The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-02-06
CHAPTER xxxiv.

| The Hut Changes IT'S NAME.
That night Oswald was taken very
iii. For three days his life hung in
the balance, then youth and healthy
living triumphed over shock and be.
reayement, and he came slowly back
| to his sad and crippled existence.
He had been conscious for a week
or more Of his surroundings, and of
his bitter sorrows as we'll, when one
morning he asked Doris whose face
1t was he had seen bending over him
30 often during the last week: Have
! you a new doctor? A man with white
hair and a comforting smile? Or have
| ! dreamed this face? I have had so
many fancies this might easily be one
| Of them"
| mo, it is not fancy" was the
| quiet reply. Nor is 1t the face of
a DOCTOR 1t is that OF a friend. One
whose heart is bound up in your re-
covery; ore for whom you must live,
| Mr.. Brofherson."
81 don't know him, Doris. It's q
| strange face to me. And yet, it's not
altogether strange. Who is this man
and why should he care for me SO
deeply?"
Because you share one love and
one grief 1t is Editb's father whom
you see at your bedside. He has
helped to nurse you ever since you
came down this second time"
"Edith's father! Doris. 1t cannot
| be. Edith's fatherl"
YES, Mr.. Challcner has been in
Derby for the last two weeks He has
only one interest now: to see you
well again."
"Why!" =
Doris caught the note of pain, II not
suspicion, in this query, and smiled
as she asked in turn:
Shall he answer that question
himself? He is waiting to come in.
Not to talk. You need not fear his
talking. He's as quiet as any man
ever saw
The sick man closed his eyes. and
Doris watching, saw the flush rise to
his emaciated cheek, then slowly
/ fade away again to a pallor that
frightened her. Had she injured
| where she would heal? Had she
pressed too suddenly and too hard
On the ever gaping wound In her in
valid's breast? She gasped in terror
at the thought, then she family smiled,
for his eyes had opened again and
showed calm determination as he
f! said:
II should like to see him. / should
| like him to answer the question have
Just put you. / should rest easier
and get we'll faster-er not get we'll
| at ALL"
This latter he half whispered, an6
! Doris, tripping from the room may net
have heard it, for her face showed no
further shadow as she ushered in
Mr.. .Challoner, and closed the door
] behind him. She had looked forward
to this moment for days. To Oswald,
| however, it was an unexpected ex-
{ element and his voice tremhled with
something more than physical weak
ness as he greeted his visitor and
thanked him for his attentions.
Doris says that you have shown
me this kindness from the desire you
have to see me we'll again, Mr.. Chal-
loner Is this true?'
Very true. / cannot emphasize
the fact too strongly"
/, Oswald's eyes met his again, this
| time with great earnestness.
You must have serious reasons for
| feeling so-reasons which I DO not
quite understand. May ask why you
place such value upon life which,
i II ever useful to itself or others, has
lost and lost forever. the one delight
which gave it meaning?"
1t was for Mr.. Challoner's voice to
! tremble now, as reaching out his
hand, he declared, with unmistakable
feeling:
II have no son. have no interest
| In life, outside this room and the DOS
sibilities it contains for me. Your
! attachment to my daughter has Gre
pted a bond between us, Mr.. Brother
son, which sincerely hope to see
recognized by YOU"
Startled and deeply moved, the
young man stretched out shaking
hand towards his visitor, with the
feeble but exulting cry:
| Then you do not blame me for her
wrstched and mysterious death. You
hold ME guiltless OF the misery which
neIved her despairine arm?'
"Quite guiltless.''
Oswald's wan and pinched features
took on beautiful expression and
Mr.. Challoner no longer wondered
at his daughters choice.
Thank God!" fell from tbs sick
mans iipe, and then there was a 81
lence during which their two hands
met.
1t was some minutes before either
spoke and then it was Oswald who
| said:
Il must confide to you certain facts.
I honored your daughter and realized
her position fully. Our plight was
never made in words, nor should
/, have presumed to advance any claim
to her hand If ! had not made good