The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-02-10
The Little Stranger
By BEuLAH ARLINGTON

Lexington used % speaking 20 her In
ther Of Or Guy Roberts. who had at
tended the invalid through q serious
siege OF sickness. had been successful
IN his mlnlstrations end had presented
bill for services "a moderate that.
while Grace felt grsteful. there we're
misgivings as 20 the motives Of the
young physician.
@Iie has certainly favored Us. ia
Their, said Grace, "and yet IL would
humiliate me II thought he felt 1t Is
his duty 10 help Us along during our
lpresent poverty which is certainly
acute"
You mistake DIR. Roberts" declared
{ Mr. Lexington Remember, you acted
as a nurse to bis SICK mother when he
could get no one else. and he says you
were quite as efficient as a graduated
/ professional"
But be 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 un-
| defstand aud appreciate him."
| Ii the Leyingtons were In money
straits and barely able 10 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 were already two doe
tors there Each held the clientele of
social clique and the newcomer throye
poorly. II 1t were not FOR patients he
endeared 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 year the big circus came
The event meant something TO
Grace, as pretty lass as the town
held. She WAS eighteen, deeply deyot-
ed 10 her aged father and mother and
a thrifty and expert housekeeper Mrs.
Lexington had small annuity and
this with a stipend her husband earned
as town clerk. with Grace's earnings,
was all they had 10 depend upon for an
income When the circus came IL al
ways spread its canvas upon the lot
next 20 the humble home Of the Lev
ingtons. one season Grace happened
TO do some mcnding for some Of the
lady eauestriennes aud the following
season theg remembered her and gave
her some additional work.
Again the big show came, and The
prualga lady members OF the circus
group This time brought not only their
own apparel but 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-
Torrance II seemed that little Leena
was the infant prodigy Of the show.
She had been taught to ride bare back
horses and do a trapeze stunt, and
with one so small and graceful this
won hef great plauuitS.
Grace overheard two of the circus
women speak of Leona. II 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
II was said that Leona had 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 childs hard work.
Grace was sewing when late that
evening she was shocked by heavy foot
steps and excited voices at the door,
and opened IL to be confronted by
three men who bore the manned and
insensible form Of little Leona. The
child had fallen under the feet of a
horse, had been trodden on and was q
cripple for life.
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 Siv months Leona was
able TO get about. but would always
limp. Or. Roberts said. The mutual
interest In the child drew the doctor
and Grace IN closer harmony Of spirit. |
and had his practice increased he |
would have asked Grace TO share his
lot. poor and humble though Il was.
one day there appeared a strDnger. a |
benevolent faced old man who an
nounced himself as the grandfather Of
little Ieona.
4 learned Of her accident and nban- 4
donmeut b. her unnatural father only /
week ago be said 4 will be glad to I
take the child and provide FOR her the |
bsssf In lie