Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-03-28
47ALE OF TIE pL Ans

out peroeiving more he knew already
what was waiting there on the sand.
and swore flercely, squirting his horse
mercilessly, forgerful of all else, even
the girl, in his intense desire to reach
and touch the bodies. He had begged
to do this himself, to be privileged
to seek this man Hawley, to kill him
but now he was the physician. with no
other thought except hope to save.
Before his horse had even stopped he
flung himself from the saddle, ran
forward and dropped on his knees be-
side Keith, bending his ear to the
chest. grasping the wrist in his I'm
gers. As the others approached, he
glanced up, no conception now of
aught save his own professional work.
Water, Bristoe, he exclaimed
sharply Dash some brandy In it.
Quick now There, that's it; hold his
head up-higher Yes, you do it, Miss
Hope; here. Ben, take this, and pry
his teeth open-weli, he got a swallow
anyhow. Hold him just as he is-can
you stand it? I've got to find where
he was hit.
"Yes-yes," she answered. don't.
don't mind me-"
He tore open the wooden shirt.
soaked with blood already hardening,
felt within with skilled fingers, his
eyes keen. his lips muttering uncon-
sciously.
Quarter of an quarter of an
inch too high-scraped the lung
Lord. if | can only get it out-got to
do 1t now-can't wait-here. BIistoe,
that leather case on my saddle-run.
damn you-we,n save him yet, girl
there, drop his head in your lap-yes.
cry If you want to--only hold still
open the case, will you-down here,
where can reach it-now waterfall
our anteens-Hope, tear me OF q
strip of your under-skirt-what am
going to do?-extract the ball-got to
do it-blood poison In this sum-.
She ripped her skirt, handing 1t to
him without word; then dropped her
white face in her hands. bending.
with closed eyes. over the whittier face
resting on her lap. her lips trembling
with the one prayer. "Oh. God! Oh.
God! How long he was at it, or
what he did, she scarcely knew-she
heard the splash Of water; caught the
flash Of the. sun on the probe; felt the
half conscious shudder of the wound
ed man, whose nead was IN her lap.
the deft. quick movements OF Fair
balm. and then
That's tive got it-missed the
lung by hair damn me I'm proud OF
that job-you'rc good girl"
She looked at him. scarce able to
see, her eyes blinded with tears.
.'Will--will he live? Oh, tell met
Live. Why shouldn't he?-nothing
but a hole to close up-nature'n do
that. with a bit of nursing here. now
don't you keel over-give me the rest
of that skirt"
He bandaged the wound. then
glanced about suddenly
HoW's the other fellow"
Dead. returned Bristoe. "shot
through the heart"
Thought so have seen Keith shoot
before-I wonder how the cuss ever
managed to get him.
AS he arose to ms feet. his red face
glistening with Precipitation, and be-
gan strapping his leather case. the
others rode up, and Bristoe. explaining
the situation. set the men to making
preparations for pushing on to the
water-hole. Blankets were swung be-
tween ponies, and the bodies Of the
dead and wounded deposited therein.
firm hands ON the brides. Hope rode
close beside Keith. struggling to keep
back the tears. as she watched him
lying motionless. unconscious. scarce
" breathing. So. under the early glow
OF the desert stars. they came to the
water-hole. and halted.
The wounded man opened his eyes.
and looked about him unable to com
prehend. At flrst all was dark, silent:
then he saw the stars overhead. ard q
breath Of air tanned the nearby ire.