The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-04-01
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> THE DAILY STORY Q
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The Luck OF Larkin
(Staey Il. Bakerl

bolNS " Lne MOOfSlOWn tunnel, ana
resolutely tried To plough it's way
through the rock.
Steven Larkin, after extrieatihg
himself from the debris of the last
pullman, found himself with broken
wrist and badly damaged side.
My good fellow he called, LarkinI
was an actor. My good fellow, come
here A bearded rustic gaping at
some little distance away, hurried for.
ward
is there a doctor hereabouts?n
None higher than eight miles"
Il can't continue this way com
planned LarlSin, petulantly. The numb
ness of the sudden break was com
mcncing to die away, and the deep,
throbbiDg pain substituting itself,
brought with II disgusting nausea.
Not much you cant" contributed
the other. 'It'll be hours before the
tracks clear enough for trains to come
and go on. Fest thing you can do,
reckon Is to stop here and''--an ava
rlcious CLEAN crept into the eyes OF
the localite-"fll use you as well as
any one. and for as little money.
You'll find my house the third on the
right hand side Of the road, if you
want TO so down there and stay to-
night. Doctors will be in soon from
all around Fli see that you get one.
My daughter will come to the door.
Tell her who you are, and that sent
YOU, and for her to give you the
spare room The Moorstown man
turned away
In the gathering dusk of the even
ing, Lal'kin made comprehensive
survey of the badly dilapidated train,
The coaches OF which, strewn along
by the rails, were here and there be-
ing eaten into by thin threads of
flame Sweatgrimmed employees of
the road and Moorstowners co-operat-
ed in rescuing the wounded and dead.
II was the most disastrous wreck OF
the year.
Larkin weak limp, and in the throes
of an acute pain growing keener each
instant, stumbled down the road in
the direction given him by the native.
AT the door of small gray house,
with white gravel path leading up
to it; q path. dividing spacious
yard with the bloom of spring in itr
syringa and lilac bushes, its long beds
Of pansies and lilies of the valley,
Larkin stopped. He tapped at the
door.
The slim girl answering the sum
mons was the very antithesis Of the
image in the mind of the man. She
had dark eyes, keenly sensitive to the
predicament of the tall youth with
the set Jaws. A firm little hand as.
sisted him TO enter
your father gasped Larkin, now
well beside himself with the agony
Of his hurt wrist and wounded side"
your father sent me here
From the great easy chair in the
prcttily furnished parlor, the actor,
senses self-ccntered by pain, failed
to notice the start OF surprise follow
ed by the little smile curving the per-
feet lips of the girl.
Il will do the best i can for you,"
said the girl simply. Il am glad you
came, Others-and a physician--will
be here shortly"
The parlor door closed softly as
the girl went to answer the door. The
pretty house dress and the firm, easy
carriage would have impressed Lark
in at any other time.
"Other Victims explained his
ihostoss, returning, "My-er--ouf
house is small There will be no
more patients, but the doctor is here,
ami he will be in to see you LarR-
in accepted glass of some stimulat-
ing beverage and closed his eyes for
a brief moment
The door opened again Careful
fingers touched the broken wrist OF
the young man. But, supersensitive,
the youth instantly came out of his
daze and little lines Of pain furrowed
his strong face:
'Umm, murmured the elderly ply
sician. Bad break. The doctor
clipped his sentences. TOO bad.
Careful now lie examined the wrist
Suddenly his two hands closed over
ihe hurt member. There was an audi
Bile snap and smothered scream
from Lafkin. The wrist was set.
You must not move for week,
cautioned the medicine man. after an
examination. You have three broken
ribs. and, although | have bandaged
them neatly, | won't be accountable !
for what happens: If YOU attempt TO
90. Your hostess can vouch for
this-will be perfectly willing for you
10 remain, although | should not ask
II if there was a hospital, sanitarium
or decent hotel in the community"
Larkin, 100 spent to protest, lay
back on his pillow. He had been put
tC bed BY the determined physician.
Thanks 10 sedatiye, he closed his 4
eyes--and slept
Before the week was done the
house was cleared Of patients with
the one exception of Larkin. Ho
stayed on Evely day he was fearful
lest the physician announce that he
wa $ well enough TO resume his in
terrupted journey.
where Is your father?" asked the
actor one morning, gazing at the girl
with appreciative eyes. II haven't I
seen him since the day of the wreck" !"
IL why. he isn't here now"
stammered the crimson-faced maid.
She hurried from the room. Larkin
her exit with surprised eyes.
Hmm muttered the man. Il won
Ter what I've said TO hurt her feel.
ngs. Come to think of it. the old
chap didn't look very honest. Maybe
he Is in Jail But when the girl re-
urned to the room the flush was
rome from her cheeks. and she wasl