The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1921-03-24
The Little Stranger
By BEULAH ARLINGTON

1aiSA ~ ~. Uuy AODeFtS, WHO naQ Ql-
tended the invalid through serious
siege Of sickness, had been successful
III his ministrations and had presented
q bill 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, ia
ther,' said Grace, land yet it would
humiliate me If I thought he felt it Is
his duty to help us along during our
present poverty, which is certainly
acute"
You mistake DR.. Roberts," declared
Mr.. Lexington. Remember, you acted
as nurse to his sick mother when he
could get no one else, and he says you
were quite as efficient as graduated
professional"
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 humane, kind spirited gentleman
and recognizes in us people who un-
derstand and appreciate him."
II the Levingtons were in money
straits and barely able to get along
with what Grace earned as district
school teacher, DR.. Guy Roberts had
his financial troubles as we'll. He had
made mistake in settling at Bromp-
ton, for there We're 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 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
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
to do some intending for some of the
lady equestriennes and the following
season they remembered her and gave
her some additional work.
Again the big show came, and the
prodigal 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
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
her 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 to ride bare back
horses and do trapeze stunt, and
with one so small and graceful this
won her great plaudits.
Grace overheard two of the circus
women speak of Leona. It seemed that
her mother had been an equestrienne
before her, but had died in an acct
dent. The father, coarse, brutal fel-
low given to continual dissipation, held
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 MERGE
nary father refused to- allow the subsi-
denee 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 tile manned and
insensible form of little Leona. The
child had fallen under the feet of
horse, had been trodden on and was
cripple for life.
The proprietor Of the circus gave
Grace some money and asked her to
send for doctor. The father of little
Le0na 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 DIR. Roberts gave to her
the full benefit Of his professional skill.
BY 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
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 1t was.
One day there appeared stranger, a
benevolent faced old man who an
nounced himself as the grandfather Of
little Leona
Il learned of her accident and aban-
donment by her unnatural father only
a week ago." he said. II will be glad to |
take the child and provide for her the
best In life"
But when the grandparent saw how
content Leona- was with her new
friends he changed his purpose.
! She loves you both. she Is happy
here. wonder IL we cant arrange to
have her stay" he suggested.
And his money was as free as his
sense OF Leoha's welfare. He insist
ed on settling generous snm on these
kind protectors Of the dear little one.
he remained at their wedding, made
them a regular monthly visit tllereafi-
er. and Joy and comfort came to Leo