Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-12-10

Wv ulu come mere muir
INJURED Ralph Norton. and
4 turned in his bed and gazed
out through the window of
cherries, sparsely furnished room,
Far as he could see the sluggish
river wound In and out low marshy
stretch. Barges loaded with coal
moved lazlly along. Beyond a group
of dllapidated factories and shipyards
was the city. 1t recalled the last fad
ing picture presented to his conscious
ness, how long since he knew not,
but that problem was instantly solved.
I'VE found you outside, where you
had fallen into cinder pit" spoke
,melodious voice, and Ralph turned his
glance to see, seated near his bed, a
young girl sewing.
She was poorly, but neatly dressed
She wore few articles Of adornment,
her hair was worn without attention
to fluff or flummery, but the sweet
repose of her face, the kindly gentle
eyes arrested the attention of the
invalid and held 1t riveted.
you have been there four days,
unconscious" she went on. you must
not move, the doctor says, for your
left ankle is broken" -a
Ralph WINGED as, moving the mem
ber In question, he was promptly made
aware that 1t was not in normal con-
ditlon.
"You are strangers to me-" said
Ralph weakly, "and this is strange
place. recall wandering aimlessly
about the docks with my suitcase"
"That is here, safe,' spoke the girl
I'VE found 1t by your side. You must
have stumbled and fallen. The doctor
called was ct first serious about the
brulse on your head, but he said this
morning that all danger had passed
for that and you would have the
broken limb only TO trouble you"
"Only," repeated Ralph bitterly yin.
der his breath, and then sheer weak
ness caused him to close his eyes and
his mind drlfted hazlly
His thoughts took in present very
unhappy and forlorn condition, He
had left his home after Il quarrel with
his wealthy uncle, to make Ms own
way In the world, Alas 1t had been
a hard awakening experience FOR the
disappointed young man. lie had
brushed aside In his efforts to secure
work by men with punch" as well
as those with pull" He had to
confess that he had not the training
to combat In the journalistic arena
with those who knew the ways better
than he.
He had come from home with very
good outfit, and his dressiness had
helped him get several good assign
ments with a society Journal. The
season over, however, he lost his pO-
sltl0n. No new ones offered. His
money ran out and, selling off some
OF his effects to settle his debts, he
placed the rest In suitcase. Ralph
was city-wearled as he Wandered aim
lessly lie had vague Idea of find
Ing some place where he could bury
himself and forget his old vain ambl-
lions. Near the spot where he now
found himself his mishap had over
come him, and here he was, helpless.
Apparently he was not frlendless, how
ever, for his environment suggested
that he was under the charge Of
faithful and attractive nurse.
II was dusk when Ralph aw0ke
again. He observed a light In the
next room and made out his nurse and
weakened, elfshed faced old man
conyerslng
Il am poor, very poor" the latter
was whining. II cannot afford ex-
pense, II he has any"
mo, UNCLE" spoke tho girl definite
ly II know from his rawlings while IN
fever his whole story, and II is u
pitiful one. See, uncle, he himself
will surely find some way to pay the
surgeon when he is well. AS to the
little he costs us, the way we live,
you can surely spare that for the sake
Of sweet charity"
"Charltyl charity !" groaned the old
man. "Who gives me charlty7 No,
no, I tell you am poor, poorl See
how misernbly / am obliged to live
See how hard | work in the ethyl He
must pay pay"
"He VIII, when he recovers," de.
clared the young girl. "Oh, uncle
would you drive him out, possibly to
become crippled FOR life, because Of
neglect1 BE humane, for my sake;
will work the harder for you"
"IIa he has struck your fancy, chr"
snarled the old man.
The girl blushed hotly, but she said
with girllsh dignity:
",rhe memory Of the poor brother
who died bids me be kind to the
stranger"
The old man grumbled, but his com
panion held to her point. He exacted
a promise from her that she would see
II the suitcase did not contain some
belongings that might be sold TO pay
the way for his unwelcome guest
It did not take long for Ralph to
that the miserIy Galbraith,
as he learned his name to be, was a
iDlbeT IOT WHoIH MS Hlete bipVeu' lo
had some business In the city in the
scrap-lron line.
Within two days Ralph was able to
sit up. Then the girl, Ottila, In some
way got q pair OF crutcheg, and inside
Of week he was able TO move TO
a bench outside the house and hobble
around.
He had unpacked his belongings
from the suitcase. Recalling the con
yersation he had overheard, he did
Up the dress suit that had done vast
DIR. Z. ERNEYHOUGB,