The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-30
THE. d AL
ST 0R7 STORY
leopyrIght lslg. y the Meolure

y yotng Dr. Case when he e1-
plained the situation. At the same
lime there was a faint suggestion ina.
de was holding something back that
he did not care to tell.
am sure, Miss Thatcher" the doc.
tor said that here in this splendid
home % yours In this beautiful valley
craiF VIM bejhappy and will find HIM
se4 he is harmless just little out
81 hIs head All you have to do Is to
keep him interested keep him from
bfoodiig. He Is q fine specimen OF
manhood except for the bee in his bon
net
Rena awaited with interest the COM
ine Of Craig. She had had nurses
training; and her professional instinct
vas aroused.
Dr. Case brought Craig the next
day Rena thought as she took him in
charge that he certainly was hand
some fellow. Deep -chested, broad
slonIdered, he seemed physically SO
strong that no mental trouble could
CAIN him as 1t evidently had done.
his eyes were puzzle. She saw them
res upon her with look Of approval
that would have aroused her wrath Z
the glance came from q normal man.
Treat him as you would child,
Miss Thatcher" the doctor said calmly
toher in front of him. Hes harm
less Just about half there. He'll do
Whatyou say"
The old colonial residence, which
had been the home of her people Tor
generations, was attraCtiyely situated;
and she. began her = guardianship by
taking him along the lovely roads.
He was both amusing and entertain
ing BE would get his coat on wrong
side ont He combed his hair in weird
ways Until she took charge OF the
somb!ng herself; and she conbed and
arranged the thick, wayy, rebelltous
ocks with as much pleasure as she
would have experimental with the
ittfaotiye hair of child. His mental
rouble appeared clearly in his con-
Yersation. He would talk coherently
inough for a space and then suddenly
MOOT on into some foreign subject.
So the da3s went by. She scolded
i'm, praised him and petted him as she
would q child, but she could find no
waySto aid him. She watched him one
lay while; dressed for work, he was
sroomthg one Of the horses which he
particularly favored.
what q lover he would make for
iome girl, she thought to herself be-
ore she realized what she was think
M If he were only normal"
AnotIef week passed. DR.. Case came
Ind She reported. "As much of fool
+ IS ever, the doctor said brutally IN
lront 81 his patient. I'm not surprised.
i used 10 think he was half-baked
when he seeemd TO be normal -
She canl at a gleam in the dark eyes
, her patient Hush" she interrupt
s. Case, he understands what you are
saying
eOh, no, the doctor replied. HE
may look intelligent, but he isn't"
The physician decided to leave him
with her for another week. 1t was an
unusual one. Little things came up
during their strolls together that com
bfned 10 startle her for moment.
Craig in his strange way was clearly
falling In love with her The thought
amused her and at the same time
aroused her pity. She had slipped her
arm through his to guide him, and she
soon found that he would not let her
withdraw It. She found 1t necessary
II times to show him his place" quiet
n but fetcetu1ly.
Just about the same time that she
S,fnP
his eyes and the meaning Of his ways
toward her, she made another discov-
cry that puzzled her. He had slipped
away from her, and learning where
he had gone, she followed him. She
found him chatting with hunter, and
listening from her cover, she caught
IA his conyersation no hint Of the I'M
balanced mind he assuredly did pos
sess. When she rescued him and
turned homeWard, however, the illogi-
cal thought began.
That night he was called to the tele-
phone, She thought 1t strange enough,
and the wonder deepened when he
turned from the phone and said to
her. Lets 50 for stroll, Rena."
She agreed willingly enough, for she
had come to enjoy the walks with him
--eTen 70 fancy that she was walking
With sane and normal man whom
She more than pitied or liked.
When they reached the river road
and the light breeze brought to them
the fragrant perfume Of the southern
lowers he caught her hand suddenly
and drew Il under his arm, She thought
nothing OF the act, for 1t had long been
iamiliar But she was dumfounded
when he stopped suddenly and turned
to her.
Hang ii! can't wait any longer!"
be said as e to himself Then
She found herself drawn BY strong
arms close toshini-in 9 strong mans
grasp which she had never known, She
ras frightenedi but she kept control
ol herself
Harvey, you mustn't do that, Please
let me go Wen walk on to the falls.
Pleases
The arms tightened She turned her
face on his shoulder until she could
see his, he was smiling, and there
was some odd change In II. His voice
as he went on was full OF emotion.
She trembled is she listened,
Ny dear girl forgot that Case
and have been deceivtng you. have
been making believe was dippy. /
bad ton The best friends Of mine tried
10 save fine business from being
aInIou from an nd aladv nv a pair OF