The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-03-07

HawIey."
II asked her directly. after the doc
tor had disappeared"
"You must have become very famil-
lar" questioning once again in her
voice.
$50 Miss Maclaire evidently thought,
Judging from her manner. However
she answered frankly enough, and
even defiantly added the information
that the gentleman had something to
impart to her of the utmost import
ance, sarcastically asking me if I
didn't wish l could be there and over
hear. But sit down, Hope, until tell
you all that has occurred"
He went over the various events in
detail, watching eagerly the express
sion upon her face as she listened In
tently, only occasionally interrupting
with some pertinent inquiry. The light
fell 50 that she sat partially in the
shadow, where her eyes could not be
read, yet he experienced no difficulty
In comprehending the various moods
with which she met his narrative. tho
color changing in her cheeks. her sup
pie form bending toward him. or lean
ing backward In the chair. her fingers
clasping or unclasping In nervous atr
tention.' He began with Neb's report.
repeating, word By word. - nearly -
h could recollect. what had passed
between Hawley and her father. He
paused to inquire II she had ever
heard the name Bartlett, but her ~
ply was. merely negative shake OF
the head. When he described their
missing the train. she was, apparently.
not convinced as to the Generals de-
parture upon 1t, although finally agree
ing that, II no really believed the re-
port that the man sought was else
where, It would be characteristic Of
him to accept the first means OF get
ting there. IF he only knew I was
here" she exclaimed YEARLY, 1T
might be so different, but, oh, we are
all of US just cropping in the dark"
Then Keith turned to his chance meet
ing with Miss Maclaire, and repeated
carefully their conversation, dwelling
particularly upon the few admissions
which had slipped through her lips.
These did not seem important to eth
er, although they treasured them up
and talked them over Then, having
exhausted. the topic, silence fell be-
tween them, Keith asking the privi-
lege OF lighting cigar. Hope, after
watching him apply the match, think
ing what a fine face ne had as the
rudy flame brought 1t forth with the
clearness Of q cameo, leaned back,
drawing aside the semblance to lace
curtain, and staring forth. without see
ing, into the street.
Somehow, it was hard for her to full
ly realize the situation. and how close
ly it affected her. The swiftly passing
events, the complication arising SO
suddenly. apparently out OF nothing,
left her feeling as though she must
surely awake from a dream. She could
not comprehend what it was all
about; the names Bartlett and Phyl-
lis had no clear meaning, they repre-
scented nothing but shadows; and this
other woman--this music hall singer
what could there be In common be-
tween them? Yet there must be
Notwithstanding of vital import
ance to her father-something which
had already cost her brothers life.
That was the one thing which made It
his teeth open-well, he got 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 inch-quarter of an
inch too high-scraped the dung
Lord, If can only get it out-got to
do 1t now-can't wait-here, Bristoe,
that leather case on my saddle-run,
damn you-we'll 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 caHteens- tear me off a
strip of your under-skirt-what am I
going to do?-extract the ball-got to
do it-blood poison in this SUM-"
She ripped her skirt, handing it to
him without word; then dropped her
white face in her hands, bending.
with closed eyes, over the winter face
resting on her lap, her lips trembling
with the one prayer, "Oh, God! Oh,
Cod" 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 head was IN her lap,
the deft, quick movements of Fairs
balm. and then -
That's tive got it. missed the
lung by hair-damn me I'm proud OF
that job-you're a good girl q
! She looked at him, scarce able to
see, her eyes blinded with tears.
''Will-will he live? Oh, tell me! :.
: Live! Why shouldn't her nothing
but hole to close up-nature'll do
that, with a bit of nursing here, now
don't you keel over-give me the rest
Of that skirt"