The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-12-06
The Little Stranger
BY BEULAH ARLINGTON


i'll his ministrations and had presented
a bill for services so moderate that.
While Grace felt grateful. there were
misgivings. as to, the motives of the
young physician. $3.50 NJ l..
lie has certainly favored US, ia
tber," said Grace, "and yet it would
lrumiliate me If thought he felt It is
his duty to help US along during our
present poverty, which is certainly
acute" ..-s H.. ssa. ~.. ~, j.
You mistake DR.. Roberts" declared
Mr.. Lexington. Remember, you acted
as a nurse to his sick mother when he
could get no one else, and he says you
we're quite as efficient as a graduated
professional" #t.
But he paid me more than literally
for my time" submitted Grace.
And feels as grateful for what you
did as we do for the way he is treating
US. Don't be too sensitive, Grace He
is a humane, kind spirited gentleman
and recognizes in US people who I'm
derstand and appreciate him." . .Ee
If the Levingtons were in money
straits and barely able to get along
with what Grace earned as a district
his financial troubles as well. He had
made a mistake in settling at Bromp-
ton, for there We're already two doc
tors there. Each held the clientele of a
social clique and the newcomer throve
poorly. If it were not for patients he
Cndeared who needed charitable as
sistance and other good work that
came his way, he would have removed
the second year he began in debt and
with little profitable practice. .
Once Il year the big circus came.
The event meant something to
Grace, as pretty q lass as the town
held. She was eighteen, deeply devot-
cd To her aged father and mother and
a thrifty and expert hOusekeeper. Mrs.
Lexington had a small annuity and
this with q stipend her husband earned
as town clerk, with Grace's earnings
was all they had TO depend upon for an
income. When the circus came it al
ways spread its canvas upon the lot
next to the humble home of the Lev
ingtons. One season Grace happened
10 do some mending for some of the
Lady equestriennes and the following
season they remembered her and gave
Ter some additional work.
Again the big show came, and the
Is;9ai gal lady members OF the circus
troup this time brought not only their
own apparel, but a sweet faced little
Gin of nine for whom they asked Grace
To 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
ler questions as to her part in the per-
Torrance. 1t seemed that little Leona
was the infant prodigy of the show.
She had been taught 10 ride bare back
horses and do a trapeze stunt, and
with one so small and graceful this
Won her great plaudits. .-
Grace overheard two of the circus
women speak of Leona. 1t seemed that
her mother had been an equestrienne
before her. but had died in an acct
dent. The father, a coarse, brutal fell
low given to continual dissipation held
a contract with the circus people as
to Leona and lived upon her earnings.
1t was said that Leona had a wealthy
grandfather who would gladly have
taken her in charge, but the merce-
nary father refused to allow the subsi-
dence of his income gained through
the child's hard work.
Grace was sewing when late that
evening she was shocked by heavy foot
steps and excited voices at the door,
and opened it to be confronted by
three men who bore the MANNED and
insensible form of little Leona. The
child had fallen under the feet of
horse, had been trodden on and was a
cripple for life. 81 80 . ssr.
The proprietor of the circus gave
Grace some money and asked her TO
send for a doctor The father of little
Leona came once to see her, and
shrugged his shoulders as he dis
claimed any further responsibility as
to her care, and departed with the cir
Gus folks.
Grace practically adopted the little
sufferer and DR.. Roberts gave to her
the full benefit of his professional skill.
BS the end OF SIX months Leona was
able to get about, but would always
limp, Dr. Roberts said. The mutual
interest in the child drew, the doctor
ana Grace in closer harmony of spirit,
and had his practice increased he
would have asked Grace to share his
l16t, poor and humble though it was.
Che day there appeared a stranger. "a
igefTeyoient faced old manszwho am
nounced himself as the grandfather of
iittle Leona. 80 liz
81 learned of her accident and aban-
donment by her unnatural father only
;gweek ago" he said. II wiz be glad to
take the child and provide for her the
bhst in life" -
sBut when the grandparent saw how.
content Leona< was with her new
friends he changed his purpose.