Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-03-27


what was waiting there on the sand.
and swore flercely. squirting his horse
mercilessly, forgetful 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 a 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. Br1stoe.' he exclaimed
sharply. Dash some brandy in 1t.
Quick now. There, that's 1t; hold his
head up-higher. Yes, you do 1t, Miss
Hope; here. Ben, take this. and pry
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" I, ~
"Yes-yes," she answered. don't
QOn [ nina me. 5r... h 7r ,'.=s.
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 lung
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-well 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 l can reach it-now waterfall
our canteens-Hope. tear me OF q
strip Of your under-sktrt-what am
going to do?-extract the ball-got to
do tt-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! on.
God!" How long he was at 1t, 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 dead 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're a good girl"
She looked at him. scarce able to
see, her eyes blinded with tears.
"Wil1-will he live? Oh, tell mel"
Live! Why shouldn't he?-noth1ng
but hole to close up-nature'll do
that, with bit Of nurslng-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
befoee-I wonder how the cuss ever
managed to get him" e
Al he arose to ais feet. his red face
glistsning with perspiration. and be-
othars rode up. and Brfstoe, explaining
the situation. set the men to making
preparations for pushing on to the
water-hole. Blankets we're 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
ly breathing. So. under the early glow
Of the desert stars. they came to the
wxter-hole. and halted.
| The wounded man opened his eyes
ard looked about him unable to com
prehend. At first all was dark. SILENT
then he saw the stars overhead. ana
breath of air famed the nearby nre