Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-08-14

tCopyrishi. 1918. ~ the western Sews-
paper union)
Miss Eleanor Radcliffe was cher
ished as an institution of GRANVILLE.
She had rented one OF the best resi-
denceS in the town, seemed 10 have
plenty of money. engaged two servants
and led a quiet routine life. responding
TO all calls for public welfare or char
ity, but mixing little with the people.
There had been "a hint that, serene
faced and cheerful a. she was Miss
Radcliffe had sought seclusiOn because
of disappointment in love. Nobody
knew the detais-it was all rumOr and
gossip. but it was current that "A man
she regarded with affectOnate devo-
ton had married another. Certainly,
with her fair. expressive face and win
ming manner, sne was worthy of inter-
ested attention, nut she i'm no way en-
couraged 1t and her secret was her
own.
Miss Radcliffe was Il great lover of
animal pets. At the first she kept two
beautiful colies. but one was poisoned
and the other run over by Il wagon. \
handsome hgh-bred cat was next
adopted. but some one stole the animal
and lts successor was short-livcd.
"Well. what do you Think" eXclaim-
ed neghbor 10 the next-door resi-
dent "AIisS Radcliffe has new pet
IA baby -
For mercys sake WhoseF
"Nobody knows She went away
Monday and came back Wednesday
with the child--a little girl about two
years old
There's mystery here. and ro-
nance" was darkly suggested; but
the gossips got no further with their
surmses and curiosity. Miss Rad
cliffe engaged nurse and the little
child became the object Of her tender
care. Then Miss Radcliffe was report
ed going TO distance on the train
each week. Finally there was an ex-
PLANTATION. A visiting relative OF
Mrs. Rose happened 10 see Miss Rad
cliffe pass the house.
"Why, know that lady" he de-
clared shes the one who bought q
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 Il
month later the man who had spoken
Of the Hermitage revisited GRANVILLE.
well. those Radcliffe folks have set
tied down AT the Hermitage" he said,
land just as secret and exclusive as
ever They've taken in new mem
Der of the famlly-a woman The doc
tor goes there regularly to attend her
and hear that she is out of her
mind"
what mixup," was the vigorous
comment
II was indeed "miXup' TO all save
Miss Radcliffe What a story she
could have told. If so inclined What
heart history, tender. sad, involving
disappointment, sacrifice and the full
fllment of duty grandly, unselfishly
and sincerely Eleanor Radcliffe had
mouIned when Warren Lee had mar
rled Esther Naile. Then she had re-
moved To GRANVILLE. Later she learned
that the woman he had married had
become frivolous hayward woman,
whose extravaganza had driven him to
use money placed in his trust. He had
been prosecuted and sentenced 70 a
term In Il penal institution. Eleanor
learned that his wife had become in
sane and their little one was les 70
the cold charity of the world. A
mighty impulse had swayed her She
had gone after the child and then the
affection of the demented wife, TOO,
appealed 10 her and She had assumed
n new burden.
For over year Eleanor Radcliffe
devoted her life 10 little Leila and her
invalid mother. Gradually the woman
faded away. The only letter Eleanor
had ever written to Lee was Whiting
for him the day ne WAS released from
prison II bude him come to friends
m the Hermitage" He was electrified
when ne was shown into the presence
of his first love. His head bent loNv,
his fears 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 mast 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 nj the end of the week
came Warren Lee. lie was like be-
ing dumbed by conception of the
service Of this peerless being.
you are 10 have the Hermitage for
your own and for little Leila" she told
him. Until YOU are strong enough
again 10 face the world. you must al
low me TO be your friend"
And you?" he quavered.
"Wili be- happy i'm knowing that
you will nobly redeem the past
shall 90 back TO my lonely life regret
ting little Leila. but oh! infinitely glad
that have helped YOU and yours"
He sought her ont six months later.
A relative had placed him once more
ON his feet financially. Little Leila
was with him. II was while she was
clinging to her dear aunty," that War
rem asked Eleanor 10 bless them with
her continual presence There was