The Tomahawk., 1919-12-18

Jewel of worth and constancy. Both
my wife and myself realize what we
owe to this poor waif who has en-
deared herself to us as though she
were our own daughter"
Doctor Merritt proved his expressed
sentiments by very often visiting the
Bruce home after that. The children
loved him and he would drop in for an
hour or two and play with them and
talk with Rhoda and listen to her sing
ing at the piano, for music with Rhoda
was her one great passion. There
never was a visit on his part that
Rhoda did not greet him with beauti-
full, tender flush upon her fair, express
sive face, and one night her kindly
benefactors INDUCED in playful badi-
mage when she accompanied Doctor
Merritt to the door.
doctor Merritt has become quite
beau-eh, Rhoda?" intimated Mr..
Bruce. 1
Three times IN week." spoke Mrs.
Bruce. "Rhoda dear, he is loyal
chevalier."
"Please DON'T" pleaded Rhoda, look
ing serious, shy and embarrassed. HE
is only great good friend to all OF us,
and he has so encouraged my singing
that it has made me more anxious than
ever to please him." &1. %
Early in November Mrs. Bruce, the
children and Rhoda went to the
Florida winter home where the family
spent four months Of the year. There
were anticipated happy days In the
pretty bungalow when Mr. Bruce
should join them later on. 1t was just
two weeks before Christmas when Mrs.
Bruce decided to take. a trip North and
remain with her husband until the
holidays. when he would be ready to
accompany her to Fair Villa. 1t was
a few days after her coming that her
husband said to her: Laura, Doctor
Merritt has fairly haunted the house
evenings since you went away. l met
him today and told him of our plans'
and he was especially pressing in his
Inquiries about Rhoda. I presume he
will be here this evening to ask you
about Rhoda," but the young physician
did not. materialize as expected, and
the next day the Bruces UNDERSTOOD
that he had left the city.
It was two days before Christmas
when the dreadful news came of the
disaster in the South. Fair Villa had
been practically swept off the map {;
their winter home had been carried
away by the raging waters. Telegrams
contained vague and distracting de-
tails. They had no reason to nope
that their loved ones had escaped the
general fate of those who were miss
ing among the former residents OF the
little inland town. They were now
ready to go South and seek trace OF
! their two little children and of Rhoda,
in whom they bad so trustingly left
them in charge.
1T must be the taxi" spoke Mr..
Bruce, arousing with a sigh from MS
nainful reverie as the doOrbell rang,
hut he crossed the outer threshold to
come face to face with Doctor Merritt.
| The manner and words Of the latter
were iarring to the bruised sensiblll-
ties of the bereaved father, for the
young physician was radiant of face
His eyes suggested a fervent exhilara'
ton as he greeted Mr.. Bruce with riot
ous embrace and waved his hand gay
" to Mrs. Bruce, who had followed her
husband into the hallway. -
"a glad and merry Christmas to
both of you!" hailed Doctor Merritt
| iubilantly.
"You haven't heard" spoke Mr.
Bruce in a low, reproachful tone.
"Why, what do you meanT ques'
toned Doctor Merritt.
"The disaster at Fair Villa-the chill
dren." 49,.
"Why, bless you!" fairly shouted
the tloctor-.'they are right here!"
Harold Bruce wavered against the
wall for support. Mrs. Bruce uttered
a wild scream. Across the threshold
from the porch there rushed little
Eta and her brother. Joy, delight
ecstasy mitigated the shock Of what al
| first stunned the frantic parents as an
appearance from the dead.
"And last, but not least, she whose
| mission in life seems ever to be tt
bring healing and happiness, and love