The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-11-07

V.
One afternoon a strange man came
with the ice.
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he explain
ed. 1t appeared that Brannigan had
been at a fire, and, rushing out of the
burning tenement with a 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.
It was, fortunately, visiting day.
When Brannigan saw Alma enter
the ward his face was irradiated with
JOY. He wanted to jump up and run
to meet her. And yet, when she reach
ed the bedside, he was lying very still,
with closed eyes-or with eyes that
seemed to be closed.
"Ah. an is it your he asked faint
~, feigning a languid awakening.
"'Tis good of We to come, but I'm that
wake l can scacely take it In"
A great lump rose in Alma's throat.
She had not thought to find him 30
low.
"Oh, but you'll soon be better, Mr..
Brannigan" she said, struggling not
to cry.
"Ah, an do ye think soy" he asked
feebly.
'Yes, indeed; you don't look SO very
sick now, really you don't!"
Looks is desavin'!" he sighed; "me
mother was always afeared she'd
niver raise me, an I'm doubtin' she
had the right Of it."
Alma looked down at 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 a pain anywhereT she
asked fearfully.
"Ahful, just here!' said Brannigan,
laying muscular hand upon the car
dlac 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
laughed he could have fallen ut her
fset--she was so adorably innocent!
Alma saw and wholly misinterpreted
the tremor which shook him.
"Are you cold" she inquired, anx-
iously. She knew that it was a bad
sign to feel cold in serious Illness"
"Froze out" said Brannigan, In a
choked voice, another and more vio-
lent tremor convulsing him.
Alma grew seriously alarmed.
Don't they give you anything for a
chill?' she asked.
'They can't give me nothin'," he
whispered, 'twouldn't do no good !"
Poor Alma began to cry. She did
not know people never died Of a bro
ken leg, and with Brannigan's young
strength and health it was inexplica-
BILE.
But, certainly, he was near his end.
Reckless of observation, she bent her
face to his and kissed him. And then
strange thing occurred, for the help:
less sufferer revived, returned her
farewell salute with interest and held
the girl close in clasp of astonish-
ing vigOr.
"Oh, my! Mr.. Brannigan, aren't
you ashamed? And me thinking you
that Ill !" gasped Alma.
But he only laughed in shameless
way.
II niver told We there was anything
wrong wild me arms! !" he cried. AN
l was just sufferin' for a kiss. dear!
Ye've niver let me have one till now!
The repaid himself for the depriva-
tion.) All, Alma, darlin', say yell go
to the priest wild me whin I'm out o
here! I've a tidy bit in the bank, an
niver soul dependin' on me, an I'd
make ye so happy ye'd not know yer
self"
He became aware of the severely
disappearing regard of a middle aged
nurse On the other side ofthe bed aid