Democratic messenger., 1910-01-29

direct me to wade's place. or IL II pos
slble you are lost tooY'
Molly smiled and shook her head. Il
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
.he aisle behind Molly and followed
close In her wake.
MY name Is Norton-Scott Norton
he said after little pause. I'm look
ing for work In the fields. l was told
Mr.. Wade needed help"
"Ile does" assented Molly eagerly.
They want 10 make crop before the
10th. and father was wishing this
morning for half n dozen extra men,"
II am very glad said Norton.
Something In the tone of his voice
thrilled Molly's tender heart. She
knew as plainly as II he had told her
In So many words that he had been In
hard luck and that he had travelled
long distance In search Of this job
The miserable beast he rode was
scarecrow. probably purchased with
his last penny
They came to the edge OF the corn
| field and emerged into a well beaten
road bordcred on either side by corn.
Il missed this road somehow" said
Norton. riding abreast Of Molly. ut
must be well on 10 noon, isn't it?"
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 latel We must hur-
ry," she said.
Behind them came the shrek OF a
siren aud 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 horritied
glimpse Of the strangers balky horse
rigid in the path of the speeding vehi-
Gle.
There was a warning shout, queer
| crashing thud and cloud OF dust.
| Then Molly found herself kneeling be-
| side the PROSTATE stranger while an
excited automobilist borrowed her re-
volyer 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 Il was Molly Wade.
white Tipped and trembling. who took
a place Ia the tonneau and supported
the quiet head against her shoulder.
To her It seemed as If she was his only
friend in an lnhospitable 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 newspaper. saw them com
| ing. a strange procession. The sight
Of a stranger riding Daisy was like
| 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. | think he is recovering
consciousness. II you will take him
into the house ! will telephone to Dr.
Acklin.''
II was to work Of an instant for
the five men to improvise 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-
fereti no injury beyond broken arm
and severe shock. lie detained the
| automobillsts. 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 70 await the arrival
Of the doctor while she took the do
mestic's place Ia the kitchen.
Dr. Acklln confirmed Jim Wade's
estimation Of the injuries 10 Scott Nor
ton-a badly fractured arm and Sc
we're shaking up Six weeks confne-
ment and rest for the first and quic
ana TtIfpSt ihI tut ilNts AN AANtNf
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 ont for my friends. Take les
son. gentlemcn--go slow; 20 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 10 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 Il so.
he blurted out.
why. dad" bushed Molly. I'VE
don't know Mr.. Norton. and. anyway
..,.t..oo. ,,u,a In caaehaS aud In SDicu-