Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-02-05

his obstinacy and Jealousy had pre-.
vented him from communicating with
her in any manner as long as his rival
remained beneath her roof. He had
not expected hal she would really
need him In the physical sense. OF
course, yet one may need another in
many different ways, and it piqued
him that she, knowing how eager he
would be to come, had not made some
excuse for needing him that he might
go and see her, or at least talk with
her over the phone. Perhaps she had
been in love with Tolliver all along.
He had half suspected at times that
she was, and now that she was help
ing to nurse him. was seeing him
many times daily, was reading to him
and being read to by him and having
long and confidential talks with him
under propitious circumstances, it
would not be at all startling II the
tender passion bud were swiftly bloom.
ing into full flower. Confound TOLL
YER, anyway. Was he going to stay
there forever? Why didn't he send
for his trunk and be done with 1t? He
ought to be ashamed Of himself for his
~insolent abuse of common hospitality.
Head down and frowning, he ran
abruptly into a man at a corner and
with a muttered apology looked up.
Clay, a half smile on his handsomish
face, was regarding him with small
attempt to conceal his amusement.
This is a poor time for n to so
about with his head down in that
fashion when everybody else has got
a crick in his neck from looking up.
You had best take care. The Flying
Man will get you II you don't watch
out" he said in his even and rather
musical voice. Quickly Allen swept
him with his eyes. He had W ap.
peared in better health, stronger or
better satisfied with things in general.
March thrust out his hand and Clay
taking 1t with a mechanical motion
released 1t instantly.
"Glad to see you out again." ex.
| claimed the former fervently. Once
| again an amused smile fitted about
the others lips.
Thanks" he returned drily.
you are looking very well indeed
Tolliver bowed.
ut would be strange II l did not
after the nursing and treatment l re.
ceived. Take my word for 1t, man. II
you ever become injured prevail upon
Miss Fulton to look after you. If she
will do SO you will not have suffered
In vain" The faint look of displeas.
ure that ran across March's face did
not escape the convalescent ones eyes.
and again he baited him out of pure
enjoyment.
Nothing will put a sick man on his
feet so quickly as to have an inter.
ested and interesting woman minister.
ing to him. Do you know I almost
regretted that / was not laid up
longer? But as 1t was I got out ever
before they wanted me to. Didn't
want even to appear to be taking ad.
vantage of their kindness, you see."
Although the speakers manner was
open enough, there was nevertheless
a subtle righteousness In his tones
that March instantly detected and in
wardly resented. Let's see-ten
days." he returned refectively. THAT
is a pretty long while to be laid up
with a cracked rib, isn't it?" Tolliver
agreed with him at once.
Il should imagine SO. But you see l
have been away from there for the last
four days-was there less than a week.
What? Is It possible that you did not
known" He opened his eyes in a look
of mock surprise at the others evil
dent lack Of information. March felt
like a fool.
mo, l knew nothing about It," he
was forced to admit. II have been
very busy with my own affairs. But
I must be on my way. See you again.
Tolliver."
Indeed you will, March," was the
slow retort. With a farewell nod each
went his separate way.
So Clay had been gone from the Full.
ton home for several days and he had
not known 1t! He became angrier
than ever. True. he had told Doris
that he would leave the field to her
and Clay as long as the latter re.
mained in their house as her patient,
but how In the name of common sense
was he to know when the patient left
unless he received word? II Doris
and himself had been short time &C
quaintances things would have been
different and he would not have e
pected her to let him know, but as 1t
was they had known each other for
years, had been the best Of friends
during all that time and In a way con-
fidants long before he had begun to
make love to her. Therefore. elimi.
mating the love element, she might at
least have let him know as a friend