Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-10-09

"I'm afraid this will be the worst
case" he said. Seems like concussion
of the brain. Well see that everything
possible is done for her."
Hartleigh looked pityingly at the slim
slip of a girl, her head bandaged and
her face flushed with fever. "She's an
orphan-no relatives-poor little thing.
And he touched her hand gently.
The girls fingers clasped his, and she
opened her eyes Unexpectedly.
"Dick, you'll stay" she begged
breathlessly-'you'll not leave me
aloneT
Richard Hartleigh sat down by the
bed and huinored her feverish fancy.
"Yes, Louise; yes, little girl. I'll stay"
be said soothingly.
1t was not until the Doctor ard the
| trained nurse arrived from towl q.
hour later that he unclasped his fin
gers gently and left her.
He walked up and down the meadow
path smoking quietly.
II wonder" he exclaimed finally,
''who in thunder Dick isv'
A month later he went down in his
automobile to take her for her first out
ing since the accident
"The doctor says you are doing fine
| ly." He tucked robe around her feet
and put an extra cushion for her back.
Honestly, this accident policy bust
ness is fascinating" he jumped in be-
side her and started the machine.
| Il had no idea an insurance com.
pany did SO much for people," she
laughed. 1T has paid doctors bills.
sent flowers and fruit and come down
twice week to see how the policy
holder was getting on-and lots of
things"
Hartleigh chuckled rather sheepishly.
1.-The flowers and fruit were little
extra touches thrown In" he con-
| ceded.
When he came the next week, he
found her strong enough to ramDle
down the meadow path with him, and
| they finally sat on the fallen log by
the creek to rest
~ must leave here next week." she
said somewhat regretfully. Il teach
school, and school opens the 1st of Sep.
tember."
Couldn't you wait until you are quite
well-raally strong?" he urged.
'The accident Insurance will not lest
forever" she reminded. II don't see
how you were able to make 1t cover SO
many things, anyway"
He gazed at the waters of the little
creek flowing h-pnotically before him.
who's Dick he finally asked eb
ruptly.
She turned her face away.
"Dick was my brother" she said soft
ly. HE was drowned in the Galveston
food We were together on the SECOND
floor Of our house. The first floor was
a foot deep In water. He insisted that
he would swim to the nearest neigh
boris for help. begged him not to go
but he went and was drowned"
They sat in silence until Hartleigf
spoke.
"Louise-my own people call me Dicl
and the first time saw you-yor
chung to my fingers and called me Dici
and begged me not to leave you.t Yor
were not conscious then, but I've beer
wishing that you would do 1t again"
II was half conscious" she said slow
ly, 'and I have dim recollection Of
your promising that you would mo-
feave!'
The manager Of the Possible Acct
dent company positively beamed.
"Our company fulfills all its obliga
tions," he said, taking her in his arms
"In addition to the doctor and nurse
and flowers, Wen throw In home and
husband and even mother-in-law
and few cousins. We are good to al
our patrons, but we even furnish rela
tives when the beneficiary needs them
She seemed to find the way he had
drawn her head against his roug,
tweed shoulder most comforting, fol
she smiled up into his face contentedly