Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-08-17
CHAPTER XVIl.-Continued.

A little later ralomn, pale and heavy.
eyed. stole into the room, and Dawes
cheerful greeting awoke Mrs. Strange
with % Jerk.
"So' You're feeling better aren't
youT" the latter woman cried heartily.
"Yes. How did / get hcrcf' Dave
asked. II must have been right sick
and troublesome to you"
Paioma smiled md nodded "Slck
Why Dave. you frightened US ncnrly to
death. You were clenr out Of your
head
Mrs. Strange broke into his frown-
Ing meditation to ask, "IIow long since
you had n nights slccpf'
4 Oh, the prosecutor at Browns
vile amt let me alone u minute for a
week
"Cmphl | thought so. You puzzled
that piIl-rollcr, but doctors don't know
anything, anyhow. Why, he wanted to
wake you up TO find out what allied
you | threatened to scald him If he
did"
81 seem TO remember talking a good
deal" Dave vcnturcd. - reckon /
said q lot Of foolish things" lie caught
the look that passed between his
nurses and It's significance distressed
him.
Mrs, Strange continued: "That's
how We guessed what your trouble
was, and That's why | wouldn't let that
fool doctor disturb you, Now that
you've had II sleep ana are all right
again, I'm going home and change my
clothes. | haven't had them Off for
two nights"
1.-TWO nights!" Dave stared in be-
w~ildermcnt. Then he lamcly apollo
gl2cd for the trouble he had caused.
md tried to thank the women for their
Kindness.
He was shaky when, an hour later.
he came downstairs for breakfast: but
otherwise he felt better than for many
days and Blnze'S open delight at see
Ing him did him as much good ns the
food he ate.
Dave spent part Of the morning sun
ming himself OF the porch, reading the
papers with their exciting news. Dur
Ing his absence Paloma had lone her
best to spoil Montrosa, and among 9th
or marks Of favor had allowed her free
run Of the yard, where the shade was
cool and the grass fine, and where de-
liclouS tidbits were to be had from the
Kitchen for the mere asking. In con-
sequence, Dave did not remain there
long until he was discovered. Mont
rosa slgnalcd, then trottcd toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and cNtrnvagant; her well
come was as enthusiastic MS a horse
could make II. Gone were her coQuetry
and airs; she noscd and nibbled Dave:
she rubbed and rooted him with the
violence of n battcring-ram, and per-
mlttcd him to hug her and murmur
words Of love into her velvet ears, She
snapped confidence for confidence.
too aud then, when he finally walked
back toward the house. she followed
rs If fearful that he might
again desert her.
Phil Strange met the lovers ms they
the corner of the porch. and
warmly shook Dawes hand. "Teeny-
wite-told me you was better" he
began. ESQ | beat 1t out here. hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
II was pretty sick" Dave acknowl-
Mrs. Strange was mighty kind ,
10 me"
sick people get her goat. She's got l
way with 'em and with animals. too. !
Why, Rajah, the big python with our
snow, took sick one year, and he'd have
He'd sure only for her. Same with II
.ot of the other animals. She knows
any vet | ever saw
Perhaps | needed II veterinary In y
stead OF a doctor" Dave smiled. Il {
I've got some horse blood in me. !
MoutroSa had thrust her head {
lnder his arm and was waiting for /
lim to scratch her ears. |
We'll, l brought you some mail" !
strange fumbled In his pocket for a ;
mall bundle Of letters, explaining |
Blaze gave me these for you as /
passed the post Office" ,
Dave took the letters with a word of
hanks, and thrust them cnreleSSly in
o his pocket. "What seems to be the :
rouble?' he inquired.
You remember our last talk? Wen, u
hem MeNicans have got me ratified. i,
We been trying everywhere to locate +,
If you hadn't come home Ia have =
one to the prosecuting attorney, or ,
omebliy." :
Then you've learned something +,
lorc?" =
Phil nodded, and his sallow face "
uckered with apprehension. Rosa
Iorales has been to see me regular"
Dave passed an uncertain hand over
Is forehead. I'm not in very good
lape to tackle a new proposition, but
what is itY' h
"We'ye got to get Mrs. Austin away u
here" u
I'VE? Why?" :,
"lf we don't they'll steal her" n
"Steal herr Dawes amazemeut was fl
font EAro vas, --oyvSu H.