Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-10

He indicated Mrs. Scribbins. I'VE
must find this bullet"
Barnett turned to the men who filed
the doorway. Clear out. boys; the doc
tor wants to be alone now"
Raymond smiled little. THE bullet
went on. It's in the wall somewhere"
Barnett came to the door and said to
Ann: You better go out under the
trees and rest. You look tired
81 will stay if can be of any USE"
1--WE don't need you. Mrs. Scribbins
will help us. Please go. Louis, take her
away till this is over
Released from her benumbing load of
responsibility, Ann laid her hand on her
brothers arm. Come Louis" and to-
gether they went out along the little
winding path which led to the spring.
''What do you suppose they will do to
him." asked Louis.
Ann turned sick "Oh, 1 don't know!
Don't speak of it. It's too HORRIBLE"
When they re-entered the cabin Bar
nett met them with smile. THE
doctor says Rob's all right. He in
sists that Ann saved his life. You poor
girl. What night that boy let you
In fort l didn't know till ten minutes
ago that you were here all alone and
that Jones and his wife had vamooSed.
hope you'll forgive me. Ann"
"Oh, I blame no one but myself"
she YEARLY replied. II shouldn't have
come to this miserable, CHASTITY region"
Rob wants to see you. VIII you
come in and speak to him."
NIL Dow in
to the inner room where Raymond.
with his wounds dressed and limbs
properly clothed, lay stretched on the
bed. He was very pale, but his eyes
were calm and quiet. He reached a
feeble right hand toward her. saying
painfully: You've been mighty good
to me. BY and by / will try to thank
you. Without you L would have bied
TO death"
Il beg you not to give it a moments
thought. l did very little" Ann coldly
replied
His eyes were round and soft and APP
pealing, like those of a big wounded
dog. Don't leave me now. 1 want
you
She glanced at the young doctor, who
say, Grant his request" And so she
put his hand away gently as if the
clinging fingers were those of Sleep
ing babe and said. with q return Of
pity: II will stay till tomorrow. Now
please go to Sleep
He closed his eyes under her palm,
and tears of gratitude came stealing
down from his brown lashes. For the
moment she forgot that she had known
him but n day; that she. too. was a
Stranger-far removed from him in
every thought and purpose-and con-
scented TO stay because he chung to her
and needed her. A hand seized her
throat, and an emotion which alienat-
ed her from her old self rose within
her bosom and for moment brighten
ed her. In the end it frritated her,
this pity, and yet it could not be
shaken off. A deeper self which she
had not known insisted that she keep
her word to the wounded man, and so
for two days she oscillated between a
plying tenderness for him and dis
gust and bitterness with herself and
her weakness.
On the third day Braide pronounced
his patient out of danger. and Their
AIMS pity died.
81 am going home" she said to Louis,
land you must go with me. They are
going TO take the foreman to the |
Springs, and l cannot leave you here"
Ann said goodby to the wounded man |
in Barnett's presence. and sense of |
irritation caused her to be very distant |
with him.
Il hope you will soon be able to be |
she said, evading his glance.
This is n distressing place in which |
20 be sick, and now / must say good
by
He took her hand in both of his. II
hall miss YOU. but | won't ask you to
stay any longer. You've been very
sweet and helpful to me. and hate to
AVE you go. You will let me see you
lgain. won't you?"
My cousin intends to take you tc
lis house as soon as you can be NOV
d." she answered formally. NO
lOubt we shall meet again there
Il will live in hope of that" he an
'wered CALAMITY.