The Nome nugget., 1938-03-26
LENDING A HAND
 B
By JANE O'RYAN Copyright.-WNU Service.
UCKYi" That was what
 the doctor had said in D regard to his accident.
 Va 1ol,I II;c OnIIld

A regard to ms accident.
 Ye gods! His car could not have done worse for him had 1t been narrowed from an enemy. He was bruised and lacerated; his foot wrenched and his arm sprs ined; while his partner had escaped with cratches not worth mentioning and had continued the business trip that had been temporarily interrupted and left him in a forlorn little town that he was sure even the local maps must ignore.
 Henleigh sighed heavily as he took a survey of his surroundings. The room he occupied was large and airy, furnished in mahogany and was infinitely neat besides, and the balcony adjoining, upon which he now reclined in a steamer char, overlooked a pretty garden. Oppo- site was a large house-closed; and to the right was a smaller house occupied by an elderly man who almost drove him to distraction by incessant and atrocious open air performances on an abomlnable mandolin; while on the other side an old couple pottered about the garden almost without cessation.
 If there were only one young per son to whom he could talk! Of course he could write to several friends, any one of whom would come willingly; but he had no in- tention of letting anyone know Of his accident What good would come of it?
 There was a knock upon the door. Perhaps it was his old lady keeper. Then a change swept over Hen leigh's face. Old Mrs. Walters had not only opened her home to him, but had made him feel like a son of the house and much-beloved son at that. He was an ingrate!
 So to square himself in his own eyes he called in the incest tone at his command-'Come in." And the door opened and in walked smiling old lady, very small and frail, who slowly crossed the room, her eyes fixed upon his face with an interest remarkable for her years, for she was quite old. And how do you feel, child?" she asked before she seated herself by his side.
 He gently laid his hand over hers. I'm improving by leaps and bounds" he said. Thanks to your care"
 She smiled, we'll pleased, and her sweet face flushed. Not mine al- together,' she said, you must not forget the young lady and the young man." These two were Mrs. Wal ters' housekeeper and gardener. aged, respectively, Henleigh should judge, about fiftythree and fifty. Everyone seemed young to Mrs. Walters, and it was the false hopes raised by her frequent statements concerning the young" people about that had put Henleigh into such an irritable frame of mind.
 Mrs. Walters. unconscious of his wretchedness, looked over the bal cony. Why" she exclaimed, in evident excite ment, they're home" Her eyes were fixed upon the large house opposite. the rear of which faced them.
 A look of interest came to Hen leigh's tired eyes, only to be al- most instantly obliterated as they rested upon an elderly lady in the garden. who apparently was giving orders to gardener.
 Isn't she the nice young lady. though?" inquired Mrs. Walters.
 Henleigh sighed, but said, gal lantly, "Yes, she is remarkably nice" She was, too; but she must be we'll beyond fifty; oh, well beyond.
 Henleigh didn't care snap of his fingers, and the following morning she had almost vanished from his mind; but in making a survey of his surroundings, his tired eyes sud denly came to stop, while he stared in dazed fashion into her garden; for a young lady was there really young. She half reclined in a large wicker chair and she held book in her left hand, in which she seemed to be deeply in- terested. Her hair shone like gold in the sunshine. She was real be- yond doubt.
 He must catch a glimpse of her face, and he stared hard at her bent head; but she read on and on, and just as he was about to give up, temporarily, in despair, she looked up suddenly as though she were startled. Their eyes met for an instant only. but the time was sufficient for Henleigh's eyes and lips to express eloquently the joyousness that filled him at the sight of her, for she was lovely. But there was no response from hers. Henleigh convinced himself