The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-09-17
1T WAS
AN EASY
TASK
By WALTER }. DELANEY
GO by W. @. Chapman,

river wound in and out low marshy
stretch. Barges loaded with coal
moved lazily along. Beyond group
of dilapidated factories and shipyards
was the city. It recalled the last fad
ing picture presented to his conscious
ness, how long since he knew not,
but that problem was instantly solved.
1--WE found you outside, where you
had fallen into a cinder pit" spoke a
melodious voice, and Ralph turned his
glance to see, seated near his bed,
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"
Ralph WINGED as, moving the men,
Der in question, he was promptly made
aware that it was not in normal con-
dition.
"You are strangers to me-" said
Ralph weakly, land this is a strange
place. recall wandering aimlessly
about the docks with my suitcase"
"That is here, SAFE" spoke the girl.
"We found it by your side. You must
have stumbled and fallen. The doctor
called was at first serious about the
bruise 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 I'M
der his breath, and then sheer weak
ness caused him to close his eyes and
his mind drifted hazily.
His thoughts took in a present very
unhappy and forlorn condition. He
had left his home after quarrel with
his wealthy uncle, to make his own
way in the world. Alas! it had been
a hard, awakening experience for the
disappointed young man. He had
found false friends, hard knocks, was
brushed aside in his efforts to secure
work by men with punch" as we'll
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 a very
+ good outfit. and his dressiness had
helped him get several good assign
ments with society journal. The
season over, however, he lost his po-
sition. No new ones offered. His
money ran out and, selling off some
Of his effects to settle his debts, he
placed the rest in a suitcase. Ralph
was city-wearied as he wandered aim
lessly. He had vague idea of find
ing some place where he could bury
himself and forget his old vain ambi-
tons. Near the spot where he now
found himself his mishap had over
come him, and here he was, helpless.
Apparently he was not friendless, how
ever, for his environment suggested
that he was under the charge Of a
faithful and attractive nurse.
It was dusk when Ralph awoke
again. He observed a light in the
next room and made out his nurse and
a weakened, elfished-faced old man
conversing.
II am poor, very poor" the latter
was whining. II cannot afford ex-
pense, If he has any,"
'.No, uncle" spoke the girl definite
,ly, II know from his rawlings while in
fever his whole story, and 1t is a
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"
"Charity! charity!" groaned the old
man. "Who gives me charity? No,
no, tell you 1 am poor, poor! See
how miserably am obliged to livel
See how hard work in the cityl He
must pay-pay!
"He will, when he recovers," de-
clared the young girl. "Oh, uncle!
would you drive him out, possibly to
become crippled for life, because Of
neglect2 Be humane, for my sake;
will work the harder for you"
"Ha he has struck your fancy, eh?"
snarled the old man.
The girl blushed hotly, but she said,
with girlish dignity:
"The 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.
1t did not take long for Ralph to
understand that the miserly Galbraith.
as he learned his name to be. was a
miser for whom his niece shaved. He
had some business in the city In the
scrap-iron line.