Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-02-10

rate. Ii would De one Oh tue lieu ifohi
the ranch.
"Hellow called Molly musically.
"Hellom came back in a mans deep
voice.
AS the man lifted his battered felt
hat Molly realized that he was stran-
ger, and her cheeks grew warm under
the gaze of his dark eyes. He was
very good to look upon. young and
straight and strong. with sun Drowned
face and chestnut hair. His blue fan
mel shirt was open at the throat. and
the skin below the collar was smooth
and white From the saddle bow
swung a bundle rolled in blanket
Il am afraid I've lost my way.
said the stranger pleasantly. i've
been wandering I'M this corntield for
the last three hours. Perhaps you car
direct me to Wade's place, or Ia It pos.
sible you are lost too:"
Molly smiled and shook her head. II
can show you the way easily. | am
Mr.. Wade's daughter" she explained
over her shoulder as the little mare
walked on.
The stranger turned his horse into
close in her wake.
My name is Norton-Scot Norton"
he said after a little pause. Pm look
ing for work in the fields. | was told
Mr.. Wade needed help"
He does" aSSented Molly eagerly.
They want TO make crop before the
| 10Th. and father was wishing this
morning for half Il dozen extra men"
Il am very glad" said Norton.
Something IN the tone of his voice
| thrilled Moly's tender heart. She
! knew as plainly as If he had told her
| in so many words that he had been In
! hard luck and that he had travelled a
| 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 Oh either side by corn.
| Il missed this road somehow" said
| Norton. riding abreast of Molly. 1T
His lack of watch deferred Molly
from looking at her own little time
piece. She glanced up at the sun with
delightful knitting of her pretty
brOws.
Dear me. it is late! We must bur
ryr' she said.
Behind them came the shrek OF a
| Il it, h-,,, Of
ing motorcar. Molly had barely time
! to urge her mare to the edge Of the
corn when her eyes caught horrined
glimpse of the strangers balky horse
rigid in the path of the speeding vehi'
Gle.
There was a warning shout, a queer
crashing thud and cloud OF dust
Then Molly found herself kneeling be
side the PROSTATE stranger. while an
excited automobilist borrowed her re
eolver to still the agony Of the injured
horse ..E
The party of men carried the uncon
scious form of their victim to the un
injured car. and it was Molly Wade
white Tipped and trembling. who tool
Il place in the tonneau and supported
the quiet head against her shoulder
TO her ii seemed as Ii she was his onl.
friend in an ihhospitabie land. one o
the men awkwardly rode the mare II
the rear of the car. and slowly the.
trailed through the dust toward tn
wide gate of the ranch.
Jim Wade. sitting on the wide porch
reading a newspaper. saw them com
ing, a strange procession. The sigh
Of a stranger riding Daisy was like
knife thrust in his heart, and whe
the machine stopped at the steps b
could barely make his way TO tn
ground and assure himself that Moll
was safe and sound.
His daughters voice cut into tn
[ noisy explanations Of the men.
This man was on his way to tn
ranch looking for work. father. whe
he was struck. He must need medica
attention. | think he is recoverin
consciousness. Ii you will take hii
l into the house will telephone to ID
Acklin."
1 1t was the work of an instant fo
j the five men to improvise litter an
$ carry the stranger into the house an
r deposit him on Jim Wade's own bet
3 Jim Wade himself applied restorative
and announced that the man had su
I fered no injury beyond broken arr
and severe shock. lie detained IL
L automobilists. however, until the a
o rival of the doctor.
u Molly did not appear at dinner whe'
e the four strangers joined ner fathe
10 She had sent Hannah, the servant.
y the sick chamber to await the arriv
e of the doctor while she took the
lie mestic's place in the kitchen.
Is Or. Acklin confirmed Jim Wade
p estimation Of the injuries TO Scott No
ton-a badly fractured arm and
oi we're shaking up. Six weeks comm
nent and rest for the first and qui
re and repose for the last. The mot
III party made up purse for the victil
"a which Jim Wade promptly returned
them.
- Hes our friend" he said. with al
- nifty. ANY one that comes TO my do
~ In trouble and needs me is my frien
H. look out for my friends. Take Il
" son. gentlemen-go slow; 60 slow"