The pioneer express., 1912-08-16

gaze with his own. II am woman,
absolutely alone. entirely at your
mercy; you are stronger than I, I
have no choice but to do what you
bid me. And in addition to the nat
ural weakness Of my sex l am the
more helpless from this foot. What
do you intend to do with me? How
do you mean to treat me?"
It was bold. q splendid question,
and It evoked the answer It merited.
"As God is my Judge" said the man
quietly. "just AZ you ought to be
treated. az I would want another to
treat my mother, or my sister. or my
wife"-she noticed how curiously his
lips suddenly tightened at that word
III / had ono. never harmed q wom-
an in my lifs.' he continued more
earnestly. "only one. that is.. hs cor.
rected himself. and once again she
marked that peculiar contraction Of
the lips. And could not help that, y
he added.
Il trust you." said the girl at last,
after gazing at him long and hard as
II to search out the. secrets Of his very
soul. you have saved my life and
things dearer will be safe with you.
have to trust you"
II hope," came the quick comment,
that It is not only for that. fdon't
want to be trusted upon compulsion." !"
You must have fought terribly for
my life in the fiood." was the answer.
Il can remember what It was now,
and you carried me over the rocks
and the mountains without faltering.
Only man could do what you have
done. I trust you anyway"
Thank you," said the man briefly
as he bent over the injured foot again.
The boot laced up the front, the
short skirt left all plainly visible.
With deft fingers he undid. the sodden
knot and unlaced It, then stood hest
tatingly for moment
I don't like to cut your only pair
OF Shoes" he said as he made a
slight motion to draw it of, and then
observtng-th spasm Of pain, stopped.
Needs must" he continued, taking
out his knife and Sitting the
leather.
He did it very carefully SO as not
to ruin, the boot beyond repair, and
finally succeeded in getting it OF
without giving her too much pain.
And she was not SO tired or so miser-
able as to be unaware 6f his gentle
ness. His manner, matter of fact,
business like, II he had been a doctor
one would have called it professional,
distinctly pleased her in this trying
and unusual position. Her stocking
was stained with blood. The man rose
to his feet. took from rude home
made chair a light Mexican blanket
and laid It considerably across the
girl.
Nov If you can manage to get OF
your stocking yourself. will see what
can be DONE" he said. turning away.
It was the work Of few seconds
for her to comply with his request.
Hanging the wet stocking carefully
over a chair back. he drew back the
blanket little and carefully inspect
ed the poor little foot. He saw at
once that It was not an ordinary
sprained ankle. but It seemed to him
that her foot had been caught be-
tween two tossing logs. and had been
badly bruised. It was very painful,
but would not take 80 long to heal as
q sprain. The little foot, normally 90
white. was now black and blue and
the skin had been roughly torn and
broken. He brought a basin Of cold
water and towel and washed OF the
blood. the girl fighting down the pain
and successfully sitting any outcry.
Now" he said, you must put on
this gown and get into bed. By the
time you are ready for It I viii have
some broth for you and then we Vim
bandage that foot. shall not come
IN here for some time. you WIN be
quite alone and safe.''
He turned and left the room. shut.
ting the door after him as he went
out. For second time that day Enid
Maitland undressed herself and this
time nervously and in great haste.
She was almost too excited and an
prehensive to recall the painful cir.
cumstances attendant upon her f,rst
disro obing. She said she trusted the
man absolutely. yet she would not
have been human if she had not
looked most anxiously toward that
closed door. He made plenty of noise
sln the other room. busting about as
44if to reassnrs her.
She could. not rest the Weight 81