The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-03-02
A Sensitive
Lover
BY SARAH BAXTER

When a man walks the floor with a
knit brow it is evident there is some
ching on his mind. And there was
something on Barnards mind-a good
deal, in fact He was 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, if necessary, but
would not this be placing her under an
obligation which might cause 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 mustache Then he. took up his
hat, crammed it down on his head
and hurried away to Miss Brayton's
physician.
After an interview it was settled
that the invalid should receive Bar
nards blood without knowing it. This
could be done by performing the op-
GRAFTON in 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 divulged.
The operation was performed, and
Miss Brayton regained 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 as a rival. This
threw Barnard into dependency.
One evening at young persons
| gathering, at which Barnard, Miss
Brayton and her fiance, Mortlake, were
present, Barnard heard young lady
near him say that there was 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
ne 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 fiancee's life.
| This was a romance with venge
ance. Mortlake had undoubtedly won
the girl by claiming to have saved her
| life at 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 a 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 herr
/ por n 1oi, iyls doY, oiY
ed in 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
her himself or the girl he loved.
| But one morning Miss Brayton, be-
ing indisposed, sent for her physician
During his visit she told him that
| there was q 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 mer'
II fancied he was doing it for love-"
1T would have been ungracious for
me to refuse him after the sacrifice
he made for me-"
"You have got fine fellow. l took
| a fancy to Barnard the moment l laid
| eyes on him."
"Parnardr'
Eyes, Barnard. You're engaged to
| Barnard, aren't your"
Miss Brayton's eyes grew as big as
butter plates.
"Was it Mr. Barnard who saved meT
"Why-yes-I thought you knew"
The cat was out of the bag.
Soon after this revelation Mortlake
received 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 her
engagement. One day he received
note asking him to call. He did so.
and Miss Brayton frankly told him that
in refusing him she had mistaken her
feelings. Barnard was not slow in CIV
ing her an opportunity to correct the
mistake. They were married, and 1t
was not till the day after the wedding
\ Ia. !.