The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-04-30


planned before. A lump came into his
throat, and he brushed his brown hand
across his wet eyes. Then his young
face sank into those stern, broodins
lines that had replaced the old care
less expression.
Joe Tribble, as he called himself, rode
on. A few yards farther on his horse
stumbled and fell so suddenly that Joe
was pitched over his head, to fall in a
crushed heap among some rocks. He
lay very still, while the horse scram-
bled to his feet, shifted at his masters
unconscious form and then limped away
for assistance. whinnying pitifully
Joe opened his eyes upon darkness.
There was bandage over his eyes. and
he could see nothing, but he knew thai
he rested upon soft bed. A large COO
hand touched his wrist, and finger
pressed upon his pulse.
Doctor" Joe huskily whispered.
"Aha!'' said a mellow voice. Com
ing around, are you? Feel pretty well
banged to pieces?'
Pretty sore" admitted Joe. whats
the matter with my eyes?"
You fell on lot of broken rocks
and got some splinters in your eyes.
You can't come into the light until
they've healed up bit. Nothing to
worry about; mere scratches. You have
got a broken ankle. though"
where am ~ was Joe's next ques
ton.
''At ranch close by.. the spot where
your horse threw you. Pretty intelli-
gent beast. that horse, Came limping
down here to the ranch and almost told
Mr.. Smith what had happened. You
can bet he's well taken care of toor'
"Poor old Starbrowr' murmured Joe
Then, turning to the doctor, he asked
in a low voice. Where can l stay
here?"
ooh, yes! You can't be moved until
your ankle is BETTER said the doctor
decisively
The doctor left the room, and Joe
heard him talking to some one in an
other room. There were other voices
that seemed to vibrate strangely on
his hearing What memories of the
past they revived. Whose voices did
they resemble?
He tormented himself with these
questions until he fell asleep from
sheer exhaustion. He was awakened
after refreshing sleep by the sound
Of a pump handle creaking outside.
Shortly afterward a heavy, deliberate
football entered his room, and he was
conscious that some one was bending
over him.
well. stranger" said a deep. reso
nent voice. 81 reckon you're awake
now?"
who are your" was Joe's hurried
question.
There was a little pause before the
answer came my names Smith
Why?"
Nothing. only l thought it sounded
-like-somebody | used to know,
murmured Joe. sinking back upon his
pillow.
II wonder if you wouldn't like me tC
help you outer those clothes you got OF
and get you into bed in decent way 2
went on the voice. and when Joe CRATE
fully assented the owner of the voice
helped him with woman's tenderness
to undress and clothed him in clear
underwear and clean coarse night
shirt.
I'm nightly obliged to you. stran
GER" murmured Joe drowsily as ht
sank on his pillow after swallowing 6
cup of hot broth
You're welcome" said the other
solemnly. and. tiptoeing out, he CLOSED
the door.
Joe did not awake again until tbs
next morning. He knew that the win
dows were wide open. for he breathet
the fresh. sweet air. and he could heal
the song of birds. His eyelids fell
very stiff and sore, and he was CRATE
| full for the bandage that covered them
Mr.. Smith came in presently and
after a pleasant greeting to the in
jured man, bathed his face and hands
and brought some breakfast to him.
Joe bit into a hot corn muffin, anC
! his hand fell upon the Counterpart
he turned his blindfolded eyes toward