The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-11-13
BranniSa1'S CourtSbip


Yes. | suppose IL must be"
Brannigan's face assumed a winning
expression Of entreaty.
I'D be proud II ye'd ride out there
with me tOmorry."
Alma's delicate color deepened. She
gazed fixedly at the handle OF the
door. more sensitive admirer than
hers might have suspected a Lint OF
dismissal in the direction OF her gaze
but Brannigan was not sensitive. lie
came a step nearer.
All. say now, won't We go?"
Alma was silent still
Let's say O'Clock"
I'm not through my work till 4
II was the same thing as an assent.
III call for We al 4 :"
He went of beaming. but her voice
made him turn back in sudden panic.
Don't call for me" she said. In a
low. hesitating tone. You'd rather
you wouldn't Maybe I'll be at the
corner at 4.
The maybe" had no terrors for
Brannigan who read equalization in
every word and every line OF the
dropping figure. with its back kept
turned away. He marched forth ra-
diant
The ride out on the open car was
very pleasant. Alma enjoyed every
biz OF il. though she asked herself fire.
Quently: What was she about?
Brannigan was not retrospective:
besides. he knew what he was about.
perfectly. He paid Alma's fares with
an authority she dared not gainsay
and sat with his arms on the back OF
the seat behind her. his eyes travelling
delightedly from her Sunday hat with
its impossible decorations, 10 her
sweetly embarrassed face and back
again. He felt the end in view
She's my gyurl." he was saying TO
himself. proudly. IAN ii she don't
know il yet. she's gOin' 10"
His heart swelled; he almost wished
some man would do something for
which he could knock him down. He
had the primitive instincts OF the
tribal lover; he wanted 10 show and
to have her know that strength would
always stand between her and danger.
This feeling increased as time went
on and he saw more and more clearly
that Alma was unhappy al home. Her
eyes were often red. She complained
OF headache and, on being pressed.
confessed that the boys were tire
some"
Brannigan once heard one OF them
speak rudely 10 her and promptly lift
ed the young cub by the scruff OF the
neck. demanding If he knew what they
did TO bad boys in the West. Tommy
whined a denial and Brannigan thun-
dered out:
Well. If liver hear We open your
head 20 your sister that way again
III show ye,"
But it only made things harder for
Alma to have a champion. The step
father dropped insinuations which
made her face burn and the boys
jeered her about her sweetheart"
Say" Brannigan announced one
Sunday. IF that stepfather OF yours
don't behave himself Ill be SEWN a
button on him one Of these days"
Alma dreaded some such issue; she
changed the subject
One afternoon a strange man came
with the ice
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he ex-
planned. II appeared that Brannigan
had been at a fire and. rushing ont Of
the burning tenement with forgotten
baby had fallen and broken his leg
He was in the city hospital.
The next day Alma dressed herself
with care in the blue gown Brannigan
liked and outspreading ribbons and
started for the hospital The boys
saw her before she gained the corner
and screamed impertinences after her.
but she never turned her head
IL was, fortunately a visiting day.
When Brannigan saw Alma enter
the ward his face was irradiated with
JOY. He wanted TO jump up and run
10 meet her. And yet. when she
reached the bedside. he was lying very
still. with closed eyes-or with eyes
that seemed TO be closed
All. an is II you9" he asked faint
ly feigning a languid awakening.
It's good OF we to come. but I'm that
wake | can scarcely take 1t in"
great lump rose in Alma's throat.
She had not thought to find him so
low.
''Oh. but you'll soon be better. Mr..
Brannigan." she said. struggling not
to cry.
"Ah. an do ye think so?" he asked
feebly.
Yes. indeed; you don't look so very
sick now. really you don't"
Looks is decavin"" he sighed. NE
mother was always afeared she'd
niver raise me-. an I'm doubtin' she
had the right Of IT,"
Alma looked down al his splendid
proportions in perfect seriousness. A
sense OF humor had not been included
among her other qualities and Branni-
gan's fun always bewildered her.
DO you feel pain anywhere?" she
asked fearfully.
''Ahful. just here" said Brannigan.
laying a muscular hand upon the car
diac region. Not a muscle Of her face
changed. as he saw through his half
shut eyes. A ripple Of laughter passed
over him and he bit his lips under the
long, tawny mustache And while he
laughted he could have fallen at her
feet-she was so adorably innocent,
Alma saw and wholly misinterpreted
the tremor which shook him.
Are you cold2" she inquired. anx.
lousy. She knew that IL was a bad
sign 10 feel cold in serious illness"
'Froze OUT" said Brannigan. in a