The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-08

IN serious INJURY,
Some of you boys run for doctor
quick" commanded the young mar
sharply. The little fellow has D
broken leg"
The entire gang raced up the street
after the physician, and Lucy was left
alone with the stranger.
May | come IMP she demanded
coldly 1T is my brother whom you
have injured"
"You will be most welcome" was
the courteous reply. MY fathers
household does not include any wo.
men, and was somewhat at loss to
make him comfortable. l am Lleuten.
ant Paul Moulton," he added by way
of introduction. MY father is Colonel
Moulton, and l am visiting him on
leave"
II am Lucy Treadgear," announced
Lucy in response, 1T is my brother
James, whom you have injured"
Moulton stepped aside to permit her
to enter, and after closing the gate
he led the way into the house, where
Jimmie lay on sofa in the library
with the white haired old soldier lean.
ing over him and trying to soothe his
fear.
He seems to be more frightened
than hurt" explained the colonel as he
gave place to Lucy, 'and a broken leg
Is no joke at that"
"No wonder" was the indignant re.
sponse, when 1t is known that you
have shot at several boys. 1t is for.
tunate that you did no more than
break his eg-fortunate for you, |
mean" she added in explanation.
Bless your pretty face. / had moth
ing to do with 1t, declared the colonel
"As for the shooting, a few blank car.
tridges and my consequent bad reputa-
tion have been the salvation of my
fruit trees. This little fellow will tell
you himself that neither Paul nor |
was in the garden when he fell and
broke his leg
Lucy looked inquiringly at Jimmie.
who nodded.
'The boys pushed me up too, fast"
he explained. 81 went right on over
And didn't get the ball, he added in
consequentially. land Billy's mall lick
him for losing 1t. and Don Fraser said
he'd lick me If didn't get It."
"I'n find it." volunteered the lieuten-
ant, and he slipped out, leaving Lucy
with the colonel.
my bark is worse than my bite"
explained the old colonel, with red
dening face. 81 had to do something
to keep the boys from overrunning
my garden, but did not suppose that
the grownups would take my threats
seriously. | shall have to make Paul
my deputy to clear my reputation"
The arrival of the physician inter-
rupted the conversation, and present
ly the colonel himself tenderly carried
the boy to the waiting carriage and
insisted that Paul ride on the box
with the driver In case he might be
needed.
1t was perhaps only natural that
Paul should call frequently to ask
after the invalid and that he should
select Lucy as his first proselyte in his
work In behalf of his father
Forty years in a garrison would
ruin the temper Of any man." he de-
clared, "and you cannot very well
blame dad for wanting to be let alone
when he had the chance. He loves
and the boys we're wreck
ing his grounds. He simply had to
scare them off"
HE was very effective in his meth
ods," agreed Lucy, almost too much
30. For moment l supposed that he
really had broken Jimmie's leg"
II wish that / could make you re-
alize what a splendid father he ls,"
said Paul, with enthusiasm.
Il do not remember my father very ,
well," said Lucy reminiscently. "He
lied just after Jimmie was born. | /.
was only eight" /
"Let me share mine with you" Of
fered Paul generously. "Will you,
1earP !
From a coign of vantage on the far
iide of the street the gang watched .
he wedding procession emerge from
he church and set up shout as jim
ME, resplendent in white satin coat
ind knickerbockers, preceded the hap
~ couple as their page.
Jimmie looks like a stick Of can
ly," declared the captain contemptu-
)usly, but he's got an all right sis
er. There amt many girls that would
marry a man just to save their little
brother from man like Colonel Moul-
on. He was just goin' to kill Jimmie
when she rushed in and said If he
would spare Jimmie's life she would
marry the lieutenant"
The gang looked with awe upon the
,rave bride, and Lucy, radiant in her
lew happiness, never realized that
hey were cheering her with such en-
husiasm because she had sacrificed
erself to fate to save her little
rother il