The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1903-01-29


INWlWNI The subject under dis
Id dHYSH cussion was young wo-
X2W1RR man who had recently
come to Greenboro. and though she
seemed inclined to trouble herself not
at all about Greenboro. Greenboro was
In fever Of anxiety about her, her do
ings, sayings. eatings. as reported by
the maid who witnessed the same.
DIR. Albain had heard wild and woolly
accounts of Helen Meybin before, but
he was willing to admit that this even
Ing Mrs. Marston's tongue had justified
Its right to the title OF town terror:
and. also. that he began to feel some
moving OF curiosity toward this new
horror that had come upon the town
Of his adoption.
"Grenboro is always having n flt Of
the horrors about something" he had
reflected. carelessly. when his attention
was first directed toward this latest
one, and he had continued to treat the
subject with that mixture OF indifYer-
ence and disdain that marked his men
tai attitude toward everything outside
Of the medical profession.
After Mrs. Marston's glowing ac-
count. however. this position became
uDtenable and most OF his half hour
drive home was consumed in resolute
resumption Of facts. He felt n swing
OF sympathy toward the woman who,
like himeslf, seemed alone in the world,
and who ate salt on her sweet potatoes.
This taste. he argued. showed n sound
appreciation Of dietetic princIple-and
then, too, he did II himself, which was
perhaps the real ground OF his ap-
proval.
So interested had he become In the
subject that when he passed Hillside
cattage he deliberately drew his horse
to a walk and stared frankly into the
open window. A brown head bent over
desk was the only reward gained by
this extraordinary concession 10 curl
osity. but as II was the only glimpse
he had ever had OF the latest agony.
DR.. Albin felt repaid.
He should know her the next time
he saw her. he reflected But the back
Of woman's head is really a question
able sponsor for the features of her
face. and II so happened that when the
doctor next saw Helen Meybin he did
not know her.
/. Looking up from the dust Of the road
side in a blind rage over the accident.
he met pair Of gray eyes that were
cerDed In spite Of their dancing amuse-
nent.
Are you hurt ?" she questioned
"Hurt." snarled the doctor. rs he got
on his feet and brushed the dust from
his coatsleeves. Hurt. OF course not.
Who ever heard Of man being hurt
by having his horse knocked from un-
der him?"
II beg your pardon" she said. her
toner unstead with laughter: "I forgot
that the road turned to sharply here.
Your horse does not seem to be much
hurt"
In fact. her bike had not touched his
horse. II was his steed's backward
lunge that had unseated the doctor and
the knowledge Of this fact did not
soothe his temper. He turned away
with sundry only partially smothered
words that were neither complimentary
TO the horse nor respectful to the lady
and flung himself into the saddle. The
girl collapsed upon the roadside and
gave vent to her strenously rapressed
amusement in peal after peal Of clear.
sweet laughter. And tho doctor heard.
But the worst wns vet 10 come. for.
as DR.. Albain peared Hillside cottage. a
bike bell rang n prolonged warning be-
hind him and n moment later the
author Of his recent misfortune glided
past and dismounted at the gate. The
Doctors eyes widened as he watched
her run the wheel into It's rack and en-
ter the house with an air of ownership.
$50" he muttered. "and had meant
TO be her friend" He shrugged his
shoulders. What ground there ever
was for friendship IL all preempted
now. Stakcd out bv disgust" He
might have added. "and by rid,cule. !"
But the doctor was no more fond than
other men Of telling himself wholesome
truths.
Like most strong men. too. he fan
ciol himself above resentment and did
not trouble 10 explain why he never
took the road that ran by Hillside cot
t"pe. although the not doing so caused
him good many extra hours I'm the
Saddle. Neither did he attempt to ex-
plain why. when three months later the
maid from the cottage came in haste
for medical aid. he sent his young
assistant and made no inquiries.
Mrs. Marston's new horse had run
away with her. and Helen having
sprnne AZ. the brute's bits. had been
dashed against a show window and
battered up generally before she sue
reeied In stopping him. The young
assistant lost his nerve when he saw
the Condition Of the arm that had been
driven through the shop window. and
bungled the Job of dressing II to such
en- extent that three days later the
doctor, white Tipped with remorse. was
speeding toward Hillside cottage haunt
ed by such grewsome words as blood
poison and amputation. He thought Of
her as he had last seen her. flushed
with the strength Of her perfect. wo-
manhood, and broken prayers mingled
with the impatient exhortations he
urged upon his speeding horse.
Helen was reading when he entered.
but there were marks upon her face
that told what the calm was costing.
The cords Of the doctors throat tight
ened suddenly and stified the words Of
useless regret. Silently he bent over
the arm on the pillow and began to un-
do the wrapping.
1T will have to come on. think" |"
Helen remarked as he barred the fierce
ly inhxmed wounds.
mo-" he said. quietly. II think not. F"
The Job had been horribly bungled.
but this was no time to waste ones en-
"kcs upon empty TcsTets. hemorbe
lnshed him fercely. but the doctor
scarcely Needed her blows. Helen felt
the soul Of the healer In his assured.
tender touch. She resumed her hook
though the pain kept her colorlees.
You are q brave woman" Albain
said, gratefully. when the dressing was
done; "the bravest ever knsw.s
~, ror 70 ~ - Instant . the rsy s ~ s.S