The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1921-07-15
THE DEBT
BY MILDRED WHITE.
g. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

The small person lay in the center
of the big bed, her white face turned
hopelessly toward a window. She
wondered, in detached sort of way,
II any other girl had ever been placed
in like forlorn situation. Here was
the very bed Size lay on, sold beneath
her, as was this great home which
still gave her shelter. She wondered,
90. fndifferently, what somebody was
going to do about 1t all. OF course.
she, herself, could do nothing.
When your spine is injured so that
you cannot move without assistance.
when you have been stricken help
less, you are at least removed from
responsibility. Linnet supposed that
her heart had been numbed in the au-
tOmobile accident. If not, why should
she feel SO little?
Surely dire tragedy had descended
upon her in the sudden loss of father
and home and protection, following
the stunning misfortune Of her own
terrible accident. Was It that her
heart merely refused to suffer more?
She turned her face YEARLY, a man
stood in the doorway. Instantly Lin.
net realized his identity.
"You," she asked family, "are the
new owner Of Grayson house? The
man to whom father owed money
almost all his money!"
The visitor who was young and
kindly grave, drew nearer. His eyes
as he looked down upon the girls
flowerlike face, grew soft with SYM
pathy.
YES. Linnet." he answered, using
her fathers name for her. II am John
Bruce. You must often have heard
OF me. My loan to your father in
his pressing need was the loan Of a
friend. l would have dispensed with
payment. But your fathers honor
forced him to make a will; though I
might now refuse to collect my
claim, cannot ignore willed prop
erty. The house Is bequeathed to
me and all else that James GrayAon
possessed; and personal request
added, with which, I hope to comply.
That request, the care of yourself;
the charge to be made permanent,
through marriage"
The crippled girls face flushed,
she put out white protesting hands.
"Poor father" she whispered, "he
could not help but think. Of me. But
you must not think for minute that
l." her voice trailed off helplessly.
81 do hope, linnet," the young man
said earnestly, "that you will believe
me to be more than willing to fulfill
my charge. loved your father.
II would give to you every comfort
sent for a famous surgeon that you
may try his skill. II you would rather
not see me at all, shall not even
trouble you by my presence. I am a
busy man busily occupied. Your old
housekeeper may continue to attend
to your needs. And If" he hastily
added at the growing pallor Of her
face-"vou prefer to remain merely
as my honored guest, that also may
De arranged, Linnet." 1t came about
SO. very naturally.
The fretting thought of dependence
ceased to trouble the invalid as she
became aware of how small a matter
was this charity to her fathers trust
ed friend. And secretly and joyous
~, as weeks passed, her new hope
grew. The great surgeon had given
her right to hope.
John Bruce was astonished at the
change in her. Day by day he grew
more glad, infected by her spirit. For
Linnet had not forbidden his visits,
welcoming them instead.
He brought her a silk robe the color
Of a blue sky. and when she pro-
crossed to sitting posture on the
couch, her benefactor brought soft
blue slippers to match the robe. His
pleasure in the giving, equaled Lin
nets pleased surprise. Nor again
did John Bruce press the question OF
her fathers wish. Legally, he had
made Linnet's possessions again her
own.
They decided, she and the tri.
umphant surgeon. to keep the mar
velous,news of their success until the
girl was fully able TO carry out hel
plan. Size could walk now easily and
unassisted, the length of the long
rooms devoted to her use.
When she was, quite ready to re-
lieve her generous friend'of the bur.
den imposed upon him. she, intended
to 60, dressed in street costume to
Johns study, and make her announce
ment there. Also. she thoughtfully
prepared pretty speech Of gratitude
Some way when Linnet considered
her plan there was not in 1t that
satisfaction which she had at first
pictured. However. she carried II
through.
John Bruce was amazed. Of course
SO stupendously amazed that he quite
neglected to rejoice with the restored
one. The hand clasp that he gave hel
vas asperfunctory hand clasp. his kint
eyes expressed no pleased admiration
as they rested on the unaccustomed
suit.
Linnet slipped away. her eyes fillet
with tears. Then. from the doorwa!