The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1919-12-26

| leWei OF worm ana cOnSthncy. DOL
my wife and myself realize what W.
owe to this poor waif who has en-
deared herself to us as though sh,
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 nj
hour or two and play with them ant
talk with Rhoda and listen to her sing
ing at the piano, for music with Rhoda
was her one great passion. There
never was visit on his part that
phoda did not greet him with beauti'
full, tender flush upon her fair express
siye 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 n
beau-eh, Rhoda?" intimated Mr..
Bruce.
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 a great good friend 10 all Of us.
and he has so encouraged my singing
that it has made me more anxious than
ever to please him."
Early in November Mrs. Bruce, the
children and Rhoda went to the
Florida winter home where the family
snent four months of the year. There
were anticipated happy days in the
pretty bungalow when Mr.. Bruce
should join them later ON. II was just
two weeks before Christmas when Mrs,
Bruce decided to take a trip North and
remain with her husband until tie
holidays, when he would be ready 10
accompany her to Fair villa. II 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. met
him today and told him of our plans
and he was especially pressing in his
inquiries ab6ht Rhoda ! presume he
will be here this evening TO ask YOU
about Rhoda,' hut the young physician
did not materialize as. expected and
the next day the Brucss understood
that he had left the city.
1t was two days before Christmas
when the dreadful news came of the
disaster in the South, Fair villa had
been practically swept of the map;
their winter home had been carried
away by the raging waters, Telegrams
contained vague and distracting de-
tails They had no reason 70 nope
that their loved ones had eScancd 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 had SO trustingly left
them in charge.
ut must he the taxi" spoke Mr.
Bruce arousing with sigh from his
pninfnl reverie as the doorbell rang,
but he crossed the outer threshold to
come face TO face with Doctor Merritt
The manner and words Of the latter
we're Earring o the bruised sensibiti
lies of the bereavcd father, for the
Young physician was ls.diant Of face
His eyes suggested a feiyent eXhilara
ZION as he greeted Mr. Bruce with riot
nus embrace and waved his hand gay
ly to Mrs. Bruce, who had followed hei
husband into the hallway.
"a glad and merry Christmas to
MOTH of you'll" hailed Doctor Merritt
"You haven't heard spoke Mr..
Bruce in a low, reproachful tone.
why. what do you mean?" CUES
toned Doctor Merritt.
THE disaster at Fair Villa-the chill
dren."
Why, bless you'll" fairly shouted
fhe doctor-"they are right herer
Harold Bruce wavered against Tho
wall for support. Mrs. Bruce pttereAI
IL wild scream. Across the threshold
from the porch there rushed littlc
i9tta and her brother JOY, delight,
{, stasy mitigated the shock of what n
first stunned the frantic parents as an
appearance from the dead.
"And last, but not least, she who's,
mission in life seems ever to be tOl
hring healing md hanniness. and love !