The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-11-29
WHAT The "WHHY" WAS
BY R. 3. SHELTON.

.
iand on his arm.
You're not satisfied with the way
les coming on. are your" he said
boldly, with a backward nod of his
read towards the rough little shack
m the hillside.
The surgeon looked at him narrow
y. mo, I'm not. he said simply.
McPhee scowled "Whatll we dor
The surgeon shrugged his shoul-
lers Then he got into the car.
'I'll be over again this afternoon" T"
ie said
he nodded to his chauffeur The
ar went spinning towards Renford In
great cloud of dust.
Across the hills came the whirr Of
pneumatic drills and the squeal Of
ranes and the putting OF donkey en-
zines. McPhee knew he should be
,ver at the tunnel Every minute of
lis time was precious, but instead Of
going over to the works. he trailed up
he hills TO the little cluster OF COM
ortable looking camps. On the porch
" one sat a sallow young man
wrapped in blankets Beside him was
he orderly the surgeon had brought
,ut from the hospital
"Oh you Billy Craill" called Nc
Phee. trudglng up the rough path.
You're looking a pile better this
morning. I'm coming to call"
tits pity ever got out alive"
ie grunted.
''You don't mean you're a quitter?"
said MePhee with lifted brows.
mot generally said Billy. Just
aow-well maybe ] am"
"Whyy" said McPhee.
Billy was silent
"He never asks how things are get
ing on" thought McPhee He
doesn't care about anything This
sn't like him. There's a why to it
'omewhere. l wonder what the why
ls.
Aloud he said. as a car puffed up TO
he foot OF the hill; Hello, here's
he doctor back. Or, no II isn't either.
Hes IN a limousine. Who's getting
)ut? BY George. womanl"
Someone was running up the hill,
girl. young, 1.-THE, eager Her long
veil streamed out behind her; she
was stripping of her gloves as she
.amt
There was n cry from Billy Grail,
queer. childish, broken cry He half
rose from his chair, the chair he had
not left without help for weeks and
weeks.
The girl gained the porch. She
seemed not to see either McPhee or
he orderly there. Her eyes were for
the stricken man.
"Billyl" she cried. "Oh, Billy,
Binyl"
Then she sank down her head on his
knees.
i've come, ran away. We just
got back on the Polinia. didnt
know about the accident until then.
And ! didn't know what-what we
meant to each other until heard you
might die. Oh, Billyl"
Billy Crail's voice came. very un-
steadily. WAS he with you?"
The marquis? Yes l ran away
from him, toe"
1t said in a paper--a paper / saw |
last week that you we're to be married |
today"
q am"
''You are?"
Surely To you, Billy"
"You are going straight back
there" said Billy Grail family, but
with an evident attempt at frmness.
"Of course I am. And you're go
Ing with me Wen go straight back
to get their forgiveness.
McPhee suddenly came to his
senses. He tiptoed backward. off the
porch and down the hill. But h. had
aot gone a hundred yards when Billy
1rail's voice hailed him. He looked
back There-mirgcle 81 miracles
was Billy Grail standing erect on the
norch edge He was making a
trumpet Of his hands
oh McPheei" he yelled. Bring
ny duds over from your camp Ny
iecent things are all in the trunk
here. Bring them a-running. will
'ou?"
At five the limousine of the eminent
surgeon stopped at the foot Of the
I'LL McPhee met him. McPhee was
ii agrin. The eminent surgeon
liked that McPhee had not grinned
hat way since the accident to Billy
rail.
"How's the patient?" said the sur
'eon. Better, l take it from your
ooks"
He turned and looked at the porch.
t was quite empty.
Good Lord. McPhee, where's the
,atient?" he gasped.
McPhee took him by the arm.
Get in" he said, pointing to the
limousine.
Mystifed the surgeon entered. nc.
'hee followed He leaned forward to
Whisper grinningly to the chauffeur
efore he closed the door.
They sped away. across the bare
ills, away from the noise Of the tun-
el work. to the first little village just
eyond They stopped at a little ivy