The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-06-26
A WoMAN'S TOUCH.
by JACK LAYTON.

cho WIS reviewing ItIle sally the
events of fast changing year, when
misfortune had followed misfortune
until she had been obliged to close
her own home and dispense with the
companionship of the old nurse who
had in her loneliness become her
friend. Then Delight, In quest OF nee
essnry employment, had answered
strange advertisement.
There were so few things that her
home life had fitted her to do the un-
usual advertisement seemed to have
been especially written for herself.
Duncan Reynolds Of 1.-THE Towers"
required the services of young wom-
an who could give to his great abode
the home atmosphere
"I've servants enough" he said, land
good housekeeper. but the place Is
like an institution. / want" Delight
fancied that the shrewd eyes softened
II want a wOman's touch, the right
kind Of flowers on the table, the sound
Of piano at night maybe-Pm glad
that you have applied for the position"
With her arms folded now on the
fence rail Delight marveled that she
had become an inmate and necessary
inmate Of the great mansion on which
she had looked with awe since the
days Of her childhood.
The erratic old gentleman who was
Its occupant and owner had been re-
garded as a sort Of ogre then.
The old nurse had told to Delight
weird tales of the great house on the
hili-how. long ago, maidens had
feared the wealthy and handsome
young Duncan as a sutton, because of
his uncomfortable temper; and how
at last he had gone upon long visit,
returning with beautiful, gentle
bride, who had lived but n few years
like n prisoner behind the great house
bars.
Delight looking up TO the center
the gentle lady her nurse had de-
s"ribed, and wondered If it was this
womans touch which the lonely man
had missed throughout these years.
Last night Duncan Reynolds had
searched her face with questioning
eyes.
"Why didn't you marry?" he asked
with his usual brusqueness.
why" Delight had stammered, 81
really don't know"
you will make some man happy"
he had said, and his rare smile erased
the lines of tiredness from his face !;
edo not miss your opportunity when it
comes. My life has been one of dis
appointment. First / lost my wife,
whom l have never ceased to love.
Then the little girl. My daughter
would have been about your age"
"Oh! / did not know" Delight
sympathized, "that you had lost a
daughter"
and son." the old man added
sharply.
And as she stood reviewing her year
with its unexpected paths, she yearned
to restore TO him In his loneliness the
Joy he had known and lost. And she
wondered little wistfully If the hap
piness he spoke of would ever be her
own.
Then suddenly Delight was reused
from her musings. A horse, tearing
down the twisting road, reared wildly
and tossed from its saddle man who
lay stunned for mOment-at her feet.
Instantly she had slipped under the
bars and was lifting the injured mans
head, when his eyes opened, looking
up at her.
Nothing seems to hurt but my
ankle" the young man said at last.
"If you can bear my weight on your
shoulder I'll try to stand up and see
how bad that is"
pretty bad" he gasped, white
Tipped after the effort.
"You had better rest back on the
ground" Delight suggested, while
run over to The Towers and send a
groom to help YOU"
1.-THE Towers ~ the young man ex.
claimed, what are you doing therer'
His suffering was so evident that
she ignored the rudeness and answered
his question.
81 am sure they will look after you
over at The Towers" she added kind
ly, "if you will let me go for help"
us the great master there as savage
as ever?" the young man asked.
"Mr. Reynolds is not savage at all"
Delight Indignantly retorted; 'he Is
lonely old man who has acquired
understanding through sorrow"
She told Duncan Reynolds of their
enforced guest that evening.
'They have put him in the blue
ROOM" she said; "the doctors said his
injury would not permit him To h.
moved further"
Impatiently her employer turned -
descend the stairs. Long after sh"
heard him calling to her from the hall :
Delight wondered, as she responded
ut the change in the old mans face.
It's grim lines seemed all at once 10
have changed to tenderness.
"The young man up there" he sal!
slowly, "is my son; we Quarreled years