Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-11
CHAPTER XIII.
Too Late.

slept rather longer than he had YET
done, and Nellie and her father, re,
joicing that he should do so. went
about on tiptoe as they set about
their labor of love, the preparation OF
a delicate little breakfast for him.
81 am so glad he has slept so well,
father. said Nellie, in a whisper, her
SAD eyes growing lighter for mo-
ment. "The doctor says that all he
wants is sleep and rest, and that
soon"
She stopped and sighed in
voluntarily as she remembered that
her patients recovery meant his de
parture, perhaps forever.
well, he's had a good sleep this
morning, anyway" said Mr. Wood.
squatting before the fire to make
some toast. II shouldn't wonder il
he's able to get up and move about a
but; but he mustn' be too venture
sonnet I've seen many man as
thought himself quite out o the sick
lists, chucked back for two or three
weeks for bein' too cheeky, as you
is just to come out into the sun and
sit about, just like-just like them
lizards as is in foreign countries;
there's nothing like the sun for all
kinds of ailments. Pears to me, Neh,
my lass. as you want a little o. the
same kind O medicine yourself. this
long bout o nursing has tried you, my
4. ali l..
to be sure" he broke off, looking up
at the sky in the direction of Sand
ford church.
ITS Lord Carr-Lyon's wedding
father" said Nellie.
AYE" he said, with a chuckle; che
after the grand party! This ere
toast's done now, and I'll go and see
IL Mr.. Ravens waking yet"
II was past noon when Clifford awoke,
and he seemed almost like his old
self; so bright were his eyes and
cheerful his manner.
Nellie stood by him while he ate
his breakfast, watching him with rapt
attention the usual with her, and dur
ing the time the bells were silent. and
she said nothing about the wedding.
Il think III get up Nellie" he said,
after a while.
Are you sure you're well enough?"
she asked. anxiously.
II feel as strong as a lion" he said,
though I'm aware | don't look like
it," he added, ruefully, as he stared at
his thin hands. "Oh, yes; I'm on
the right road now. Nellie. want to
get up and about again, and relieve
you of the terrible burden have
been-no, for that sounds ungrateful,
and know you have thought 1t no
burden. But I'll get up, Nellie, and
take a walk around the quarry By
Jove! it's years instead of weeks
since | saw the sky face to facet"
She went out and sent her father to
him, and Clifford got dressed, though
it was rather lengthy process.
These things must have grown
since l was lying here he said with
laugh, as he put on the coat that had
fitted him so closely and compactly,
and now seemed so vast and roomy
"Ah, you will soon fill 'em out
again" remarked Wood. What you
want is a little sun. as | was telling
Nellie. and course o steak and stout
Do you remember the steak you ate
the first day you came here? Well
that's the sort"
Clifford laughed in company, and
they went out onto the ledge in front
of the cottage. Nellie had carried a
chair out in the sun, and they made
him sit down.
by Jove!" he exclaimed, drawing a
long breath, and looked around with
an invalid's delight in the fresh open
air. It's worth being shut up in a
room for week or two to enjoy this
as | am doing"
You're looking pretty bright ana
cheerful, | must say" said Wood, with
lock of approval.
Il wish | could make you under
stand how happy | feel" responded
Clifford extending hand to each
But / could not unless | tell you ali
my story; and it's such strange
story, such wonderful romance,
that I'm afraid you'd think was
delirious again
Nellie and her father exchanged a
glance of apprehension.
Don't excite yourself now" said
the old man.
"Do not be afraid. | am all right
and not at all likely TO make myself
bad again, But il is strange and no,
mantle story-so strange that at
at times / can scarcely persuade my
self that it's true. I've always been
such rolling stone. such waif and
general outcast, that to sind myself
suddenly" he stopped and laughed
and passed his hands over his eyes.
Il was nearly telling you" he said
There was pause for a moment
or two.
II should think | should be able to
get into Sanford tomorrow"
"oh. no. MOI" said Nellies quickly.
certainly not, said Mr. Wood