The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-01-08

sion to shoe on stray COW at one
o'clock one morning.
Mr.. Willard appeared not--but every
day Mary saw the man" across the
creek" But Oh his own side" she
thought triumphantly. Then she add
ed contemptuously, Proxy! Why
doesn't ha come himself and size up
the old termagant that's squatted on
the bottom of his bath tub"
One night Mary Weakened suddenly.
Something was wrong. Men were
shouting in confusion and above 1t all
was a queer muffled roar. Jenkins WIS
calling her frantically to get up-to
run quick, missy" but the road was
thunder in couple Of minutes. She
slipped into kimono, and reached for
her electric flash, 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
eyes again and prepared to 60 to
sleep. About thousand miles away
she heard a watch snap shut and
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
A man in white fiannels 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,
We'll, Willard, I've got to get out OF
here If | want to catch that train. The
nurse ought to be here now. but
want to tell you two things before !
go. Willard you are the best nurse
that ever helped 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 a house without woman. Better
find the right one soon, Hello! j.
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 a 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 few minutes, but before she
comes | have a confession to make
and may not have another opportunity,
II you had died last night 1t 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 60 down We
got Jenkins outs first but we couldn't
find you. 1t vast 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 bach
again. Mary, love YOU" he burst out
suddenly, and because | love you J.
let you risk your life down in that
hole. thought it was romance-tc
have my lady love near me, where
could go and look at her when | want
ed. A love sick fool will do anything
didn't care about losing the place.
saw chance for thrill-something
unusual. you know, after you took me
for a servant; and loving you even
while you were scolding me, l let you
60 on to-thfs." He touched her cold
little hand gently and rose to go.
"Goodby, Mary. l won't see you
again and | don't ask forgiveness. It's
high time | was going anyhow. I've
made fine mess OF things Stay here
please as long as you like, the whole
house is at your disposal until you
wish to go home. Goodby."
The nurse came in. Call Mr.. Willard
back, please" cried Mary, sitting up In
bed. Then as he appeared in the door
way, she said demurely, for the benefit
OF the nurse, George I've changed my
mind. I'll be quite well by tomorrow
and Of course you can drive me homo
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)