The Washington herald., 1907-12-15

below there-at Rough Island Cove, near
the new lighthouse"
/ But" began Grinding, uncertainty
He was going to suggest other plans, but
Phil was now in command
Go" he ordered, as became a doctor s
son; 1T Is partial paralysis, as far as
can make out. And the sooner he is
In bed the better. His daughter will
take care OF him"
Grinding being gone, the procession
Z was speedily formed. Phil called out a
double shift Of his pitmen-all skilled in
carrying the wounded. He had also a
stretcher which had never been used. with
an adjustable I" in front, so that in
/ descending slope the patient might be
| carried fairly level They met Vida half
way uD. AS she came forward the left
hand which gripped the paper fell, heavy
I ana haccid, from the bearing poles. Vida
said not a word. She asked no questions.
Phil, as he replaced H. told her in a
low voice all that he knew.
His room is ready" she said, simply.
Il took ali the things Outr'
And somehow he knew that the room
was her own. and that # had been ready
as soon as his signal had been read. For
/ his poorest pitman it would have been the
same as for Mr. Jacob ROmer OF CORN
The relays OF four marched steadily
/ down the very track by which. on a
former occasion. Vida had gone up TO
advise with PM as 10 the domestic az
fections. They crossed the moor. leaving
the pit and growing ''toon' behind them.
wound through the pines, and after that
the hght-sown birches. with their small.
coined leaves permitted the men on the
lighthouse 20 see them by glimpses.
Dick and Billy were at the foot OF the
/ hill 70 receive the slow-moving party
the four bearers in front. the four pit
men Of the reserve little behind. march
Ing stohdly two and two as If at a
funeral, their cCuntenances composed and
serious. Behind were Vida and Phil, be-
cause az this point the way was narrow
They had come by he old fOotpath into
Portogarden Cove. in order 10 save time.
At the sight Of Mr.. R0mer, thus borne
inanimate into their very haven of shell
ter, Dick and Billy looked at one another.
They would rather II had been any other
man in the world that they we're called
upon 70 succor.
They were AT the door the cottage
now. on the little white plot OF picked
stones. the delight Of Bnly's heart, the
solace Of his Idle afternoons
II we let him in-we shall lose her"
.
lose her He viii take her back to CORN
Castle. I wish he had broken his neck. g"
But as they stood ranged about the
stretcher. while the men were preparing
| 10 lay their burden down, In order 20
straighten their weary packs. Mr. RO-
mer's arm feH down. as Billy said, with
whop' There was n paper between
the fingers. As Billy replaced the hand
across his breast. the strip Of paper slip
ped away from the nerveles grip.
Read that he said, after a glance at
H. And when Billy read. Dick shook his
wise head, and said, He Ordereth ali
things well. There were we. like two
crutes. ready to-to deny the man his
own And God put his hospital certificate
into his hand He is her father-and
neither you nor T. Let him pass. Billy.
Hats on you there, This is the doing OF
the Lord. and wondrous IN our eyes"
But while Dick Finnan. with his hat
In his hand. preceded them up the stairs.
Billy murmvred. Yes, ne's her father
sure. He brought the certificate. IT is
good for its face But all the same 'tis
hard-turrible haVd for US two old men
who have done the cariu' for her.
"Hemiplegia, affecting the LEFT side, not
a severe case Rest. electricity-u VIII
send bauery-let one OF your fellows
come with me, PhiD. and small doses Of
strychnine. I viii send those also made
up-about the 32d of a grain. ! think, But
above all-rcst-'
These were DR.. CalmOnts ordinances.
rapidly delivered. He was IN eners 4tic
man in the exercise Of his profession. and
permitted no discussion or nay-say.
Move him home?-I thought you had
more sense, Phil, He must stay where
he is-that-young lady downstairs viii
look after him. I make no doubt"
Yes. sir" said Phil, who was respect
ful 10 his father In a somewhat old-fash-
ioned manner; she is his only daugh-
teri
"Ah. indeed"' said the doctor. accus-
toned TO family mysteries. Then a
thought seemed to strike him. and Re
fixed his son with an arrogant eve.
But what the sun. moon, and the
seven stars have you got 70 do with
that?-whether she is Mr.. ROmer's daugh-
ter or not. I meanr''
Because. sir" said Phil CaimOnt gent
ly, IL the lady continues of the same
mind, there Is an excellent chance OF
her being your daughter. alsOr'
"Ah.' said the doctor. Well. YOU
have provided yourself with a career
without my interference Il is not my
business II you do the same with a wife.
GOod-day. Philip
Many were the days Of convalescence-
many and weary-down in the small white
house IN Portogarten Cove. But at
least. the patient never grew any worse,
which in itself is 10 improve. DR.. Cal
mont visited faithfully, but not more so
than his son; in addition TO which flags
fickered and wickered all day long an
swering each other between the Cove
and the Heugh, and back again
"Old days come back again!u grinned
Dick Finnan 10 Billy. as they watched
from the completed lighthOuse-their
private property.
DON'T said Billy 7 suppose YOU
wont know. Dick he added apologet-
ically, but between sweethearts this
here is something like eavesdroppingr"
We'll. I never did-what next? Can't
I watch a string of bunting running up
that says. Going on an weH-how's
yourself?S or something like that
You never knew Molly Molloy." said
Dick crushingly. "or you would be more
feeiin'
"ChNr cried Dick. st was only when
our Vida began 10 grow up. and the lads
came round. that we ever heard a word
OF your Molly Molloy and ships cob
blerr'
We'll. Dick, anyway" said Billy tenn
perately, I've been Tilted, all through
bein' red-headed man, and an island
hghthouseman, so I can feel for others.
II l was YOU, 1 should put down that
navy glass;
i thought it was the right real father
with the certificate you We're afraid of,
retorted Dick Finnan, Withdrawing the
glass reluctantly
I'm not tal1in odds. Dick" said Billy,
but If 1 were would stand a hundred 10
one that the young fellow on the cliff