Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-17

Let me walk" she said, Il am all
right. Where is Agnes%
They are behind" answered Tyars.
''She is all right. She has two men to
look after her. You have only me-
Wait for them," said the girl Il will
not go home without them"
''All right; we shall wait outside Let
US get out first"
They were standing in a small room,
probably the Office of the theater, and a
policeman stationed near the window, of
which the framework had been broken
away, called to them impatiently.
The window was about four feet from
the ground, and Helen wondered momen-
tarily why Claud Tyars accomplished the
drop so clumsily. In the narrow street he
turned to a police inspector and pointed
to the window.
Lift the lady down." he said.
A cab was near at hand, and in it they
waited-seated side by side in silence
for what seemed hours. The crowd dropped
away, seking some more interesting spot.
At last there was a movement at the win
dow, and Tyars got out of the cab and
went away, leaving Helen in an agony
was over and the girl breathed freely.
1t seemed strangely unreal and dream
like to hear Agnes Winters voice again
to see her standing on the pavement be-
meath the yellow gas lamp, drawing to-
gether the gay little opera cloak round
her shoulders.
As Miss Winter stepped into the cab
she leaned forward and kissed Helen.
That was all; no word was said. But
the two women sat hand in hand during
the drive home.
Tyars and Oswin spoke together a few
words in a lowered tone quite overwhelm-
ed by the rattle of the cab, and then sat
silently. The light of occasional lamps
flashed in through the unwashed window,
and showed that the mems clothes were
attempted to brush off.
When the cab stopped in Brook street,
Oswin got out first, and going rp the
steps opened the front door noiselessly
with a latch key. Tyars paid the cab
man, and followed the ladies into the
house.
The gas in the hall and dining room
had been lowered, and they all stood for
a moment in the gloom round the daintily
dressed table. When Oswin Grace turned
mp the gas they looked at each other curl
ously.
Miss Winter kept her opera-cloak
closed, simply stating that her dress was
torn. Her hair was becomingly untidy,
but she showed no sign of scratch or hurt.
Helen was hardly ruf1led beyond a few
little stray curls, almost golden in color,
stealing down beside her ears. She
doubtless owed her immunity from
harm. and in all human probability the
safety of her life to the enormous bodily
strength of Claud Tyars. 1t was she who
spoke first.
Your arm - she said, pointing to
Tyar's right sleeve. Have you hurt it?"
He looked down at the limb, which was
hanging in a peculiar way very close to
his body, with a vague and questioning
smile, as if it were not his property.
Yes" he said, sit is broken.
Miss Winter and Oswin went to his
side at once. Helen alone remained stanl-
ing at the table. She said no word. but
continued looking at him with very bright
eyes, her lips slightly parted, breathing
deeply
He avoided meeting her glance in the
same awkward, embarrassed way which
she had not noticed before answering the
questions put to him with a reassuring
smile.
1T happened" he said, during the
first rush. We fell down somewhera
through some scenery, and my arm same
underneath"
You put it underneath" corrected
Helen, almost coldly, ''to-save me, |
suppose"
Instinct" he exclaimed. tersely.
Shall l fetch a doctor, or will you
come with me?" asked the practical
Oswin, gently forcing his friend into
chair. I'VE are surrounded by them in
Brook street."
Il will go with YOU answered TyarS.
Refusing all offers of hospitality made
by Oswin and his sister, Claud Tyars
went off with his friend to the doctors.
leaving the ladies comfortably installed
in arm chairs by the fire.
They protested that they could not
possibly sleep, and that, as it was only
twelve o'clock, they would await Oswin's
return.
And the two ladies left there sat. each
in her deep arm chair, toasting her neatly
shod toes on the fender, and said never
a word. They both stared into the fire
with such a marked persistence that one
might almost have suspected them of fear
ing to meet each others glance.
AT last Helen moved. She had evident
ly just become aware of black mark
on the soft mauve material of her dress.
With her gloved hand she attempted TO
brush it off, and as this had no effect she
began rubbing it with a tiny handker
chief. Then she raised her eyes. Miss
Winter was watching her with a curious
smile-a smile much more suggestive of
pain than of pleasure.
Their eyes met, and for some moments
both seemed on the verge of saying some
thing which was never said Then sud
denly Helen leaned forward and covered
her face with her two hands.
Helen recovered herself as suddenly as
she had given way. and. rising from
her chair, stood with her shoulder turned
toward her friend, her two hands upon
the ntel-piece, looking down into the
fire. Her attitude, moral and physical,
was reflective.
Il wonder" she said, "if every one
got out of the theater?"
Mr.. Easton phomised to come and tell
u.s." answered Miss Winter.
Helen raised her head and looked crit
ically at her own reflection in the old
fashioned mirror over the fireplace. The
trace of tears had almost vanished from
her young eyes-it is only older counte-
nanceS that bear the marks for long.
Before she moved again the sound Of
cab wheels made itself audible in the
street, and the vehicle was heard to stop
at the door. Miss Winter rose and went
to let in the newcomer.
1t was Matthew Mark Easton. He fol-
lowed Miss Winter into the dining room,
walking lightly-an unnecessary precau-
ton, for his step was like that of a
child.
Il do not know" he was saying, ''the
etiquette observed in England on these
points, but | could not resist coming
along to see if you had arrived safely.
No one hurt, l trust?" continued he.
Yes" answered the girl, gently; Mr..
Tyars is hurt-his arm is broken
Easton's mobile lips closed together
with snap, betraying the fact that ne