The Winslow mail., 1917-03-02
II.

OuucI uuSC DtSCll LISc Ou Iuc tuSf
of the bank above Rock creek, stood a
covered wagon something after the OF.
der of the Old-time prairie schooner
but not so large. Still, it was largl
enough for the family of three tina,
made it their home. A cot, under =
slight shelter in the densest tres
shadow, held man whose face Showed
suffering.
Sarah and Mildred were having
picnic to cover an act of friendliness
for they had discovered upon thei
first visit that the childs parents wer,
above charity, although their stres,
was great. The woman was far from
well, and anxiety about her husban,
about sapped her strength. They haG
lived in one Of the large cities, where
he held good position until an attacI
of pneumonia left him too weak anG
wretched to resume it. They tool
their savings, bought food and outfi,
and started for somewhere.
"Just somewhere" the woman told
Mildred, "where we could have Gods
sunshine and pure air. He improved
at once, but a week ago he slipped
and broke his leg. Since then life
would be gray indeed if it were not
for Doctor Winthrop
doctor Winthropw Sarah eX.
claimed sharply. SIS he here?" She
turned to Mildred, who had bent rath-
er hastily over the creek and was
washing her hands. "You did not tell
me he was here"
Sarah said nothing further until
that evening when they were alone
upon the porch. Then she said:
"When did he come"
"YOu mean Doctor Winthrop?" Mil
dred's voice held note unusual to its
softness. "He has been in practice
here for a year past"
81 have often wondered what be
came of him." Sarah said "He dis
appeared suddenly, as suddenly as il
he had been swallowed up in some ca
tastrophe. l don't know why I should
give q thought to him, for he passed
entirely from my life after our last
quarrel"
"Why did you quarrel?" Mildred
leaned forward but did not look at her
friend. The other shrugged her shoul
ders. "Incompatihility. Jealousy
Fortunately we discovered it in time
A sudden, sobbing cry caught and
held their attention. Another, then
the sound of mans voice. Together
they ran to the gate, into the road.
short distance away car was stand
ing. Near it man with a child in
his arms. He was speaking quietly
but with authority.
He put the child on her feet as the
two girls stopped beside him. What
is it," Sarah asked, drawing Mamie
toward her. Can we help?"
"If you will be so good" He spoke
to Mildred. Mrs. McCallum has had
rather severe heart attack, and ]
have brought her to you. [ was sure
you would take her in. She needs care.
/ will take John to my rooms"
A week later the two girls were in
their usual lounging place. They had
been silent for some time when Sarah
at last aroused herself from her
thoughts, yawned and said, with
trace of amusement in her voice:
II did get a story, Mildred, but not
the one you thought. There were
good many ends to be gathered to-
gether, yet they merely led to a situu-
tion. One of the ends was held by a
little child. Another led from a bro
ken engagement to a self-cOntained
man whose sole thought, save in one
instance, is absorbed in his profess
sion"
"And that instance?" Mildred asked,
with a show of interest. Sarah smiled.
my dear, I saw him kiss you last
night
Copyright 1916, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per SYndicate.l