The Press., 1905-06-21

one dL nOIue DuL u0I
 Involuntarily her swift glance meas
 ured the distance to the gabled frame
 house, then her frightened look went
 back to the man imping up the patt
 from the gate. No, she could not react
 the house before he was beside her
 And of all things she despised COW
 ardice So she hastily picked up the
 magazine she had dropped in her first shock of alarm and gripped it very tightly to keep her hands from trem
 bling. He was near-quite near hel now. He stood still, and their eyes met.
 She saw a muscular looking young fellow, with wavy blond hair, good square chin and dark blue eyes, direct and intelligent of glance. He held his handkerchief to a wound on his tenn. pie, and she noticed the square of linen was crimson. His appearance was singularly disheveled. His clothes were muddy, as though he had waded through creeks. His hat was battered. And the halting way in which he drag ged his leg indicated injury.
 He saw a young and very pretty girl dressed in a soft woolen gown of crimson cashmere. Her eyes were gray, but just now so dilated were the pupils they appeared to be black. The wind had ruff1ed her dusky hair about her forehead. There was no color in the piquant, frightened face.
 T beg your pardOn" the man said, and took off his hat "I fear I have startled you. I've had quite an-an experience and an accident. Have you any objection if I go into the house2 2 I should like a drink of water-and to rest for little while"
 Bessie Hammersly strove to speak, but no words came to her lips. She re- called what her uncle had told her a few hours before when he had gone in to the house for his revolver, mounted his gray horse and had drawn rein to explain before he joined the posse of determined looking farmers and towns people at the gate.
 Held up the bank at the county seat all by himself and got away with cool thousand. This isn't hls first ex- ploit- He's a nervy ruffian. The bank CT Is dangerously wounded - shot through the shoulder. He thinks-in fact, knOws-he hit the robber when he fired by the blood that marked his es- cape. It isn't likely he'll have got far before we strike his trail. And when we do'-
 He had nodded grimly there and gal loped off.
 And now here was a travel stained, Injured, grimy individual confronting her and asking aid. If only the serv- ants had not gone in by special permis- sion to the annual fair In the nearest town! If only her aunt had not gone to spend the morning with a neighbor!
 "Im afraid" the man said, with a smile, surprised evidently at her si- lence and her air of tense agitation, ''that you consider me too disreputable an individual to admit to your homeV He glanced down deprecatingly at his soiled and disordered attire. If you have objections" he said, with what sounded like an infection of offense, "I shall wait here if you will be good enough to bring me the water"
 He sank down on the seat, and as he did so q groan burst from his lips. She saw drops of sweat start out around his handsome mouth.
 "Oh, I will!' she cried compassion ately. You are suffering. I am sorry. Just wait a moment"
 Tnif %Eo mount in the mind of Bessie Ham, mersly as she sped across the tawny grass, looking like a flash of flame in her vivid gown.
 SuppOsing he were a bandit twenty times over! He reminded her of Char lie-her beloved young brother. Bran- dy. Some was always kept upstairs In the medicine chest for emergencies. So up the stairs she flew, dashed a quantity of the liquor into the glass she held and, adding water at the kitch- en sink, sped out again into the autumn and across the lawn.
 Here" she gasped, ''take this luickp'
 He was deadly pale. His head, with III tree trunk His handkerchief had fall en to the ground, and she saw that the blood was trickling from a jagged cut across his temple.
 Without the slightest shrinking or hesitation she leaned down and held the glass to his lips.
 "You must drink this at oncer she said, speaking 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 Hquor, reused him. He opened his eyes, sat erect and took the glass with a slight bow of acknowledgment and a swift smile.
 ''You are very good" He dranA the mixture gratefully. Almost at once its effect was perceptible. The color came back to his cheek. He groped for his handkerchief. "I shall not intrude. It is nothing. I shall be all right pres ently."
 But he spoke to the dancing leaves, for Bessie had fled back to the house. When she returned she carried a 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.
 "Yes. Sit still, please" It took all her tender memories Qf Charlie and the persistent thought that if he were in trouble she would wish even strangers to be kind to him that made her force herself, shrinking with repuIsion the while, to wind the white material over he jagged cut "Therer' She put a 1nal pin and stepped back. ''They will De coming back this way, and I'm lfraid-I know-they will see you from he road"
 He rose and stood looking down on Ter in bewilderment
 ''Who will see meF he asked. 'Why | hould mind?"
 "Oh," she cried suddenly and clasped l