The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-15

She had not wrftten-the hand that had traced her signature had been un- strung for once. She understood though such knowledge seemed of lit tie moment now.
 She kept the pads cold and wet. She went for fresh water and stumbled and fell more than once because of the treacherous footing in the deepening shadows. But she was no longer afraid of the dark. She had grown to fear Big Louie .ess, even though there was no help for Big Louie any more. It was the frss time that Barbara had looked upon the face of a man who had died in violence Big Louie's face was growing indistinct now, but she knew that he was smiling-knew that his eyes were dreamy and mild. Death, like life, had been a quite incompre- hensible puzzle to that slow witted one who had no name. But he had smiled seldom fin life. h death his smile was almost childish, almost sweet ana questioning beyond all else
 Alone with him who still lived, the pallid girl sat and waited and wonder ed how long sr how soon-it would De. When she bade him wait until sne could bring the team he nodded ms comprehension. He was watching TOT her return. And he came to his feet with readiness that made Der heart leap with hope. But he fell twice be- fore she lifted him, half wsth her hands, half with her voice, to the seat.
 She crawled in beside him, and the next moment she had to struggle mad ly- to prevent his returning to Bis Louie
 "He will wait quiet until we come for him." she protested 'There isn't room for Big Louie-and he won't mindr
 Her logic made an impression upon him, for he smiled. There vas no SC quence in his acquiescence, However.
 Big Louie never could find bis way alone, !" he unused, land that is strange too, for he was born in these hills. Hs was always getting lost And witi that he must not desert Louie! Shs had even more trouble with him this time. He will lose his head" he ex postulated mildly-his old, unfniling at ] titude of gentleness toward her Ht will lose his head and waste hi: strength in running from things whicf do not exist"
 5A Big Louie will find his way thf! time' She was whimpering again il her helplessness. "He is-alread, home"
 ' There she learned that her voic' could control him when her arms avail ed not at all against even his deat weight. And so she talked as steadil! as she was able while she drove Onc' he lurched against her. When he pull ed himself together he was so sanel, apologetic of sudden that she search ed his face with hungry eyes. But h p was talking now to himself.
 .I must not touch her." he statet firmly. And then, drcarily: T am sick ! I have never been so sick-before."
 With that he subsided, but his silenc was far more dreadful than his wan derings had been, and as fast as sh dared she pushed the heavy team or with Ragtime following behind like dog He slipped back against her al most immediately, and this time h had not the strength with which t apologize nor lift himself erect Wit his head heavy in the hollow of he arm, they came at length to the ope pasture hills. They topped the ris and faced the loops on loops of high way that ran down to Morrison at tn river edge. And so she brought hir home. At the sight of his "city" sh sobbed aloud, but he, sunken and slacl