Arizona republican., 1910-07-26
6zEe9RGE H- FORD

Whats that? The hutter of an eyelu another tnge of red on that deathy cheek, faint sigh and, Ned lifted his hands, a long drawn breath, hur ryng footsteps near and the doctors cheery voice. "Bravely done, my boy; you've saved him, and Ned, past the limit of his endurance, fell like log Tn a dead faint.
 white bed at home with a vague remembrance of be- ing carried and of riding in carriage, but with very real throbbing headache and soreness ot body that he was at loss, for while to account Tor.
 Gradually, however, the whole exciting experience of the morning came back to hm. ,,
 His first question How IS Polly, mother?'
 Alive dear thanks to your skill and courage. And now, not another word about It. The doctor says you must be quiet.
 It was all very well to be dubbed "hero, and noble son" and all that but that little performance of his in the early hours of that morning was cer tainy neither noble nor heroic. It was, he admitted to himself, How down and sneaky, and he went to sleep with firm determination to tell Polly all about 1t as he saw him.
 No evil effects developing in the morning. Ned was released from confinement and strOlled Tn to breakfast with all the airs which he felt his present dignity required.
 Ned had called with numerous messages to Polly. who improving daily. At last one evening Mrs. Brown told him that Polly wished to see him, they thought he might do the next morning Ii Ned would come up abo-t eleven o'clock.
 He was promptly hand and was ushered up to the sCkrOOm by the nurse.
 There was his friend. propped up on his pillows, with an eager smile of welcome on his pale face
 Hello Ned I'm mighty glad they let you up. I've been awfully lonely" said Polly Sit down
 Ned took t.e chair which the nurse placed for How is your back now, Polly? Does it pain you much? he asked.
 Not half so much as it did when old Farmer HasSins got through with the day he caught us riding his old marc Do you remembers:
 Do IT. replied Ned, put at his ease at once by this assurance of Polys interest m earthly affairs, q should say l didV
 Polly" said Ned, after interval of silence. "have you ever done anything mean and sneaky that you ashamed to tell of it?
 i Il|11,- 1ff fly ashamed of some things I've done, but I'd just soon tell about them. Have you, Ned?"
 Yes" said Ned. "I have, once
 When was that? or don't you want to tell?"
 "Ill tell you some time when-well-' with side glance at the who sat reading by the win dow-"when you get well, stammered Ned.
 "Oh, I'll away If you boys have secrets to talk about" laughed the nurse, jumping up; "only don't get too interested because Master Saunders will have to go in half hour, she retired
 T want to tell you this thing Polly" said Ned when they alone, "because-well, because I've been waiting to tell you; because-wen' because want you to know.
 This was certainly rambling preamble, but Ned did not know just how to start the confession he about to make.
 "No-o, not since; in fact, Polly, it was just be. fore. It was something l did to you Oh, Polly! I'm st sorry did it. It's all my fault that you hurt your back l didn't mean 1t; really didn't; and tried to stop you Polly, but you would do 1t. l want to tell you all about it and will, so listen; and Ned doggedly went the whole story and at it's conclusion sat with averted face waiting the burst of anger which, from his knowledge of his friends character he felt he had every reason to expect.
 Not a word came to his ears. however. and when Ned at last turned to look Polly sat with hand out stretched to his unhappy friend
 Ned seized 1t, and gave 1t such squeeze that its owner winced, and n sIite of the big lump in his throatNed managed to gup out, Thank you. Polly
 That's all right Ned" and then they were inter rupted by the nurse, who announced that time up and abruptly hustled Ned off home lighter hearted than he had been for many day.
 That evening Ned sought out his father as he was enjoying his quiet evening cigar alone on the
 Father" said he; do you remember that you asked me some time ago what l wanted for my = Yes. my boy, do," responded Mr. Saunders; and you modestly asked for new breech-loading shotgun
 Well, sir, I would very much like to know if you had decided to give it to me" proceeded Ned
 Now. Ned" said his father, this Is altogether Monday"
 No father" persisted the boy; "that is not what mean at all ] saw Polly to-day and I told him night, and he kind and generous. and so for giving, that thought as l had been so hateful to him 1 should like to do something for him. Now he has no gun at all, and whenever go shooting he has to borrow one from somebody, and 1 thought that If you meant to give me gun. 1 should like it better if youwould give it to to give to Polly
 But, Ned. what will you do?"
 I'll do very we'll can use my old single barrel still and 1t IS not much of nuisance after all when one IS used to it. Please let me have my way about it, father; that s. he added, If you did mean me to have the gun
 "Very we'll Ned; it shall be as you wish and I'll order the gun tonight from New York. How would you like it tmarked?'
 q hadn't thought of that, but will, and let you know in a little while' answered his joyfuy as he started go upstairs. Thank you so very, very much" .''
 Retiring to his bedroom he closed the door, emerging an hour later with slip of papers which he handed to his father, saying, That is what I should like, sir may. Only it might be engraved better than that"
 Mir. Saunders smiled he read this legend labor iously traced on the slip of paper:
 POLLY BROWN,
 from NED SAUNDERS,
 Aug. 4, 1900.
 "1 think can understand this Ned but you have ar-1ict obc No