Deming graphic., 1921-04-05
The Little Stranger
By BEULAH ARLINGTON

enci VI 1T. 0uy ttoDerts, VINO nhu NJ
tended the invalid through a serious
siege Of Sickness. had been successful
In hig minlstratioEs and had presented
q blu for services so moderate that,
while Grace felt grateful, there were
misgivings as to the motives Of the
young physician.
He has certainly favored rs, IA
ther." said Grace. "and yet II would
humIliate me II ! thought he felt 1t 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 a nurse to his sick mother when he
could get no one else, and he says you
were quite as efficient as a 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 a humane, kind spirited gentleman
and recognizes in US people who un-
derstand and appreciate him"
II the Levlngtons we're In money
straits and barely able to get along
with what Grace earned as a district
school teacher, DIR. Guy Roberts had
his financial troubles us well. He hsd
made a mistake In settling at Broclp-
ton, for there were already two doc
tors there. Each held the clientele OF a
social clique and the newcomer throve
poorly. II Il were not for patients he
endeared who needed charitable as
slstance 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 a year the big circus came.
The event meant something TO
Grace, as pretty n lass as the town
held. She was eighteen, deeply devot-
ed to her aged father and mother and
thrifty andvexpert housekeepe- Mrs,
Lexington had a small annuity and
this with a 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 mendlng 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 ths
prodlgal lady members OF the circus
group this time brought not only thell
own apparel, but sweet faced little
girl OF nine for whom they asked Grac'
TO repair part Of her wardrobe. They
called her Leona, and Grace was IN
love with her as she sat watching hel
at the sewing machine and answering
her questions as to her part In the per
formance. II seemed that little LeonG
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 her great plaudits.
Grace overheard two of the circus
women speak OF Leona. II seemed that
her mother had been an eouestrienne
before her, but had died in an acct
dent. The father, a coarse, brutal fel-
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 a wealthy
grandfather who would gladly have
taken her I'm charge, but the merce-
nary father refused TO allow the subsi'
dence Of his income gained through
the chlld'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
lnsenslble form Of little Leona. The
child had fallen under the feet OF d
horse, had been trodden on and was d
cripple for life.
The proprietor OF the circus gave
Grace some money and asked her tC
send for a doctor. The father Of little
Leona came once to see her, anc
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 hel
the full benefit Of his professional skill
BY the end OF siV months Leona was
able 10 get about, but would Away:
limp, DIR. Roberts said. The mutua
interest in the child drew the doctor
and Grace In closer harmony Of spirit
and had his practice increased hi
would have asked Grace to share his
lot, poor and humble though II was
One day there appeared n stranger
benevolent faced old man who an
nounced himself as the grandfather Of
little Leona.
"I learned OF her accident and aban
donment by her unnatural father only
week ago." he said. II will be glad e
take the child and provide for her the
best in life"
But when the grandparent saw how
content Leona was with her new
III. ....w,1uA