radcliffe has a new pet
a babyw
For mercys sake! Whose|
Nobody knows She went away
Monday and came back Wednesday
with the child-a little girl about two
years old"
There's a mystery here, and rO-
nance was darkIy suggested; but
the gossips got no further with their
surmises and curiosity. Miss Rad
CIiffe engaged n nurse and the little
child became the object Of her tender
care Then Miss Radcliffe was report
ed going to a distance on the train
each week. Finally there was an eX-
PLANTATION. A visiting relative Of
Mrs. Rose happened to see Miss Rad
cliffe pass the house
"Why, | know that LADY," he de-
clared. "She's the one who bought
place called the Hermitage.
A few weeks later Miss Radcliffe,
the baby, nurse and the servants left
GRANVILLE for good and took possession
of their new island home. About
month later the man who had spoken
of the Hermitage revisited GRANVILLE.
"Weu those Radcliffe folks have set
tied down at the Hermitage" he said,
"and just as secret and exclusive as
ever. They've taken in a new mem
Der Of the family-a woman. The doe
tor goes there regularly to attend her
and / hear that she is out of her
mind"
''What a mixup!" was the vigorous
comment.
1t was indeed a "miXup" to all save
Miss Radcliffe. What a story she
could have told, if so inclined What
a heart history, tender, sad, involving
disappointment, sacrifice and the full
fillment of a duty grNndly, unselfishly
and sincerely! Eleanor Radcliffe had
mourned when Warren Lee had mar
red Esther Vale. Then she had re-
moved to GRANVILLE. Later she learned
that the woman he had married had
become Il frivolous, wayward woman,
whose extravaganza had driven him to
use money placed in his trust. He had
been prosecuted and sentenced to a
term in penal institution. Eleanor
learned that his wife had become in
sane and their little one was left to
the cold charity of the world. A
mighty impulse had swayed her. She
had gone after the child, and then the
afflictiOn of the 'demented wife, too,
appealed to her and she had assumed
new burden.
For over year Eleanor Radcliffe
devoted her life to little Leila and her
invalid mother. Gradually the woman
faded away. The only letter Eleanor
had ever written to Lee was waiting
for him the day he was released from
prison. Il bade him come TO friends
at the Hermitage" He was electrified
when he was shown into the presence
OF his first love. His head bent low.
his tears fell as he listened to the
plain, clear story of all that Eleanor
had done for him and his wife and
child. He was too broken down TO
speak. Oh, how she must have loved
him. Suddenly the nurse entered the
room.
miss Radcliffe" she spoke, In her
trained, subdued way. Mrs. Lee has
passed away"
To his dead wife and his child FL
eanor left the crushed husband and
father. She removed to the town
hotel. Thither at the end OF the week
came Warren Lee. He was like q be-
ing dumbed by a conception OF the
service OF this peerless being.
'YOu are TO have the Hermitage for
your own and for little Leila" She told
him. Until you are strong enough
again TO face the world. you must al.
low me TO be your friend"
"And your" he Quavered.
"Wrl be happy in knowing that
you will nobly redeem the past.
shall go back to my lonely life, regret
ting little Leila, but oh! infinitely glad
that have helped you and yours"
He sought her out six months later.
A relative had placed him once more