Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-05-28
CHAPTER II.

FACING Ael
CHAPTER II.
Verona stood staring at the man. A
gray greatcoat, closely buttoned, COW
cred him from chin to feet; fiat peaked
cap was pulled forward over his fore
head, pair of very light and keen eyes
regarded her from face which, as far
as she could see it, looked oddly pale.
That, at first glance, was all that she
observed about him, except that lie
breathed in quick and jerky way, APP
parently with difficulty. 1t flashed into
her head that he had been running
What do you want ?" she asked.
Almost with the words she screamed.
AS he released his grip upon the door
post, with a gesture as if he meant to
lift his cap, she saw that there was a
red stain upon it; the involuntary step
forward which he had made brought him
sufficiently into the yellow lamplight
which flowed across the little passage
from her sitting room door to show her
thin line of blood trickling from his fore
head down his cheek.
ooh. you are hurt" she cried.
"a little. Pray don't be alarmed"
Tie Caught luc QOOA POSO again. WIN O
sound that was half a groan and half
an irritated laugh. "I have come to
grief on the moor lost my bearings, and
had an accident-a fall on my head, un-
luckily. It makes me giddy I'm
ashamed to trouble you, but will you
allow me to come in for a little whiler
IL"
He lurched forward, stumbling. We
roma flung her arm round his shoulder.
lean ON me-" she directed quickly.
Don't mind your weight. l am strong
And come in out of the rain; you are al
most soaked already"
He obeyed mechanically, and with her
free hand she closed the door. He was
considerably taller than she, but would
have been slight, she thought, but for
the bulky coat. In moment he recoy-
cred himself, and stood erect in the yell
low lamplight.
"a thousand pardonsl" he said apollo
getically. "The dizziness overcame me
for an instant If you would be so good
as to allow me to sit down for time
should be all right, I think"
Eyes, yes, of coursel This way" said
Verona.
She led the way into the kitchen,
where fire was blazing, and pulled
Hannah's great chair with its patchwork
cushions up to the hearth, bidding him
sit down, and she would light the lamp.
Turning from doing so she found that
her guest had pulled off the peaked cap,
and she saw the long jagged cut close
to his temple She uttered sharp ex-
clamation, and he half laughed, though
with his former note of apology.
Really, don't fancy it is much" he
said Looks worse than it is probably.
If, when this COMPOUNDED giddiness is
passed, you would give me a little
water"
NO, no! 1 will do it," said Verona.
"But can you manage first to let me
take off that coat? 1t is terribly wet.'
With a word of thanks he stood up,
and she helped him off with the coat
throwing it across chair. Under it she
saw he wore a suit of pale-colored
ltweeds. AS he reseated himself he
WINGED, biting his lip.
you have hurt your arm tool" she
exclaimed.
MY shoulder. 1 pitched upon that as
well as upon my head. At first
thought it was dislocated, but it is only
a wrench and bruise. think. 1t is more
painful than my head"
"You are turning faint again. Wait q
moment" said Verona.
She hurried across to the sitting room
returning in a minute with glass con
tanning some crimson liquid in her hand
my father was a doctor" she ex
planned simply This is special cor
dial of his own making. 1t will revive
you better than either wine or spirits
Drink it, pleased"
He obeyed. Waiting until she saw
that the faintness had passed, sht
brought basin and towels, and set her
self to battle the wound upon his head.
Verona was a born nurse-firm, def
and gentle. Forced to press back tbs
thick, dark hair, she naturally tvaminec
the other details of his appearance, anC
approved of them She liked the broad
forehead, straight black brows, and firm
elean-cut lines Of cheek and mouth anc
chin, but he was not, she decided, g
handsome man.
She brought the things necessary, anc
strapped as skilfully as she had bathed
The business over, she stood for mo
inent watching him as he pressed hi:
shoulder and arm; his face was less
white now-the cordial had done it
work well
Il am very glad you saw the light,
&ald Verona. 1t was true this little mp
pie of sensation in the monotonous
stream of her life had pleased, reused
excited her.
How amusingly ODD it was, sh'