Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-01-12
HIS ANGEL
BY MoLLlE MATHER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright. 1877, Western Newspaper Union

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Godfrey, in his woolly bathrobe,
kept watch of the stair. For either
up or down those stairs his good Sa-
marian, must go. The hall of the
rooming house remaining for time
silent, Godfrey sought the window.
He was still weak and uncertain as to
walking, but as 1t was possible that
light step might ascend that old
stair while he was not there to see,
he returned to his post.
He must have been in this gloomy
room now, for more than two weeks.
The flu had put him out of his head
SO that he could not measure time.
Its interest vanished with his sud
den illness. All that GeOffrey Gordon
could distinctly remember was SOM
moning his landlady, with the con-
fused request that the woman who
cared for his room be retained to give
him such care as might be necessary.
The doctor, used to calls Of the
friendless and unremunerative, looked
the unresponsive Godfrey over, pro
nounced his case grip, and departed,
leaving medicine behind. 1t was not
his affair, certainly, whether that med
icine was bestowed or not.
whats his manner" the doctor
briefly asked Mrs. Simpson.
HE says It's Stinson," she replied,
George Stinson."
So the author who loved to study
at close range his subjects, who wrote
of people as they are-lay among those
of whom he would have written, him.
self needy and unknown.
Across the blur of his pain came
then an angel directly from heaven,
to minister to him. Like a frightened
child, Godfrey Gordon realized the
reassuring comfort Of firm, soothing
hands. over his hot forehead the cool
hands moved rhythmically, charming
his pain away. And when he awoke
to momentary consciousness the fol-
lowing morning, the faded, insufficient
coverlet had been mlraculously re-
placed by warm blankets of dainty
satin bindings.
It was when he reached weak but
sure cOnvalescence that Jellies and
tempting small cakes and mullins
found their way to the stand by the
bed The delicious cakes which he
ate so hungrlly brought to him sting
OF mother-memory. The mother Of his
boyhood-gone so long but still bit
terly missed.
Godfrey, watching the stair, knew
at last why success and the many
beautiful things of life still left
| great lack which had never been filled.
And so, wondering, specializing, he
questioned. and vainly, concerning his
secret delIverer-and watched hope
fully, despairingly, the stair, For the
| girl or woman must of course be an
occupant of this dingy rOomlng house.
| And to settle this eager curiosity Of
his he must know her.
Many went down the stair each
morning to places of employment,
many came back each night. Soon
Godfrey must go away, but first he
must know
There was one lovely girl her dark,
dancing eyes sought the invalid out In
his watching place.
AT last In desperation the author
called to the girl under pretense Of
asking her to forward a message to
Mrs. Simpson. The girl smiled charm
ingly.
"Sure, I'll tell the old DAME" agreed
his supposed angel, but you'd betteh
believe it'll take her some time to get
move up here. Some weight, that
old girl Any other little thing I can
do for youseT
"No. thank you" answered Godfrey
sadly.
That night inspiration came to him
one who had so unselishly cared for
sick stranger would naturally still
be Interested In his condition. The next
day found him suffering an appar-
ent collapse his grooming might even
have been heard by a sympathetic lis
tener Off the long hall Godfrey be
gan his grooming directly after Gus
tOmary office closing time He de-
Quoted that his Angel was among the
employed. She was-and AT that pre-
else moment opening can OF pine
apple for her supper
Dear me-" murmured the Angel,
that sounds exactly like my sick
man. What pity he has no mother
or sister Or-wlfe to look after him"
She decided to take peep into the
lnyallds quarters When her wide
eyed glance revealed her former
charge again PROSTATE, Bessie Mac
Donald, late Of Grove Village, slipped
nolselessly into George Stinson's room
She carried some Of the pineapple
with her As she supposed, the pa
tents lips were hot and dry; thought.
fully considering, Bessie fed him the
pineapple.
Furtlvely the patient opened his
eyes.
No, she wasn't exactly pretty, nor
modlsh at all. Her soft capably
nodded hand made assured, graceful
movements toward his lips. Her dark
brOws drew together cOncernedly, ms
she bent over him. GeOffrey Temem-
bered that same dear, anxious look In
his mothers face long ago. Suddenly,
his eyes upon her the girl smiled.
Why, she was pretty, tenderly pretty,
and the plain little frOck framed Ler
some way ittingly as one would
have ones favorite priceless picture
framed
$50 have found you at last 90 said
GcOffrey Gordon.
How have needed you, my dearl'
~ am glad to be where | am need.
ed" answered Bessie cOnfusedly.
But ! am going 20 need you al
ways, insisted this strange patient
However, Bessie remained true to
her word