The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-07-06
ACROSS THE way
BY SUSAN e. CLAGETT.

idSC lOOhtu Ii Oiil liiC OuC W tllt OtAc
and nodded her head with satisfat
ton.
SIT will do, if I can only make tn
others see it," she thought. "Even
the roof leaks there must be one o
two of the rooms that are habitabl
and the place will be a riot of beaut
when the June roses are in bloom
However, I see its possibilities be
cause so desire it. The place is real
ly forlorn."
"Stick to the possibilities, a pleas
ant voice said behind her. "When the
weeds are cut and a few nails are
driven into missing palings you viii
not know it,"
The girl turned with a start, hel
eyes cold. She had not realized she
had spoken aloud.
at does look uncared for" the man
continued, critically examining the cot
tage and it's surroundings, "but know
it's possibilities. Ii you wish, I will
have it put in order at once"
"Are you the owner?"
t'I was born here. Strange how one
let's the years pass without coming
back. I have always meant to come,
but never did. I think" he said re-
| fectively, "that I have been waiting
for just this" He turned and looked
at her for the first time. "You are a
stranger to the place"
She nodded toward the big house
across the way. II 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."
81 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.
"WhOW
"The doctor-your prospective land
lord" Then he chuckled. Il saw him
in Washington ten days ago, but he
said nothing about coming out. I Won
der-yes, did tell him you We're stay
ing with us. He seemed Interested"
"Why, I never before saw the man."
She had been in her home a 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, 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 sure knowledge as to i
what he was about he made the girl |
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
er. 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
Dne moment of self-betrayal. There
after he was on his guard but being
4 man of swift action he could not
ong tolerate delay, and few days
after the accident he demanded her
attention.
"Why did you run away from me
wo years ago, Nan?"
run away? Why should II" She
lesitated, looking at him oddly. els it
'eally you? 1 did not know it,
81 have searched for you every
where" he answered gravely.
''That was unnecessary" Her eyes
lashed. "Uncle Dick had no right to !,
make me a party to such will-to
'arcel me out as he did his stocks
nd bonds. I preferred to make my
wn living. as have DONE"
"True. But he did leave you to me .
nth the stocks and bonds, and it was
p to me to find you" r
Her glance was curious. "Were you +
leased to have a wife thrust upon you
1 so arbitrary manner-to be $
breed to marry girl, a stranger, be- |
ause of the knowledge she would be $
enniless if you did not?" +
He laughed. 81 had seen you sew d
raj times, and the venture did not v
,ok undesirable But you gave me no t
nance to make good. That was I'M 2
air. AS for the money, don't want t
but | do want you. l want the OPP C
Drtunity to make you care. Will ycu 3
We it to me?"
"If / did not feel like a bundle of a
I'D certificates, I-perhaps-" "
"Hang the money" he said rough 0
i. 81 can take care of you without b
But you are a little mixed. The IL
rtificates were mine, and I turned tt
ON ,uor RI tho fructooe tho t,,ornipn | "