The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-10-12

she said. "And I think it's wicked, =
she added, with flushed cheeks.
Tom went very white but he looked
at Nora steadfastly. did she tell you
to give me that message?" he asked.
Nora nodded mutely. Tom stroked
her hand. Gall right, my dear. I can
bear that too" he said.
"But I can't!" said Nora in despera-
ton. 'Tom, do you know why?"
Il suppose she doesn't want to be
linked up with broken cripple" said
Tom. swell, don't blame her, Nora"
It's because she won't have anyone
TO ride with" said Nora. 81 mean,
unless she rides with other men,
That's right" said Tom. "Tell
Mabel l release her. And, Nora, you'll
come and sit with me sometimes, won't
you?"
Indeed 1 WILL" said Nora. II think
you are as brave as the bravest man
on EARTH"
Tom smiled, but afterward his face
grew very wistful. 1t was a black fu-
ture, that of a crippled man in a
wheeled chair. Never again would he
any of the delights of life be his.
And he missed Mabel. He longed
for her, and, though he could not
blame her for her decision, he felt
somehow as if the fineness of her had
vanished. II she had given him the
chance to say the first word!
Yet, as the days went by, and Nora
kept her promise, Tom began to find
himself looking forward to the girls
advent. Nora and he had always been
the best Of friends, but now there
seemed the possibility of some deeper
feeling. There was that in the girl
which he had always thought to find
in Mabel and never found; something
spiritual, some quality shyly hid from
the world which now began to blossom
for him.
One day Nora came dancing into
his room.
"Tom," she said, CDR. Tremayne
thinks he can cure you"
''Who's DR.. Tremayne" asked Tom.
"Why, the famous surgeon. You've
heard of him."
"How have you heard Of him p
asked Tom.
"Why, Tom, II went to see him to
ask about you. And he's coming to
Sudbury tomorrow week, and wants
to make an examination"
Tom was deeply touched. He had
nc heart to tell the girl that his case
had been pronounced hopeless by the
best specialists in the land. He con-
sented to see Tremayne.
81 can cure you," said the surgeon,
after an hours examination. "You
will have to lie in plaster for six
weeks, but that's better than sitting
in chair for sixty years."
"When can you do it?" asked Tom.
Tomorrow" said Tremayne prompt
ly.
Tom had himself taken to the city
without telling Nora. But when he
awole from the chloroform it was to
find Nora seated at his,side. And the
oiIt hCfCA lClI Hill NY Gdy uuLlI IuC
cast was taken off, and Tom found,
to his delight, that he could wriggle
his toes again.
Nora had come up every morning
from Sudbury, returning at night. No
body knew; they thought she had OBJ
tanned position in town. Mabel
knew least Of all.
MORA" said Tom, "when I am well
you are going to take me home"
1t was almost a scandal in Sudbury
when Nora and Tom came home to-
gether. The news of Toms recovery
had spread and nearly all the town
was at the station. And Tom came
up the platform, walking!
Mabel, flushed from her ride, was
there to meet him. Her horse was
tethered to hitching post. She looked
beautiful in her riding habit, and con-
scious Of it. And here was Tom, walk
ing at Morals side!
"Why, Nora, you said you were 60
ing to Brentwood for your vacation I"
she cried. "How on earth did you
meet Tom?"
"We've both been there" said Tom.
"We went there for our honeymoon,
Mabel"