Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-12-14
The DESTROYING ANGEL

In a tone more of hope than of assur-
ance. He felt teoderly of the injured
member. "Only my anke-twisted II
Il few days ago, and now again. It'll
be all right In a moment or two"
Her gaze Travelled from him to the
edge Of the bluff.
81 didn't see--I mean, heard some
thing, and turned and saw you trying
to sit up and the other man rising"
"Sorry we startled you" Whitaker
mumbled, wondering how the deuce he
was going to get home. His examina-
ton of the ankle hadn't proved greatly
encouraging.
But I-ah-how did 1t happen?"
"A mere misunderstanding" he said
lightly. 81 mistook the gentleman for
someone | knew. He resented it, so
we started to scrap like a couple of
schoolboys. Then ] wish to
heaven it had been his leg instead OF
miner
"But stiIl hardly understand =. :"
"Well, you see, I-ah-Pm visiting
Em5er-t the cottage next to yours,
believe. That is, If I'm not mistaken,
you have the Fiske place"
She nodded.
"And so, this morning, il struck me
as fine young idea to swim over here
and have look at the beach. And
then found that chap watching you"
That startled her. How do you
mean-watching me?'
"Why--ah--that's what he seemed
TO be doing"
She shook her head. you must be
mistaken"
'Daresay. l generally am when I
jump at conclusions. Anyway, he didn't
like it much when l called him out of
his name. / gathered, in fact, that he
was considerably put out. Silly, wasn't
itT'
Rather" she agreed gravely.
For a moment or two they eyed one
another In silence, Whitaker wonder
| ing just how much of a fool she was
thinking him and obviously consider
ing various expedients to ingratiate
| himself.
| II don't seem to think of anything
useful to say" he yentured. Can you
help me out7 Unless you'd be inter-
ested to know my names Whitaker
Hugh Whitaker"
She acknowledged the information
merely by brief nod. ut seems to
me-" she said seriously, "that the
pressing question is, what are you go
Ing to 90 about that ankle? Shall
you be able - walk?"
lizard to say" he grumbled, a trifle
dashed. With infinite pains and the
aid Of both hands and his sound foot,
he lifted himself and contIived to
stand erect for an instant, then bore
little weight on the hurt ankle--and
blanched, paling visibly beneath his In
eradicable tan.
II don't suppose" he said with eff
fort-"they grow-crutches-on this
neck of land2"
| And he was about to collapse again
upon the sands when, without warning,
he found the woman had moved to his
side and caught his hand, almost
brusquely passing his arm across her
shoulders, SO that she received no little
of his weight.
"Oh, / say he protested feebly.
Don't say anything" she replied
shortly. I'm very strong-quite able
to help you to the boat. Please don't
consider me at all just see If we can't
manage this way"
He endeavored to withdraw his arm,
an effort rendered futile by her cool.
firm grasp on his fingers.
"Pleasew she said-not altogether
patiently.
He eyed her askance. There was in
this incredible situation a certain pi-
quancy, definitely provocative. tran
scending the claims his injury made
upon his interest. Last night for the
first time he had seen this woman,
and from a distance had thought her
desirable; now, within twelve hours.
he found himself with an arm round
her neck
And then suddenly she turned her
head and intercepted his whole-hearted
stare. For a thought wonder glim-
mered In the violet eyes; then they
flashed disconcertingly; finally they
became utterly cold and disdainful.
"Well" she demanded Ia a frigid
voice.
lie looked away In complete confu-
sion, and felt his face burning to the
temples.
II beg your pardon" he mumbled un-
happily.
He esSayed TO walk. Twenty feet
and more of treacherous, dry, yielding
sand separated them from the flight of
steps that assembled the blum. II
proved no easy journey.
The stairway accomplished, he
llmped TO wooden seat and sat down
with much grim decision in his man
ner. But he mustered a smile to meet
her look Of concern. and shook his
head