The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-12-10

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 visit on his part that
lthoda did not greet him with beauti-
full, tender flush upon her fair, express
sive face, and one night her kindly
bcnefactOrs indulgcd 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 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."
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 trip North and
remain with her husband until tho
holidays, when he would be ready to
accompany her to Fair villa. 1t was
n 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. / presume he
will be here this evening to ask YOU
about RhnIa," but the young physician
did not matcralzc as expected, and
the next day the Bruccs 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 off the map;
their winter home had been carried
away by the raging waters. Tclegrams
contained vague and distracting de-
tails. They had no reason to hope
that their loved ones had escaped the
general fate Of those who were miss
ing among the former residents Of the
little inlanu town. They were now
ready to 60 South and seek trace of
their two little children and of Rhoda.
in whom they had so trustingly left
them in charge.
ut must be the taxi" spoke Mr..
Bruce, arousing with sigh from his
painful rcverie rs the doorbell rang
but he crossed the outer threshold to
come face to face with Doctor Merritt
The manner and words Of the latter
were jarring to the bruised sensibili-
ties of the bereavcd father, for the
young physician was radiant Of face.
His eyes suggested fcfvent eXhilara.
ton as he greeted Mr. Bruce with riot.
Gus embrace and waved his hand gay.
ly to Mrs. Bruce, who had followed hcr
husband into the hallway.
"a glad and merry Christmas to
Doth of you'll" hailed Doctor Merritt
iubilantly.
"You haven't heard7" spoke Mt
Bruce in a low, rcproachful tone.
"Nhy, what do you meanT ques.
toned Doctor Merritt.
"rhe disaster at Fair Villa-the chill.
dren"
"Why, bless you'll" fairly shouted
the doctor-"thcy are right here!'
Harold Bruce wavased against the
wall for support. Mrs. Bruce uttered
WILD scream. Across the threshold
from the porch there rushed little
Eta and her brother. Joy, delight,
ecstasy mitigated the shock Of what at
first stunned the frantic parents as an
appearance from the dead
"And LIST, but not least, she whose
mission In life seems ever to be to
bring healing and happiness, and love,
and peace to all those who are dear to
her!" in gently rcvercnt tone con.
tinucd Doctor Merritt. and with SUI
premc satisfaction the young physician
viewed the five reunited ones in a
maze OF embraces, kisses and tears.
Rhoda, clinglnG TO Mrs. Bruce, hid her
face in modest confusion, as Doctor
Merritt rccitcd her brave battle
against the elements in q great storm
upon battered raft until she had
brought the children to safety.
"But you, Doctor Mcrritt?" pro-
pounded Mrs. Bruce wondcringly-
"how came you to be at Fair Villa?"
IL arrived there after the disaster"
was the reply III had gone there on
specific mission, later executed, to ask
our peerless Rhoda, queen OF all wom-
ankind, to become my wife," and as
Rnol0 pytpp1od bar hand hn royorod