The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-05-23
ACROSS THE WAY
BY SUSAN E. CLAGETT.

II ~
I------.--.- G
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The cottage sat somewhat back from
the road and across from a big, old
fashioned house, the very LONELINESS
of which suggested comfort. The girl
leaning on the gate leading to the cot
tage looked from the one to the other
and nodded her head with satisfac-
ton.
at will do, if I can only make the
others see it." she thought Even IL
the roof leaks there must be one or
two of the rooms that are habitable
and the place will be a riot of beauty
when the June roses are in bloom.
However, / see its possibilities be-
cause 1 so desire it. The place is real
ly forlorn."
"Stick to the possibilities" pleas
ant voice said behind her. "When the
weeds are cut and few nails are
driven into missing palings you will
not know it,
| The girl turned with start, her
eyes cold She had not realized she
| had spoken aloud.
"It does look uncared for" the man
continued, critically examining the cot
tage and its surroundings, "but l know
its possibilities. If you wish, I will
have it put in order at once"
"Are you the owner?"
az was born here. Strange how one
| lets the years pass without coming
| back. / have always meant to come,
but never did. 1 think" he said re-
flectively, chat I have been waiting
at her for the first time. "You are a
stranger to the place"
She nodded toward the big house
across the way. Il am visiting friends,
but / would like to remain all summer
If the cottage is practicable"
SIT will be ready when you are
ready" he declared.
At the dinner table that night she
| told of what she had done. Margaret
Alden listened with troubled face.
"HOw could you, Nan?" she said at
last "You know how we want you
| with u.s."
| II know" Nan answered soberly,
"but 1 must lead my own life, Mar
garet. Over there will be home, across
the way will be you, my dearest
friends, to call upon when"
did he say what brought him."
| Tom Alden interrupted
'Who?"
"The dOctor-yOur prospective land
lord" Then he chuckled. 81 saw him
In Washington ten days ago, but he
said nothing about coming out. I won
| der-yes, / did tell him you were stay
ing with us. He seemed interested"
"Why, I never before saw the man."
She had been in her home month
when the accident occurred that ma
| terially altered her outlook upon life.
Up to that time she had been absorbed
in her work as an illustrator and had
succeeded beyond her utmost expecta-
tions Then the seemingly impossible
| happened. She fell and broke her
| right arm and wrist-slipped upon the
tOpmOst step of the little stairway and
fell to the bottom. Her nanny found
her, a crumpled heap on the floor, and
picked her up as Wallace Irwin knock
ed at the open door.
He did not hesitate. With skillful
fingers and a sure knowledge as to
what he was about he made the girl
comfortable. AS he put the finishing
touches to the bandages she opened
her eyes and looked straight into the
keen gray ones above her. Even in her
pain their expression puzzled her. She
had seen that look in the eyes of 9th
err men, but that it should lie in Wal
lace Twins caused her wOnderment
and annoyance.
Nan drew more within herself and
he knew her reserve was due to his
one moment of self-betrayal. There
after he was on his guard, but being
a man of swift action he could not
long tolerate delay, and a few days
after the accident he demanded her
attention.
"Why did you run away from me
two years ago, NanT
run away? Why should I?' She
hesitated, looking at him oddly. as it
really you? / did not know it."
81 have searched for you every
where" he answered gravely.
"That was unnecessary" Her eyes
flashed. "Uncle Dick had no right to
make me a party to such a will-to
parcel me out as he did his stocks
and bonds. I preferred to make my
own living, as I have DONE"
"True. But he did leave you to me
with the stocks and bonds, and 1t was
up to me to find you"
Her glance was curious. Were you
| pleased to have wife thrust upon you
| in 500 arbitrary a manner-to be
forced to marry girl stranger, be-
cause of the knowledge she would be
penniless If you did not2"
| He laughed. 81 had seen you sew
eral times, and the venture did not
look undesirable. But you gave me no
chance to make good. That was I'M
| fair. AS for the money, / don't want
| 1T, but / do want you. I want the OPP
portunity to make you care. VIII you