Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-26


can show you the way easily. l am
Mr.. wade'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 in her wake.
NY name is Norton-Scott Norton"
be said after little pause. "Pm look
ing for work In the fields. was told
Mr.. Wade needed help"
HE does,n assented Molly eagerly.
They want to make crop before the
10th. and father was wishing this
morning for half dozen extra men"
Il am very glad" said Norton.
Something in the tone Of his voice
thrilled Molly's tender heart She
knew as plainly as il be had told her
in 50 many words that he had been In
hard luck and that be had Travelled q
long distance In search Of this job.
The miserable beast he rode was q
ecarecrow, probably purchased with
his last penny.
They came to the edge OF the corn
field and emerged int 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 itT'
! His lack Of watch deferred Molly
from looking at her own little time
piece. She glanced up at the sun with
a delightful knitting of her pretty
bruws.
Dear me, it is late, We must hur-
ryr' she said.
Behind them came the shrek Of
siren and the distant hum of speed
ing motorcar. Molly had barely time
to urge her mare to the edge OF the
corn when her eyes caught horrified
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 automobilist borrowed her re-
volver 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 it was Molly Wade,
white Tipped and trembling. who took
a place in the tonneau and supported
the quiet head against her shoulder.
To her 1t seemed as If she was his only
friend in an inhospitable land. One of
the men awkwardly 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 Hike 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 was on his way to the
ranch looking for work, father, when
he was struck He must need medical
attention. l think he Is recovering
consciousness. II you win take him
into the house I win telephone to DR..
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 broken arm
| and severe 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 sent 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
| DIR. Acklin confirmed Jim Wade's
estimation of the injuries to Scott Nor
ton-a badly fractured arm and Sc
we're shaking up Six weeks confine-
ment and 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
nifty. ANY one that comes to my door
| in trouble and needs me is my friend.
look out for my friends. Take les
son, gentlemen-go slow; go sloww
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 prince in
disguise, Molly. l won't have it sor'
be blurted out
"Why, dadv 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. I'm glad the poor beast