Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-12-31
The Little Stranger
By BEULAH ARLINGTON

'her or DIR. Guy Roberts. who had AT
tended The invalid through a serious
siege OF sickness, had been successful
III ms mintstrations and had presented
Oil FOR services so moderate that.
while Grace felt grateful, there were
misgivings as TO, the motives of the
young physician.
He has certainly favored us. III.
tner, said Grace. land yet 1t would
huinilinte me IL thought he felt It Is
MS duty to help US along during our
present poverty. which is certainly
acute"
You mistake DR.. Roberts" declared
Mr.. Lexington. Remember you acted
Az nurse to his sick mother when he
couid get 40 one else, and he saws YOU
were quite rs efficient as II graduated
professional"
but he puid me more thnn Uberally
for my time" submitted Grace.
And feels rs grateful for what you
did as we do for the way he is treating
nS. Don't be too sensitive, Grace. He
is humane, kind spirited gentleman
ana recognizes In us people who un-
uerstapd and appreciate him"
II the LeviEgtons were in money
strntts and barely able to get along
with what Grace earned as a district
school teacher, DR.. Guy Roberts had
MS financial troubles as well. He had
made mistake In settling at Bromp-
Ton, Tor there were already two doc
tors there. Each held the clientele of a
social clique and the newcomer throye
poorly. II It were not for patients he
endeared who needed charitable as
sistnnce and other good work that
came his way. he would have removed
the second year he Begin in debt and
with little profitable practice.
: Once year the big circus came.
Ihe event meant something to
Grace. as pretty lnss as the town
held. She was eighteen, deeply devot-
ed to her aged father and mother and
thrifty and expert housekeeper. Mrs.
Lexington had small annuity and
this with stipend her husband earned
MS town clerk. with Grace's earnings,
was nll they had to depend UPON for an
income. When the circus came ii al
ways spread its canvas upon the lot
next TO the humble home Of the Lev
instons. One season Grace happened
10 do some mending for some Of the
lady equestricnnes and the following
season they remembered her and guve
her some additional work.
Again the big show came, and the
pr0uigai lady members OF the circus
group this time brought not only their
own apparel, but a sweet faced little
girl OF nine for whom they asked Grace
10 repair part Of her wardrobe. They
called her Leona, and Grace was in
love with her as she sat watching her
at the sewing machine and answering
her questions as to her part in the per-
formancc. 1t seemed that little Leona
was the iafant prodigy Of the show.
She had been taught to ride bare back
horses md do O trapeze stunt. and
with one SO small and graceful this
won her great piaudits.
Grace overheard two OF the circus
women speak Of i.eona. It seemed that
her mother had been IN eQuestricnne
before her, but had died in an acct
dent. The father. coarse, brutal fell
low given to continual dissipation. held
contract with the circus people as
"a.
II was said that Leona had q wealthy
grandfather who would gladly have
taken her in charge. but the MERGE
fary father refused to allow the subsi-
dcnce OF fis income gained through
tho Chiid'S hard work.
Grace was sewing when iatc that
evening Size was shocked by heavy foot
steps AMI excited voices at the door,
aud opened il to be confronted By
Uirrc men who bore the manned and
iUscDsbic form Of little Leona. The
chiid had fullcn under the feet OF
horse. he'd been tro:ldcn On and was q
cripple for life.
The proprietor of the circus gave
Grace soWc money and asked her to
send for doctor. The father of little
tGoru came once To see her. and
Shrugged his shoulders as hc dis.
claimed my (Irthcr responsibility us
20 !.rr cnIc, and departed with the cir
,rus folks.
Grace practically adopted The little
.@ufrrcr and Dr. Roberts gave 20 her
7hn fall benefit OF his professional skin.
~ the ord Of six months Lcuna was
.nh'e 10 get about. but would always
limp, Or. Roberts said. The mutual
interest in the child drew the doctor
NEd Grace in closer harmony Of spirit.
and had his practice increased he
would have asked Grace to share his
lot. poor and humble though II was.
One dry there appeared stranger a
benevolent faced old man who an-
nonnced himself as the grandfather Of
little LeOna.
II learned Of her accident and abnn-
donmcnt by her unnatural father only