The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-07-21

one dDu sne dsheu him "A A0
was.
He told her.
Cannot l make you a little mor
comfortable? he asked as he put her
telescope and umbrella up on the
rack.
Il wonder" she said, timidly.
whether we are on time"
The man caught the inarticulate
howl of the brakeman at the door. and
consulted his time table-the time ia
BILE that was Greek to her-and said:
mo, we are more than an hour
late"
"Oh, It will be after midnight when
! get there"
You are not the only one," he
smiled. ut will be after midnight
when ! get there, too"
Then he picked up a paper and
showed her a cartoon and talked
about the news of the day. When h
asked the conductor when they would
reach lie Pere he looked at her with
sudden interest.
Il am going to LIE Perez" he said:
I'VE shall be late, and If | ear be OF
any assistance. | hope you will allow
' me to be-"
"Oh. thank you," she said. Il am
not used to travelling. This is unusu
al-very. | was sent for"
"Yes?"
"Yes-it's my brother-the only
brother | have. I had a telegram. |
am afraid he is very i'll. People don't
usually telegraph until they are. do
they?"
She told him all about 1t. 1t seemed
SO much safer to talk to this utter
stranger than to the Littleton o n
ductor.
! Perhaps, If you are acquainted In
LIE Pere, you know. my brother, John
Mayne."
John Mayne your brother? I
didn't know he had a sister. I am his
friend and physician-perhaps you've
heard him speak of Ned Hallam; |
had a telegram also. No,"-in answer
no more than o do. I'm simply to
get there as soon as l can"
After that there was no reason why
she should not go in to dinner with
him. and in the light and warmth OF
the dining car she lost her tired look,
bright color futtered in her cheeks.
and they fingered over their coffee
till the waiter looked at them disap-
provingly.
I'VE are losing time constantly" he
said, consulting the time table. II
wonder what's the matter" and then
with a shock and jar the train stood
still. with a broken down engine.
You're dead tired" he said. two
hours later, and there's NO sleeper.
They were to put 1t on at the juno
ton"
She protested that she didn't mind;
she was not sleepy, But he turned
over the empty seat in front Of them
and made her put her feet up on 1t.
He put on a travelling cap hat made
him look years younger. and settled
himself for such rest as might be had.
And sitting primly upright, Miss Win
nifred closed her eyes, only to open
them when the sun shone through the
window the next morning, and to find
her head resting cozily on a broad.
square shoulder.
"Rested?" he said. in a matter-of-
course professional o that put all
embarrassment to flight. I'm SO glad
that you got some sleep. We are here
yet, you see. Now I will see II there's
any chance for breakfast"
He came back. This Is a mans
tragedy" he said. Nothing to eat!
They took the diner OF"
She thought of the thrifty little
lunch-not enough, she was sure. for
two.
But after a hungry hour or two, she
began to feel guilty, like one carrying
concealed weapons.
Please hand me down my tele-
scope" she said. II tool dinner with
you last night; will you take break.
fast with me this morning?"
How good 1t Is" said the man.
you are sure there isn't any more?"
They seemed to have known each 9TH
er for years. In all her life she had
never been so happy In caring for
any one.
The nurse met them at the door.
mr.. Mayne Is much better. He slept
oil night, for the first time"
They went in together.
Dear little girl-it's good to see
you" said the sick man. II was afraid
couldn't wait for you. but seem to
have come back. The doctor will
know whether I've come back to
stay"
The keen, kind eyes that had been
searching him. met his. the fingers
that had already sought pulse and
heart, were laid ~reassuringly on his
hand.
!. 1T looks as II you had. JOHNNY" he
said. as a boy might have said 1t.
.I1l never let you go again. Win
ME-" said the sick man. i hope
there's nobody else. to interfere with