The pioneer express., 1912-08-16


posed herself when he knocked loud
upon her door.
May come int" he asked.
When she bade him enter she saw
he had In his hand a saucepan full Of
some steaming broth. She wondered
how he had made it in such a hurry.
but after he poured It into a granite
ware cup and offered It to her, she
took It without question. It was thick.
warming and nourishing. He stood by
her and insisted that she take more
and more. Finally she rebelled.
well. perhaps that will do for to-
night" he said; now let's have a look
at your foot"
She observed that he had laid on
tho table a long roll of white cloth;
she could not know that he had torn
up one Of his sheets to make ban
dages, but 80 It was. He took the lit
tie foot tenderly in his hands.
Il am going to hurt you," he said.
II am going to find out II there is
anything more than a bruise, any
bones broken"
There was no denying that he did
pain her exquisitely.
II can't help It," he said as she
cried aloud. II have got to see what's
the matter. I am almost through
now"
Go on. can bear It," she said
family. IT feel so much better, any
way. now that am dry and warm"
$50 far as I can determine" said
the man at last, 1T is only bad, ugly
bruise; the skin is torn, it has been
battered. but It is neither sprained
nor broken, and don't think 1t is 60
ing to be very serious. Now am 60
ing to bathe It In the hottest water
you can bear, and then l will bandage
It and let you go to Sleep"
He went out and came back with a
kettle of boiling water, with which he
laved again and again the poor, torn,
battered little member. Never in her
life had anything been so grateful as
these repeated applications Of hot va.
ter. After a while he applied a neal
ing lotion Of some kind, then he took
his long roll Of bandage and wound
It dexterously around her foot, not
drawing it too close to prevent circu-
lation. but just tight enough for sup
port, then as he finished she drew It
back beneath the cover.
Now" said he, ''there is nothing
more I can do for you tonight, is
there?"
Nothing"
II want you to go to sleep now, you
will be perfectly safe here. I am go
ing down the canon to search"
NO." said the girl apprehensively.
Il dare not be left alone here; be-
sides I know how dangerous 1t would
be for you to try to descend the canon
in this rain: you have risked enough
for me. you must wait until the morn
ing; shall feel better then"
"But think Of the anxiety Of your
friends"
II can't help It," was the nervous
reply. II am afraid to be left alone
here at night"
Her voice trembled; he was fearful
she would have a nervous breakdown.
'very WE'LL" he said soothingly, II
will not leave you till the morning"
where will you stay?"
It'll make shakedown for myself
in the store room," he answered, Il
shall be right within call at any time"
It had grown dark outside by this
time and the two in the log hut could
barely see each other.
II think shall light the fire." con-
tinued the man, ut will be sort Of
company for you and It gets cold up
here nights at this season. shouldn't
wonder II this rain turned into snow.
Besides. It win dry your clothes for
you"
Then he went over to the fireplace,
struck match. touched It to the
hndling under the huge logs already
prepared, and In moment q cheerful
blaze was roaring up through the
chimney. Then he picked up from the
door where she had cast them in
heap her bedraggled garments. He
Strengthened them out as best he
could. hung them over tho backs Of
chairs and the table. which he drew
az near to the dre as was safe. Hav-
ing completed this unwonted task he
turned to the woman who had watch
ed him curiously aud nervously the
while.
.Is there anything more that can
do for you r.
Nothing. You have been as kind
and % gentle @ you were strong and
brave 5.s3 si.5s
He throw. his hand ont with depre-
eating gesture.
! .Are you quits comic ortablsl"
''Yes. 7. s33 6S y.
= And your footi
Seems vsty, much better ;.i.
5 Good night thsn. viii call you
II the morninx 4 s
Good night said tic TIL grats-
fully, md 1od bless yon for Z true
alA nobl1 mn h s ssS
.c,.APrER
nshs ~ eldss Il sMlss III poor.
81 contsin!d sn.l " Y
I'M