The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-04-19

never forgive you."
"Helen, l think you treat DR.. Hop
kins shamefully," said Nettlc. Il
used to think he was in love with you;
his eyes followed you about and had
such a panied lock When you snubbed
him.
Nonsense! If he wants to make
a. idiot OF himself ] am not to blame. y
''He won't bore You any more, ny
sweet friend" assured Kate, ''for he
is to take Madge Stone to the lawn
party tonight. Aren't you ashamed
TO leave him to the mercy of that
frecEled little thing, after he saved
Your life with his sugar powders"
and Kate laughed mcrrily.
All the town was at the lawn party;
it was an annual affair given for the
benefit of the public library and So;
ciety attended in its best Helen was
not her usual merry self. She sat in
leafy corner Of the arbor away from
the crowd. Why did it annoy her
that DR.. Hopkins should be attentive
to Madge? Why was she unhappy?
She would not allow herself to think
of him. Had she not said again and
again that she hated him?
"NIiss Helen," said voice, which
she knew we'll and whose tones sent
the color to her cheeks, you look
lonely"
II am not. l prefer solitude, some
times, at present, for instance.
He sat down beside her.
Pardon me if 1 irtrude; but [ in.
sist on knowing why you treat me SC
rudely. You will not even be frleuds,
and" his voice was low and ten
der, "and have even dared hope to
be more. If you will only give me a
chance
Excuse me. doctor. l fear I shall
take cold in this corner" and she fled
into the house.
That night the people were foused
by cries of fire aud shrill tones OF
alarm; the fire service was inefficient,
and the citizens lent helping hand.
No one was braver or more helpful
than the young doctor; he feared no
risk and needed no caution.
In his attempt to save q child from
the flames he was struck by the fGll'
ing timbers, and they carried his un-
conscio-s form to Judge Clark's home
Gear by.
"Is it fate or Providence?" thought
Helen, as she offered to watch beside
him while her father summoned DR..
Goodspeed.
"What if he dies?' she moaued.
The doctor opened his eyes slowly.
What made him so weak? Why this
/ pain in his arm? Ho could not move 1t.
Where was he? Was that Helen
Clark? He could hear the noise OF
the fremen outside, and it dawned
upon him that he must be hurt. Helen
was approaching the couch, He closed
his eyes, hardly daring to trust his
vision.
She knelt beside him. The blood
surged through his body and strength
returned to every muscle as he felt
her lips tolch his and her hand upon
his brow. The closed eyes opened
and met hers.
"Oh, you are not dead; I was so
afraid you would never open your
eyes and would never know and
she hid her face in her hands.
He tried to rise, but sank back with
pain.
Don't move" she cried. "Iou
are hurt. DIR. Godspeed will soon be
here"
He stretched out his injured arm
and drew her to him.
"Helen, is it possible you love
me?"
The touch Of her lips upou his was
the answer, but it meant more than
words.
"And you have been SO cruel to me
all these days. l thought you almost
hated me-"
"Forgive me; I loved you all the
time, but was too proud to own it"
The task of forgiving was beauti'
full.
"Well, we'll, young man." said the
doctor, as he hustled into the room;
"this is a pretty state of affairs, 6
broken arm, half dozen bruises and
eyebrows singed off; a handsome fig
ure you'll cut among the girls now.
Well punish you by few weeks OF
invalidism.
81 might enjoy the punishment if
had a good nurse"
The old man did not lose the glance
he cast on Helen.
"Probably you would; I suspect
you've some heart trouble with oil the
rest, you young rascal" and ht
laughed knowingly.-Chicago News.