Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1910-07-01

direct me 10 Wades place, or ~ II pos
sible you are lost toor'
Molly smiled and shook her head. Il
can show you the way easily. am
Hr. wnde's daughter" she explained
over her shoulder as the little mare
walked on.
The stranger turned his horse into
the aisle behind Molly and followed
close iD her wake.
"My maine is Norton-Scott Norton"
be said after a little pause. I'm look.
ing for wotS in the fields. I was told
MIR. Wade needed help"
"He does" Hssented Molly eagerly.
"They van 70 make crop before the
10th. and father was wishing this
morning for half a dozen extra men"
Il am very glad" said Norton.
Something IN the one OF his voice
thrilled Molly's tender heart She
knew as plainly as II he had told her
in so many words that be 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
bis last penny.
They came TO the edge OF the corn-
Geld and emerged into a well beaten
road bordered on either side by corn.
Il missed this road somehow" said
Norton. riding abreast OF Molly. 1T
must be well on to noon. isn't it7'
His lack OF a watch deferred Molly
from looking at her own little time
piece. She glanced up at the sun with
a delightful knitting Of her pretty
brows.
Dear me. 1t is latel We must bur
ry!" she said.
Behind them came the shrek OF q
siren and the distant hum of a speed.
ing motorcur. Molly had barely time
to urge her mare TO the edge OF the
corn when her eyes caught a horriiei
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 q cloud OF dust.
Then Molly found herself kneeling be-
side the PROSTATE stranger. while an
excited automobllist borrowed her re-
volver to still the agony Of the injured
horse.
The party Of men carried the uucon-
scious form OF their victim to the IN
Injured car. aud It was Molly Wade.
white Tipped and trembling. who took
u place In the II and supported
the quiet head against her shoulder.
To her It seemed as If she was his only
friend In an inhospitable land. One of
the men awkwnrdly rode the mare in
the rear of the car. and slowly they
trailed through the dust toward the
wide gate Of the ranch.
Jim Wade. sitting on the wide porch,
reading a newspaper. saw them com-
ing. a strange procession. The sight
of a stranger riding Daisy was like a
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 vas on his way to the
ranch looking for work. father. when
he was struck. He must need medical
attention. I 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 improvise a litter and
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-
fered no injury beyond a broken arm
and sever shock. He detained the
Automobiles. however, until the ar
rival Of the doctor.
Molly did not appear at dinner where
the four strangers Joined her father.
She had sem Hannah. the servant, to
the sick chamber to await the arrival
Of the doctor while she took the do
mestic's place In the kitchen.
DR.. Acklin confirmed Jim Wade's
estimation Of the Injuries to Scott Nor
ton-a badly fractured arm and a Sc
we're shaking up. Six weeks eOndne-
ment and rest for the drst and quiet
and repose for the last, The motor
party made up a purse for the victim.
which Jim Wade promptly returned to
them.
Hes our friend he said, with dig
nifty. ANY one that ome 10 my door
In trouble and needs me is my friend.
l look out for my friends. Take a les
son, gentlemen-go slow; go slow"
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 In
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 a prince In
disguise. Molly. ! won't have II sol"
he blurted out.
why. dad!' blushed Molly. I'VE
don't know Mr.. Norton. and. anyway.
princes come In coaches and in splen-
did motOrcars. with gorgeous clothes
They don't lose themselves in corn
fields and ride-oh. such a horrible
horse. father. Fun glad the poor beast
Is dead"
And with the change Of subject Jim
had to be satisfied.
Nevertheless another summer found