Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-13
CHAPTER XII.
AN ARRIVAL.

k In the light wagon, propped up be- tween Jack Parmelee and Dick Whit tIesey, Rossiter rode back to the Mer- ton farm. At first everything was a daze to him, but soon the air revived him somewhat, and before the house was reached, save for giddiness and dull throbbing in his head, he fancied he was quite himself. He was glad of the aid of Parmelee's stout arm, however, when he came to descend to the ground.
 sI'll be all right after bit" he said, as he steadied himself, If you'll
 help me down to my cot Mr. Merton and Miss Densmore had hastened on in advance, and they, with Miss Merton and her mother, gathered about the injured man.
 'sYouire to comeg right in here,'' Mrs. Merton declared, and, though Rossiter protested, he was led into the family living-room, where, I,stretched upon couch, he was made as comfortable as might be with cool congresses that after time ellayed the painful feeling in his head. The blow from the bludgeon had been a glancing one, but above his ear a lump had formed that was exceeding r tender to the touch. By and by Jack Parmelee looked in from an outer door, and, noting the improvement in Rossiter's appear ance, exclaimed:
 '.That was g pretty ugly little clip you got! It keeled you half way down the embankment, am if it had been couple O inches the other way your head an squashed puff balpd have passed for twins"
 s.How can you, Jack?'' cried Miss Merton, who, with her mother, lchanced to be in the room.
 What's the use Q gloomin' about St? He'll be fit enough in the mornin'. A trife sore in the upper story mebbe, but that won't last long, ssYou were just in time,' said Ros- sitter, smiling. "I was about done eor.''
 You put &up a great fight, Sylvia says, and Merton allows you've got the darndest grit he ever saw. They'd all skeedaddled by the time I got AcWA AAAAo SAAC 1ACy llhob AAdF C thought I had an army behind me by
 the way they lit out. We'll, Dick Whitt1esey was close by, and he's a whole regiment in scrap.' Rossiter had brief nap late in the
 afternoon, and woke to find himself
 alone and much refreshed. The rat
 65ling of dishes indicated the nearness
 of the supper-hour, and outside there
 was suggestion of approaching
 dusk. He rose to his feet without difficulty, and was walking towards the outer door, which opened upon the porch, with no definite intention, when Miss Densmore appeared from the adjoining room bearing daintily arranged tray, upon which was a steaming cup of tea, some toast, and few other tempting edibles. She exclaimed in protest on seeing Rossiter.
 ssYou're to sit down at once, sir!" she said. 'We're not going to have you running of in that fashion" He succumbed very willingly. and she hustled about making him com fortable.
 anu 6uhU nAS puSyS A she exclaimed, "so said I'd look
 after you
 "You needn't have been to all this q trouble,' 2 he answered., "I'm fully re-
 covered now" But he was glad to
 eat with her sitting by chatting
 cheerily to him.
 eI'm afraid" he remarked present.
 ly. 'sthat you will find it difficult to
 keep to yourself your promise of the T other night
 "What was that?"
 "Don.t you recall2 You were go
 ,nr to hold in recollection from your
 hop-picking life only it's pleasant
 phases. Aren't the disagreeables, So
 to speak, likely far to outweigh the
 happy experiences 2"
 .soh. noI" she replied. with little