Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-09

Inc rue out on the open car was very
pleasant. Alma enjoyed every bit OF ii,
though she asked herself frequently
what was she about.
Brannigan was not introspective; be-
sides, he knew what he was about per-
fectly. He paid Alma's fares with an
authority she dared not gainsay, and
sat with his arm on the back Of The
seat behind her.
His heart swelled; he almost wished
some man would DO something for
which he could knock him down. He
had the primitive instincts of the tribal
lover; he wanted to show his strength
to the woman he desired, and to have
her know that strength would alw<ys
stand between her and danger
This feeling increased as time went
on, and he saw more and more clearly
that Alma was unhappy at home. Her
eyes were often red. She complained of
headache, and on being pressed con-
fessed that the boys were tiresome."
One afternoon strange man came
with the ice.
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he ex-
planned. It appeared that Brannigan
had been at a fire, and rushing out of
the burning tenement with forgotten
baby, had broken his leg He was in the
city hospital
The next day Alma dressed herself
with care in the blue gown Brannigan
liked, and the Sunday hat with its soar
ing plumes and outspreading ribbons,
and started for the hospital
When Brannigan saw Alma enter the
ward his face was irradiated with JOY.
And yet, when she reached the bedside,
he was lying very still, with closed eyes
or, with eyes that seemed to be closed.
"Ah, an is it you?" he asked, family,
feigning languid awakening. "'T1s
good of ye TO come, but I'm that wake
/ can scarcely take it in!"
80, but you'll soon be better Mr..
Brannigan!" she said. struggling not
to cry.
"Ah, an do ye think SOP he asked,
feebly.
Alma looked down at his splendid
proportions in perfect seriousness.
DO you feel pain anywhere?" she
asked, fearfully.
-h4AAAAs JbSh liNI N' SsAlNl III dlls
laying muscular hand upon the car
diac region.
Not a muscle of her face changed, as
he saw through his half-shut eyes. A
ripple of laughter passed over him. and
he bit his lips under the long, tawny
mustache. And while he laughed, he
could have fallen at her feet-she was
so adorably innocent!
Alma saw and wholly misinterpreted
the tremor which shook him.
"Are you cold?" she inquired, anX-
lously She knew that it was a bad
sign to feel cold in serious Illness.
"Froze OUT" said Brannigan, In
choked voice. another and more violent |
tremoc convulsing him.
Don't they give you anything for a
chill?" she asked
"They can't give me nothin'," he
whispered, 'twouldn't do no good!"
Poor Alma began TO cry. She did not |
know people never died of a broken |
leg; and with Brannigan's young
strength and health 1t was ineXplicable. |
But, cer.ainly, he was near his end.
Reckless of observation, she bent her
face to his and kissed him.
And then strange thing happened,
for the helpless sufferer revived, re-
turned her farewell salute with inter
est, and held the girl close in a clasp of
astonishing vigor
30, my! Mr.. Brannigan, aren't you
And me thinking you that
III" gasped Alma.
81 niver told ye there was anything
wrong wild me arms!" he cried AN
t-ij,..s. iiHGSt iIGrin, for kiss. dear!
Alma. darlin', say yen go to the priest
wild me when I'm out o. here! I've
tidy bit in the bank, an niver soul
dependin' on me, an I'd make ye SO
happy ye'd not know yerself-"
He became aware Of the severely-dis-
regard of n middle-agea
nurse on the other side of the bed, and
let Alma 20 Then he winlled with glad !
effrontery at the intruder.
"'Tis all right" he assured her; |
''kssin' amt agin the rules whin it's |
mans own gyurl he's goin' to marry
is IT, now? An ye're goin' to marry me
the minute I'm out, aren'tye, Alma, ms
dear?"
Alma was torn with n variety of emo
tlons; but she loved Brannigan.
"Yes," she said.-Boston Globe.