The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-05-19

viving relative Is alive. I shall try
this Rufus Paxton as a last forlorn
hope" and Brodie went his way. He
was by no means assured that he
would find Rufus Paxton when he
reached Brookville. His informant had
stated that it was some time since he
had heard Of Paxton, who was old,
poor and in distressed circumstances
generally. His had been the story
about Paxtons wife being broken
down and his son an invalid. To his
surprise, when Brodie reached the
home of the Paxtons, he found himself
at the gate Of the prettiest home IN
the place. Upon it's porch was white
haired old man. who nodded with smil'
ing expectancy as Brodie asked If he
was Mr.. Rufus Paxton. Near to him,
sewing, was a lovely-faced old lady,
and before little table covered with
books was young man whose pallor
and delicate frame suggested the con-
flrmed invalid. Brodie stated his mis-
sion. The brow Of the old man
clouded.
Arthur Wagner he repeated HE
died over a year ago."
Brodie sighed drearily. Here was
the end Of his quest. He was lonely
man, indeedl As he viewed the three
happy-faced. peaceful-eyed persons be-
fore him he envied them, their rare
contentment.
The old man was curious and In part
| Brodie explained his mission. "You
are a good man to think Of trying to
do good to Others" he commented sin.
cerely. II know something Of what
1t Is to be at the verge Of the deepest
despair. There comes the blessed an
gel of mercy who brought to US the
sunlight Of hope and joy!"
As he spoke the old man came to his
feet with glowing eyes, and the face OF
his wife was irradiated with the ten
deFness Of great love. Both en-
braced and kissed lovely, graceful
girl who came up the steps and whom
the invalid soon greeted with brother
ly attention.
"This is Viola Briefly, sir" intro
duced Mr.. Paxton, and there was pride
and pleasure in his tones. She seemed
to infuse the entire household with
new vitality. Even Brodie felt the
magic Of her power, and the magnetic
eyes Of the young girl beamed upon
him as briefly Mr.. Paxton told Of his
search for his relatives.
| fuv1koH hfv, %o $oa ouA aA&1~
ward Paxton told him something OF
the young lady whom they had come
to regard like a real daughter Of their
| own.
| "Her father was my oldest friend
recited the old man. >"After years OF
patient struggle and hard work he IN.
herited some twenty thousand dollars
| Unexpectedly. It came too late; he
was dying. He directed Viola to come
to US. to provide for us and make oui
last days happy. Oh. SIR! She has
placed us in comfort where there wa,
deprivation and suffering. More thar
that, she is the practical head Of every
charitable movement IN the district
She has already freely devoted mos,
OF her fortune to that work and only
wisheS she had more to uplift the
needy ones"
That was only the first visit Of Nor
man Brodie to what attracted him as
the loveliest home he had ever entered
| It charmed him to study the character
of the gentle, sympathetic girl who
had sacrificed all she possessed tc
make others happy. Then Brodie real.
ICED that his life's mission was directly
at hand. The little plans Of Viola be.
came large plans as he encouraged
and amplifled them. Within a month
he was immersed in a new life thai
made existence blessing.
81 have found a relative at last
he wrote to Robert Penwell somewhat
later-"nearer and dearer than eve,
anticipated-a WIFE,"
A anoaxin0 1fkenoSS IN s,,px,o,aA 4.