The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-01-23
CHAPTER VII.
4 Disciple Of Sir Walter

arch expression OF her face changed;
there came a sudden rush of pity, Of
anxiety into those clear, challenging
eyes, and with one quick step she
drew nearer and bent above me.
"Oh. Captain Wayne" she cried,
her warm. womanly heart conquering
oil prejudice, you are badly hurt and
bleeding. Why did you not tell me,
Please let me aid you
IL fear / must" l replied grimly.
Il would gladly spare you. for indeed
l do not believe my injury sufficient
~ serious TO cause alarm. but find
l have only one arm can use at
present; the brute got his teeth into
the other"
oh, believe me, l can do It," She
spoke bravely. a sturdy ring of con-
fidcnce in the voice, although at the
thought her face paled. 81 have been
in the hospitals at Baltimore, and
taken care OF wounded soldiers. II
there was Only some water here!"
She glanced about, dreading the pos
sibility Of having to go forth into
the night alone in search OF a spring
or well.
II think you will find a pail on the
bench yonder" said, for from where
leaned against the wall could see
out into the shed. 1T was doubtless
left for the dog to drinh from
She came back with 1t. tearing down
cloth from off peg in the wall as
she passed, and then, wearing a reso-
lutte air of authority, knelt beside me,
and with rapid fingers, flung back my
jacket. christening the rough armt
shirt and laid bare. so far as was
possible, the lacerated shoulder.
Forgive me-" she said anxiously,
but fear | can never dress It In
this way. We must remove your
Jacket and cut away the sleeve OF your
shirt"
At last the disagreeable task was
accomplished, the wounded shoulder
completely barred. Her face was
deathly white now, and she shielded
her eyes with her hand
ooh. what horrible wound!" she
exclaimed. almost sobbing. How that
great brute must have hurt you!"
"The wound is not so serious as II
appears" l replied reassurtngly, and
glad myself TO feel that I spoke the
truth. but I confess the pain is in.
tense. and makes me feel somewhat
faint 1t was not so much the mere
bite OF the dog, but unfortunately he
got his teeth into an old wound and
tore 1t open"
"An old wound?"
/ Yes; l received a MIME ball there
at Gettysburg. and although the bullet
was extracted, the wound never prop
{ erly healed"
She performed her disagreeable
task with all the tenderness OF a
sympathetic woman. and as she
/ worked swiftly and deftly, made no
attempt to conceal the tears clinging
/ TO her long lashes. Skilfully the
deep, jagged cash was bathed out.
and then as carefully bound up with
: the softest cloths she could find at
hand. The relief was great, and felt,
as moved the shoulder, that saving
; the soreness II would probably noa
greatly bother me.
Now you must lie back and rest"
she said commandingly. as attempted
to thank her.
"As your nurse I command abso-
Lutte quiet" striving to speak gaily.
See. the daylight is already here,
and I mean to discover II this lone
cabin contains anything which human
beings can eat; confess that / am
nearly famished"
"a most excellent symptom, and I
imagine your quest will not be wholly
win tn nv
sembIes slab OF bacon hanging be-
tide the chimney"
1T indeed Is" she exclaimed. "and
/ feel as shlpwrecked seaman must
on first beholding land"
However my naturally energetic
spirit revolted at inactivity, for the
time being my faintness precluded any
thought Of doing other than obeylng
her orders. and / lay there silent,
propped up against the logs, my eager
eyes following her rapid, graceful
movements with a constantly increas-
ing interest AS she worked the re-
Election Of the red flames became
mingled with the gray dawn. until the
bare and cherries interior grew more.
and more visible Her search was far
from unsuccessful. while her resource
fulRess astonished me. old campaigner
as ] was for II was scarcely more
than full daylight before she had me
at the table, and I was doing full
Justice TO such coarse food az tho
larder furnished
The eating helped me greatly; bus
for some time so busy were we that
neither Of us spoke On my own part
] experienced a strange hesitancy in
addressing her upon terms OF equality
Ordinarily not easily embarrassed in
feminine society. felt IN this instance
definite barrier between US. which
prevented my feeling at ease. Nov
and then az we sat opposite each
othor, eating amid silence most un.
pleasant, would catch her eyes
glancing across at me. but they were
lowered instantly whenever I ventured
to meet them Finally ! broke the
stiffness with a commonplace remark:
II presume your people will be
greatly worried by this time over your
mysterious disappearance
A flush swept her throat and
cheeks but she did not lift her eyss
from the plate. Yes" she answered
slowly, Frank Is doubtless searching
for me long before this"
81