Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-04-26
DAWES BROKEN LEG.
It Caused a Romance Among the
Berkshire Hills.

1t was away up in western Massa-
chusettS Just where the famous old
post road through the Berkshire hills
winds itself into New Ashford. The
black vanguard Of an approaching sum-
mer storm crept along the valley be-
hind us, and few stray raindrops al
ready warned that it was time to seek
for shelter. We turned in atothe open
gate of the vine covered porch of the
first farmyard, and riding up to
the uncovered porch of the quaint
old house lifted our wheels 10
protected spots at either side of the
paneled door. 1t may have been pre-
Stunning upon hospitality as yet unex-
tended, but then no one stops at such
conven tionality in the Berkshires, and
were we not in the Berkshires? The
storm burst, and we sat on the porch
beside our faithful steeds, watching
the clouds hurry by, the tall trees
bend in the eddying wind and the cool
ing water fall to the thirsty earth.
Somehow the smoke of our cigarettes
seemed strangely out of place, in that
cd fashioned spot. and Harvey observed
that he would have felt more comfor-
table with an old brier and a package
OF plug cut. A quiet half hour slipped
away, while the storm increased rather
than diminished. and realizing that we
were to be weather bound for a few
hours at least the necessity of lunch
con became apparent, and Harvey
arose to the attack. Harvey is an actor.
in season, and what he has learned in
the matter of picking up meals on the
western circuits helps him immeasur-
ably in summer vacations. Repeated
beating upon the door failed, however,
to elicit the slightest response from
the inmates, and my anticipatory
dreams of a soft-eyed, rustic Ganymede
went gloomily to pieces.
There must be a corpse in the
house." remarked Harvey reassuringly
leaning upon his bicycle and turning
on me a look of hungry resignation. 1
was framing iI5.my mind a neat reply,
more sarcastic than apropos,Ewhen the
-oaken door suddenly opened inward,
and an extremely pretty girl, with
long, curly, golden hair and big blue
eyes, confronted us. Surprise was mu-
tual, but she seemed the most con-
fused.
"Why, why" she faltered. CT
thought to find one of the neigh bors
but-but'-
''There is no cause for ALARM inter
rupted Harvey in the voice of his most
approved stage father. "We are per-
feet gentlemen, although our appear
ance is admittedly against us. We
took the liberty to use your porch as a
shield from tho weather. and trust that
we are not intruding.''
''Oh, no-no," she answered con-
fusedly. You will excuse me. Dave
is hurt 1 must go for the DOCTOR and
she ran by us and down the steps into
the rain, lifting her calico skirts just
high enough for us to see that her
pretty feet were but thinly covered
with light slippers. Harvey was at her
side in an instant
Pardon me-" he said. ''Where does
the doctor Hve?''
''Only mile or so,'' she replied with
out stopping, up the road (She
pronounced it ''rud" but l am writing
this in English) Harvey caught her
arm, and pulled her back to the shell
tering porch. @
but you must not run mile or 500
he cautioned, ''in such storm as this,
without hat, shawl, or shoes. 1t
would kill you. 1 will go for the doc
tor. My wheel moves faster than
your li1tle feet" The girl hesitated
moment and then, as Harvey stood
ready to start away, thanked him
shortly and gave directions, for finding
the doctors house.
"AI right Good-by," he shouted,
leaping into the saddle. You take care
of Dave"
r. ''Oh, dear, hope he'll hurry!' said
the girl turning to me as Harvey shot
out on the road. and sped away through
the mud and rain faster than he had
ever run from the villain in the play
I thought reply unnecessary.
Perhaps might assist you," ven
tured. ~ am bit of an amateur
physician. May l see Dave?"
She led the way into the narrow hall
way, up the creaking staircase, wall
papered at the sides in imitation of
white marble, and into a stuffy little
chamber just under the dripping
caves A great. deep chested, sun
burned 20 ung fellow lay upon tiny
iron bedstead, while one muscular leg
hung over the edge, shattered and
bleeding. An old woman with soft
gray hair and the eyes of the girl bent
above him and called his name again
and again, in tones of the most piteous
tenderness. AS we entered she turned
to my pretty guide, and, regardless of
q strange presence, cried:
He is dead. Clemmie, dead! My
Dave is deadr' and fell at the side of
the little bed, sobbing and crying. The
girl quickly glided by me, and placing
her hand upon the mans chest, said
quietly:
He is not dead-only unconscious"
d drew near and saw at once that she
WAS right. The limb had been injured
in some farming accident and an artery
broken. 1 set about to stay the flow
of blood. The girl brought me bit of
kape. and together we bound it tightly
about the bleeding limb. but it was not
strong enough, and the flow was only
decreased. tore d slip from the
bounterpane and / wound it over the
kaue. and this was a decided improve
knent. Meanwhile the poor mother had
tainted of nervous exhaustion, and the
girl busted herself administering re-
ktoratives. ] was just beginning to