The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-04-05

She nodded toward the big house
across the way. 81 am visiting friends,
but | would like to remain all summer
If the cottage is practicable"
at 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.
GLOW could you, Nan?" she said at
last. "You know how we want you
with u.s."
81 know" Nan answered soberly,
"but / 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. II saw him
in Washington ten days ago, but he
said nothing about coming out. / Won
Il
Ing with us. He seemed interested"
"Why, / never before saw the man."
She had been in her home q 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-
lions. 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, 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 O sure knowledge as to
what he was about he made the girl
comfortable. AS ne 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
er men, but that 1t 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
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, Nan?"
"Run away? Why should II" She
hesitated, looking at him oddly. as 1t
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 party to such n will--to
parcel me out as he did his stocks
and bonds. / preferred to make my
own living, as 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 a wife thrust upon you
In so arbitrary manner-to be
forced to marry n girl, a stranger, be-
cause of the knowledge she would be
pennlless IL YOU did not?'
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 UNI
fair AS for the money, l don't want
1t, but | do want you. / want the op-
portnnity to make you care. WIN you
| give 1t to me?'
III | did not feel like bundle of
gold certificates, I-perhaps--"
Hang the money" he said rough.
~. Il can take care Of you without
1t. But you are little mixed. The
certificates We're mine, and / turned
them over to the trustees the morning
/ met you here. i knew you would not
come to me as long as | held them.
Now, VIII you give me my chance?"
IF you really want It." she an
swered slowly. II think | am glad TO
| give It."
1 Copyright, 1917 by tile Mcclure Nawspa.
| per 5yndicatel