The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1919-12-26

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
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 a
beau-eh, Rhoda?" intimated Mr..
Bruce.
"Three times in a 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 1t has made me more anxious than
ever to please him." a
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. It was
q few days after her coming that her
husband said to her: Laura, Doctor
Merritt has fairly haunted the house
evenings since you went away. I 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 of the map
their winter home had been carried
away by the raging waters. kilograms
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 inland 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. ri
ut must be the taxi" spoke Mr.
Bruce, arousing with sigh from his
painful reverie as the doorbell rang
but he crossed the outer threshold te
come face to face with Doctor Merritt
The manner and words Of the latter
were EARRING to the bruised sensible
ties Of the bereaved father. for thu
young physician was radiant Of face
His eyes suggested fervent exhilara
ton as he greeted Mr.. Bruce with riot
GUS embrace and waved his hand gay
~ to Mrs. Bruce, who had followed hel
husband into the hallway.
"A glad and merry Christmas Il
both of you" hailed Doctor Merritt
iubilantly.
t"You haven't heard?" spoke Mr.
Bruce in low, reproachful tone.
"Why, what do you mean? ques
toned Doctor Merritt.
1.-THE disaster at Fair Villa-the chill
, dren."
! "Why, bless you'll" fairly shoutet
the doctor-"they are right here"
Harold Bruce wavered against tn
. wall for support. Mrs. Bruce utteret
wild scream. Across the threshold
o from the porch there rushed littl'
i. Eta and her brother. Joy, delight
i. ecstasy mitigated the shock Of what a
first stunned the frantic parents as al
9 appearance from the dead.
= "And last, but not least, she who's
mission in life seems ever to be t
= bring healing and happiness, and love
O and peace to all those who are dear t
a her!" in a gently reverent tone col
tinued Doctor Merritt, and with S,
e preme satisfaction the young physical
o viewed the five reunited ones in
# maze of embraces, kisses and tear
l. Rhoda, clinging to Mrs. Bruce, hid he
II face in modest confusion, as .Doctc
e Merritt recited her brave battl
against the elements in a great storl
10 upon a battered raft until she ha
% brought the children to safety.
'. "But you, Doctor Merritt?" pr
pounded Mrs. Bruce wonderingly-
"a ''how came you to be at Fair Villa?"