Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-05-05


hind the tea kettle for a moment.
"Er-and Mr.. Palgrave," said hel
voice; did he-er-have any narrow
-squeaks?"
/ There was a pause Of quite thirty
Z seconds before Endicott spoke.
/ 81. owe Harry Palgrave my life" he
said, slowly and distinctly.
4 "Oi" Miss Westmacott sat straight
/ up, and her eyes We're bright And
you said you had nothing to tell me!
she remarked a triie breathlessly.
! Ralph shifted little on his chair.
'He-he wouldn't like me to tell
you" he began.
Don't be silly" interrupted his
1 hostess.
We'll, promise you won't tell him
tel! you?" said Ralph
"All right, only 90 on.
1T was one night after we'd been
out some months. we'd just got
clear of patch of jungle and had
brought up at the end of the day on
the shore of small lake. We had
two fires-one for ourselves and one
for our black fellows-about fifty
yards apart. We took it in turn to
watch the fire, to see it didn't burr
low Scares the beasties off. You
know" he put in explanatory.
Mollie nodded
What happened was all my fault.
suppose | was extra tired, or some
thing. Anyhow, during my watch |
must have dozed off Harry was on
the other side of the fire in his blan.
kets. Something woke me suddenly
the crack of branch. think it must
have been-and ! knew instantly by
the GOODNESS Of my toes that the fire
was down. 1t was nearly out.
reused myself and leaned forward to
rake it together"
He hesitated, and the girl waited,
watching him eagerly.
What happened next is all rather
confused in my mind remember a
most hideous noise, more of a howl
than roar. and then | was being
squashed fat my what felt like
several tons of fur rugs on my chest.
| had no pain, you understand, and my
head was quite free, so that | could
see distinctly. | could have done so.
at least, but I'm afraid shut my
eyes"
Il should think SOL" shuddered
Mollie.
There was a great yelling and
shouting from our blacks. and a sort
of snarling row coming out of the
fur bundle on top OF me, In an hour
or so | opened my eyes"
"ln--how long," exclaimed the girl
We'll, ii seemed like an hour" said
Ralph. Call it ten seconds. My
head seemed to be pressed down side
ways, but / could see Harry"
He stopped short then and re-
manned silent for so long that she
prompted him.
You saw Harry-Mr. Palgrave?"
Il saw him spring to his feet" he
began again slowly. and stirring his
tea, Then he went on rapidly, his
eyes fixed on his cup. HE took it
all in at glance. His gun was close
to his hand. He was across the fire
in a moment. | heard two deafening
explosions, and then every thing went
out in flame and noise and smoke,
and-and-and that's ALL he ended
tamely and smiled across at her
feebly
81 think ii was too awful for words"
said the girl. "but brave" she added
Nothing brave about lying down
and being half smothered," said
Endicott, with intentional obtuse-
ness.
81 mean Mr., Palgrave-his presence
of mind" she said, and she blushed as
she said it. But she looked frankly
at him meanwhile Thank you for
telling me, Mr.. Endicott." she said.
And when he left little later she
shook hands with him warmly and
thanked him for calling.
she loved him for the dangers he
had passed. Ralph msquoted to him.
self as he walked away; and he
laughed a little dryly,
And when" asked Miss West
macott. did you first think you
cared for me?"
Her head was on Harry Palgrave's
shoulder and Harry Palgrave's right
arm was invisible had there been any
third person present to look for it.
II don't know" He looked musing-
" down at the little hand that lay in
his. IL only know | missed you the
first day cut ols beard, | know | saw
Your face every night out there.
sometimes smiling at me. sometimes
grave, sometimes" voice dropped
turning away from me; but that
was after"
Turning from YOU How
ridiculous, After what?"
"Atter-O, after We'd started for
home He laughed uneasily. You
see, that was when really knew what
| was going &c ask you and didn't dare
hope"
She gave happy little laugh and
moved her head Go look IN into his