Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

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. ooh, 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 for! 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"
ooh. 1 blame no one but myself"
she YEARLY replied. II shouldn't have
come to this miserable, CHASTITY region"
ROB wants to see you. Will you
come in and speak to him?"
Ann reluctantly followed Barnett 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
feeble right hand toward her, saying
painfully: you've been mighty good
to me. By and by 1 will try to thank
you. Without you would have bled
to DEATH"
II beg you not to give it moments
thought. did very little" Ann coldly
replied.
His eyes We're round and soft and ap-
pealing, like those of big wounded
dog. Don't leave me now. I want
you
She glanced at the young doctor, who
stood listening. He nodded us If to
say, Grant his request" And SO she
put his hand away gently as if the
clinging fingers We're those of sleep
Ing babe and said, with 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 day; that she, too, was n
| ASAiONSu Hull Ill
every thought and purpose-and con-
sented 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 frighten-
ed her. In the end it irritated 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 a dis
gust and bitterness with herself and
her weakness.
On the third day Braide pronounced
his patient out of danger, and then
AIMS pity died.
II am going home" she said to Louis,
land you must go with me. They are
going to take the foreman to the
Springs, and 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.
II hope you will soon be able to be
removed" she said, evading his glance.
'9Phis is distressing place in which
to be sick, and now must say good
by"
lie took her hand in both of his. ~
shall miss you, but l won't ask you to
stay any longer. You've been very
sweet and helpful to me, and hate to
have you so. You will let ME see you
again, won't you:'
MY cousin intends to take you to
his house as soon as you can be NOV
3D." she answered formally. "No
doubt we shall meet again there"
Il will live in hope of that" he an
swered CALAMITY.