The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-09-24
A Sensitive
Lover
b. SARAH BAXTER

knit brow It is evident there Is some
thing on his mind. And there was
something on Barnard's mind-a good
deal. in fact. He was a worshiper of
Miss Brayton, and Miss Brayton was
very Ill. Barnard had heard that the
doctors were DESTROYS Of making the
experiment of a TRANSMISSION Of blood,
but had not thus far found any hearty
person who was willing to give up his
or her blood for the purpose.
Barnard had offered himself to Miss
Brayton. and she had refused him.
He was now ready to give her his
blood or his life, ii necessary, but
would not this be placing her under an
obligation which might aus her to re-
consider her refusal? 1t seemed to him
like taking an unfair advantage of her;
that it would be an %obtrusiOn. an un-
gracious act, rendering him liable to a
charge of trying to win her by unfair
means. Besides, Barnard had always
said that unless the girl he wanted
wanted him. and that very badly. he
didn't want her.
How would it do for him to give her
his blood without her knowing from
whom the gift came? Barnard stop
ped short in his walk and tugged at
his mustachc. Then he took up his
hat. crammed it down on his head
and hurried away to Miss B%rayton's
physician.
ftn 49,, srkcpOy, r. Nrnc cntf1nI
that the invalid should receive Bar
nard's blood without knowing It. This
could be done by performing the OPP
GRAFTON in Il room dimly lighted, with
Barnard's face covered. No one but the
doctor and the couple operated on need
be present. and the identity Of the
blood given need not be divu]ged.
The operation was performed, and
Miss Brayton regaincd her health and
strength. Barnard had the satisfac-
ton of having saved her life, but saw
no more evidence of a predisposition
for him than before. Indeed, it was
not long after the operation that he
heard she was engaged to a man
whom he had feared us a rival. This
threw Barnard into dependency.
One evening at a young persons
gathering. ut which Barnard, Miss
Brayton and her iance. Mortlake, We're
present, Barnard heard a young lady
near him say that there was a very
pretty romance between Miss Brayton
and Mr.. Mortlake. Barnard pricked
up his ears. but failed to learn what
the romance was. But a week later
he met a friend who asked him why
he had not got in ahead of Mortlake
when Miss Brayton was Ill and offer
her his blood. Thus it came out that
Mortlake had saved his iancee's life.
This vas q romance with a venge-
ance. Mortlake had undoubtedly won
the girl by claiming to have saved her
life ut the risk of his own.
That evening Barnard was walking
the floor in a more %disgruntled state
Of mind than before. His rival had
beaten him by a lie, and he was not
in a position to set the matter right.
True, he had only to refer the matter
to the surgeon who performed the op-
Grafton, but this would be interfering
between n girl and her lover-a dog in
the manager business that was far be-
meath a man of Barnard's sensitive
honor. On the other hand. what right
had he to permit the girl he loved to
marry a man who had lied to get her?
Barnard. being in a quandary, remain
ed in a quandary. These sensitive fell
lows who keep themselves in the back
ground are usually overlooked by girls
who. did they know the facts, would
most assuredly prefer them. Barnard
was too refined in feeling to save Ell
Their himself or the girl he loved.
But one morning Miss Brayton. be-
ing in%disposed, sent for her physician.
During his visit she told him that
there vas a certain secret which she
knew he was pledged to keep. but she
knew it all the same. Then she an
nounced to him her engagement.
II congratulate him." said the doc
tor. HE took considerable risk for
you and deserves you"
How he must have loved mel"
/ ldIlcIeu he WIS uOlIlS IL lOE lOV0.
1T would have been ungracious for
me to refuse him after the sacrifice
lie made for me-"
you have got a fine fellow. l took
a fancy to Barnard the moment l laid
eyes on him."
"Barnard!!'
Yes. Barnard. You're engaged to
Barnard. aren't your"
Miss B~rayton's eyes grew as big as
butter plates.
WAS 1t Mr.. Barnard who saved me?'
"Why-yes-1 thought you knew"
The cat was out Of the bag.
Soon after this revelation Mortlake
received a note from his fiancee stating
that she must break her engagement
with him. since she had discovered
that she could not love him.
Barnard heard that the girl he loved
was free. but since she had pledged
the doctor to keep mum he had no idea
of the cause of the breaking Of bel
engagement. One day he received 9
note asking him to call. He did so
and Miss Brayton frankly told him thai
In rofuainr him shp had mistaken hel