The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29

said, speakingly loudly. And then you
may go into the house, if you wish.
You can go up in the attic and lie
down. No one goes there" Her touch
her voice, the strong odor of the liquor
reused him. He opened his eyes, sat
erect and took the glass with slight
bow of acknowledgment and a swift
smile
You are very good" He drank the
mixture gratefully. Almost at once
its effect was perceptible. The color
came back to his cheek. He groped for
his handkerchief. II shall not intrude.
1t is nothing. / shall be all right pres
emily"
But he spoke to the dancing leaves,
for Bessie had fed back to the house.
When she returned she carried roll
of linen.
You must let me bandage your
head" she said. Then, If you think
you would be safer you may go into
the barn"
"Safer!" he repeated blankly.
Eyes. Sit still, pleased" 1t took all
her tender memories of Charlie, and
the persistent thought that II he were
in trouble she would wish even strang-
ers to be kind to him, that made her
force herself-shrinking with repulsion
the while-to wind the white material
over the Jagged cut. "There!" She. put
a final pin and stepped back. They
will be coming back this way, and I'm
afraid-I know-they will see you from
the road!'
He rose and stood looking down on
her in bewilderment.
who will see me?" he asked. why
should / mind?"
"Oh," she cried suddenly, and clasped
her hands in distress. they are coming
this way now! They must have traced
you here!" She pointed away to where
many figures were visible, approaching
through a vast blur of dust along the
country road. "They are terribly angry!
You must go somewhere-At once! You
must get away-quick!"
my dear child" he cried. why
should they be angry at me? What
have / done?"
"Oh, you know what you've done!"
she cried in piteous passion. you've
robbed the bank at the county seat and
shot the banker, and-and he shot at
you-and that's why you're wounded
and"
She broke off in amazement. For, al
though the mounted men were steadily
drawing nearer, this reckless young
man sank again to the bench and burst
into laughter so gay, so amused so
ringing, that she began to doubt his
sanity.
'Bess!" roared a stentorian voice.
She looked toward the gate. Her un-
Gle had stopped his horse, but the 9TH
ers were jogging along. Like one walk
ing in a dream she went down at his
summons.
'"They landed the bandit safe in Jail
before we reached there, so we turned
back. That young fellow" indicating
the man under the tree, ''ought-to be
in bed. He got pretty bad fall when
his automobile ran into the ditch.
told him this was the nearest house.
and to come on here so your aunt
could look after him. What are you
shaking for? I've got to go on into
town. He's a city mana fine young
fellow. / used to know his father.
His name is Frederic Lyle. His friend
went on to town for DR.. Fox. They'll
be here pretty soon. Tell your aunt
to get a fine dinner. Well keep the
boys over night if they'll stay"
Blushing furiously, Bessie went
slowly back to where young Lyle
stood.
"Oh," she said brokenly, what a
dreadful-dreadful mistake!"
You must have thought" he de-
clared quizzically. that the banker
assaulted me with rock! A bullet
dc esn't leave this kind of mark"
She broke down and laughed help
lessly.
Come in." she said. and held out
her hand. IT wonder If you will ever
forgive me-"
Her eyes drooped under the linger-
ing glance that met her own.
II am pretty sure I shall-scme
day-on one condition." he said sig
nificantly.
Copyright, 1905, by Kate M. Cleary.)