Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-12-30

y
Mr.. Wades daughter" she explained
over her shoulder as the little mare
walked on
The stranger turned his horse into
the aisle behind Molly aud followed
close In her wake
"aiy name Is Norton Scott Norton
he said after little pause, I'm look.
ing for work IN the fields. | was told
Mr.. Wade needed help"
HE does" assented Molly eagerly.
They want 10 make crop before the
Goth, and father was wishing this
morning for half dozen extra men,"
II am very glad" said Norton.
Something In the tone of his voice
thrilled Molly's tender heart She
knew as plainly as II he had told her
IN so many words that he had been Ia
hard luck and that he had travelled
| long distance In search of this job.
| The miserable beast he rode was "A
scarecrow, probably purchased with
| his last penny.
They came to the edge OF the corn.
| field and emerged into a well beaten
road bordered on either side by corn.
| II missed this road somehow" said
Norton, riding abreast Of Molly. 1T
must be well on to noon, isn't TT"
His lack OF u watch deferred Molly
! from looking Mt her own little time
piece. She glanced up at the sun with
a delightful knitting of her pretty
brows.
Dear me. It is late! We must hur-
ry!' she said,
Behind them came the shrek OF q
siren and the distant hum OF a speed
Ing motorcar. Molly had barely time
to urge her mare to the edge OF the
corn when her eyes caught Mortified
| glimpse of the strangers balky horse
rigid In the path OF the speeding vehl.
Gle
There was u warning shout, Il queer
crashing thud and cloud OF dust.
Then Molly found herself kneeling be.
side the PROSTATE stranger, while an
excited nutomobillst borrowed her re-
yolver to still the agony OF the injured
horse.
The party OF men carried the uncon.
scious form OF their victim TO the un.
injured car, and II was Molly Wade,
white Tipped and trembling, who took
place In the tonneau and supported
the qulcf head against her shoulder.
10 her Il seemed as If she was his only
friend In an inhospitabIe land. One of
the men awkwardIy rode the mare In
the rear OF the car. and slowly they
tralled through tho dust toward tho
wide gate OF the ranch.
Jim Wade, sitting on the wide porch.
reading newspaper, saw them com.
Ing, strange procession. The sight
Of stranger riding Daisy was like u
knife thrust In his heart, and when
the machine stopped at the steps he
could barely make his way TO the
ground and assure himself that Molly
was safe and sound.
His daughters voice cut Into the
noisy explanations OF the men.
This man was on his way TO the
ranch looking for work, father, when
he was struck. He must need medical
attention. think he Is recovering
consciousness. II you will take him
Into the house ! Will telephone TO DIR.
Acklin."
1t was the work OF an instant for
the five men TO improyise a litter aud
carry the stranger into the house and
deposit him on Jim Wade's own bed.
Jim Wade himself applied restoratives
and announced that the man had suf-
fcred no injury beyond broken arm
and severe shock. He detained the
automobllists. however, until the ar
rival OF the doctor.
Molly did not appear at dinner where
tho four strangers joined her father.
She had sent Hannah, the servant, to
the sick chamber to await the arrival
OF the doctor while she took the do
lncstics place In the kitchen.
Or. Acklln confirmed Jim Wade's
estimation Of the injuries TO Scott Nor
ton--a badly fractured arm and Sc
we're shaking up. Six weeks confne-
mcnt aud rest for the first and quiet
and repose for the last. The motor
party made up purse for the victim.
which Jim Wade promptly returned to
them.
Hes our friend" he said, with dig
| v.
In trouble and needs me Is my friend.
look out for my friends Take les
son. gentIemen--go slow; go slow!'
I They departed. sobered by the expe.
rience. while Hannah was Installed as
! head nurse IN the sick chamber and
Molly assumed the woman's duties III
the kitchen. Late that evening she re-
lated the incident TO her father. and as
he noted the new light In her eyes his
heart grew troubled.
1.-THE fellow can't be prince In
disguise. Molly. won't have 1t SOL
he blurted out.
"Why, dadp blushed Molly. I'VE
don't know Mr.. Norton. and, anyway.
princes come In coaches and In spien-
did motorcars. with gorgeous clothes.
They don't lose themselves In corn.
fields and ridc-oh. such horrible
horse. fatber. Pm glad the poor beast
u dead."
! And with the change of subject Jim
had to be satisfied
Nevertheless another GUNNER found
Molly preparing for her wedding.
Scott Norton had recovered. been tried
and found TO be the right man wanted
by Jim Wade to assist In the manage
ment Of the ranch He had no people
and no home, and he came TO round
out the family circle at the ranch.
$50 you are Molly's prince" said Jim
Wade. with tears In his eyes; "an
American prince. | take 1t. because
you just came along when you were
needed. need you. and-Molly needs