The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-08-05


sufanee. She had not fainted. there
Vas 4 tiase y eolor n her cheek
that had rubbed ~ siinst his roniEh
Hunting coat: she was asleep. her reg.
Mar breathing Told him hat sleep
was OF course the very Ok med.
cines for her, and ssets she should mot
lIbe allowed 10 sleep until Bhe had GOT
| nd OF her wet clothing and until
something had been done for her
Wounded foot. It was indeed an en-.
barfasSing situation. h9sl ~
He surveyed her for a few moments
wondering how best to begin. Then
realizing the necessity for immediate
action, he bent over her and woke her
up Again she stared at him in be-
wilderment until he spoke.
eThis IS my house, he said, Eve
are home.s tstlSs ~
"Homelr sobbed the girl.
Under shelter. then. r said the man.
sYnu are very tired and very sleepy.
but there is something TO be done,
you must take on those wet clothes
at once, you must have something to
eat, and | must have a look at that
foot, and then you can have your
sleep out IN
The girl stared at him, his program.
II a radical one under the circun.
stances, was nevertheless a rational
one, indeed the only one. How was II
/ to be carried out? The man easily
OWNED her thoughts.
"There is another room in this
house. a store room. cook in there"
he said. II am going in there now to
get you something 10 eat; meanwhile
you must undress yourself and 60 to
bed.r M
He went to a rude set Of -box.like
shelves draped with a curtain, appar-
eatly his own handlwork, against the
wall, and brought from It long and
somewhat shapeless wooden gown.
"You can wear this to sleep IN" he
continued. First Of all, though. I am
going to have look at that foot" :
He bent down to where her wound
I'd foot lay extended on the bed.
lte'Wait,' said the girl, lifting herself
on her4 arm. and as she did SO he lift
ed IHs head and answered her direct
gaze with his own.l II am a woman,
absolutely alone, entirely at your
mercy; you are stronger than I, I
have no choice but to do what you
bid me. And in addition to the nat.
ural weakness Of my sex I am the
more helpless from this foot. What
do you intend to do with me? How
do you mean to treat me?"
1t was a bold, splendid question,
and It evoked the answer it merited.
"As God is my judge" said the man
quietly. lust as YOU ought TO be
treated, as l would want another to
treat my mother, or my sister, or my
wife"-she noticed how curionsly his
lips suddenly frightened at that word
"if had one. never harmed a wom-
an in my life," he continued more
earnestly, "only one, that Is" he cor
rected himself. and, once again she
marked that peculiar contraction OF
the lips. "And I could not help that"
he added. ,...r,E.g %5.G III.
II trust you" said the girl at last,
after gazing at him long and hard as
II to search out the secrets Of his very
soul. you have saved my; life and
things dearer will be safe with you.
] have. to trust YOU"
Il hope" came the quick comment,
that It Is not only for that. don't
want to be trusted upon compulslon."
= You must have fought terribly for
my life in the food" was the answer.
81 can remember what IT was now.
and you carried me over the rocks
and the mountains without faltering.
Only man could do what you have
done, trust you anyway"
THANK you" said the man briefly
as he bent over the injured foot again.
1.-THE boot laced up the front, the
short skirt left all plainly visible.
With def fingers he undid the sodden
knot and unlaced 1t, then stood hest.
tatingly for a moment.
Il don't likefto cut your only pair
Of Shoes" he said as he made
slight motion to draw It of, and then
observing the spasm OF pain, stopped.
Needs must" he continued, taking
out his knife and Sitting the
leather.
He did # very carefully so as not
to ruin the boot beyond repair, and
finally succeeded in getting It Oft
without giving her too much pain.
And she was not SO tired or so miser.
able as to be unaware of his gentle
ness. His manner, matter Of fact,
business like, II he had been doctor
one would have called It professional,
distinctly pleased her in this trying
and unusual position. Her stocking
was stained with blood. The man rose
to his feet. took from rude home.
made chair a light Mexican blanket
and laid 1t considerably across the
girl. ~ i.'.'
Now II you can manage to get of
your stocking yourself. will see what
can be DONE" he said, turning away. 1
It was the work Of a few seconds