Gilpin observer., 1913-12-18

bones. And II necessary she could
live In the glen always for possession
is nine points of the law and the only
way he would ever get this ground for
a pool would be to drown her.
So her aunt retreated to the house
and Mary held the fort. receiving her
friends and lawyers informally in the
tent.
An Injunction prevented Mr.. Willard
from taking further steps toward the
pool and things settled down to await
the law. Old Jenkins, the butler lived
in second tent and acted as messen-
ger, page and cavalier. having occa-
sion to shoe of stray COW at one
o'clock one morning.
Mr.. Willard appeared not-but every
day Mary saw the man" across the
creek" But on his own side" she
thought triumphantly. Then she add
ed contemptuously, Proxy! Why
doesn't he come himself and size up
the old termagant that's squatted on
the bottom of his bath tub"
One night Mary wakened suddenly.
Something was wrong. Men wera
shouting In confusion and above 1t all
was queer mufiied roar. Jenkins w's
run quick, Missy" but the road was
thunder in couple Of minutes. She
slipped into kimono. and reached for
her electric FASH but almost instantly
she was struggling in ice cold water
with the heavy sagging tent weighing
her down. That was the last she
knew.
She opened her eyes in beautiful
room bright with sunshine. Her head
ached when she tried to remember
what had happened SO she closed her
eyes again and prepared to go to
sleep. About thousand miles away
she heard watch snap shut and a
man say. Five o'clock A tough pull.
Mr. Willard, but she'll pick up now"
Mary didn't go to sleep. Instead she
opened her eyes again and turned her
head She wanted to see Mr.. Willard.
The voice sounded familiar Where
had she
man In white Aannels was stand
ing near the window. He turned and
came toward the bed. A distinct
shock ran through Mary. 1t was the
man who had cut her trees! He smil-
ed She closed her eyes and tried to
think. Then she heard the doctor say.
here II want to catch that train. The
nurse ought to be here now. but l
want to tell you two things before
go. Willard. you are the best nurse
that ever helped a doctor Miss Mary
would have died If I'd had her alone.
with her aunt in Mysteries when she
was most needed. Second-it's no kind
of house without a woman. Better
find the right one soon. Hello!
hear the nurse now. Well. I'll give
her few orders down in the hall as
go out. Goodby."
Mary opened her eyes wide. You
you are" she whispered.
George Willard" he said simply.
land this is Lauden Hall. But | will
tell you all about 1t. You are not al
lowed to talk-not single word" He
moved nearer to the bed.
Mary's rapidly clearing brain was
beginning to understand few things.
Something. perhaps his clothes. per-
haps the expression in his eyes made
him seem altogether another person
from the one she had known in the
woods. She turned away confused
He sat down by the bed and regard
ed her silently for few minutes.
Miss Mary, he said finally. very
softly. the nurse is here. She will be
in in a few minutes. but before she
comes | have a confession to make
and may not have another opportunity.
II you had died last night it would
have been my fault. The reservoir at
Browntown broke about two o'clock.
They warned the whole country by
phone. We got to the creek just in
time to see your tent go down. We
got Jenkins out first but we couldn't
find you. II was-it was" He
stopped.
Mary looked at him. wondering. She
gave short gasp at what she saw.
His face was pale and drawn. In his
eyes was a look OF wretchedness and
misery
"Oh, don't please" she began
He put out his hand to stop her.
You will never know how nearly dead
you have been. We thought you
were. and brought you here"
He walked to the window and back
again. Mary. ! love you." he burst out
suddenly "and because love you
let you risk your life down in that
hole. thought II was romance-to
have my lady love near me. where
could go and look at her when want
ed. A love sick fool will do anything.
saw chance for thrill-something
unusual. you know. after you took me
for servant; and loving you even
while you were scolding me. let you
20 on to-this." He touched her cold
little hand gently and rose to go.
"Goodby, Mary. I won't see you