Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-05-14

Huce. lie IelJ Icnuerly OF the lnJuTeu
member. "Only my ankle-twisted it
a few days ago, and now again. It'll
be all right In a moment or two"
Her gaze Travelled from him to the
edge of the bluff.
81 didn't see-I mean, heard some
thing, and turned, and saw you trying
to sit up and the other man rising"
"Sorry we startled you" Whitaker
mumbled, wondering how the deuce he
was going to get home. His examina-
ton of the ankle hadn't proved greatly
encouraging.
But I-ah-how did it happen?"
"a mere misunderstanding, he said
lightly. 81 mistook the gentleman for
someone I knew. He resented it, so
we started to scrap like couple of
schoolbOys. Then l wish to
heaven 1t had been his leg instead of
miner
''But still hardly understand :"
"Well, you see, I-ah-rEs visiting
Ember-the cottage next to yours, l
believe. That is, if I'm not mistaken,
you have the Fiske placer
She nodded.
"And so, this morning, ii struck me
as fine young idea to swim over here
and have look at the beach. And
then l found that chap watching you"
That startled her. How do you
mean-watching meT
'Why-ah-that's what he seemed
to be doing"
She shook her head. "You must be
mistaken
'Daresay. l generally am when I
jump at conclusions. Anyway, he didn't
like it much when l called him out of
his name. / gathered, in fact, that he
was considerably put out. Silly, wasn't
it?"
"RatherI" she agreed gravely.
For a moment or two they eyed one
ing Just how much of q fool she was
thinking him and obviously consider
ing various expedlents to ingratiate
himself.
II don't seem to think of anything
useful to say" he ventured. Can you
help me out? Unless you'd be inter
ested to know my names Whitaker
Hugh Whitaker"
She acknowledged the information
merely by brief nod. at seems to
me-" she said seriously, that the
pressing question is, what are you go
Ing to do about that ankle? Shall
you be able to walk?"
lizard to say" he grumbled, trIfle
dashed. With infinite pains and the
aid of both hands and his sound foot
he lifted himself and contrived to
stand erect for an instant, then bore q
little weight on the hurt ankle-and
blanched, paling visibly beneath his In
eradicable tan.
IL don't suppose" he said with eff.
fort-"they grow-crutches-on this
neck of land?"
And he was about to collapse again
upon the sands when, without warning
he found the woman had moved to his
side and caught his hand. almost
brusquely passing his arm across hel
shoulders, so that she received no little
of his weight.
Don't say anything" she replied
shortly. "Pm very strong-quite able
to help you to the boat. Please don't
consider me at all just see if we cant
manage this way"
He endeavored to withdraw his arm
an effort rendered futile by her cool
firm grasp on his fingers.
"Pleaser she said-not altogether
patiently.
He eyed her askance. There was In
t this incredible situation certain pi
{ quancy, definitely provocative, tran
scending the claims his injury made
I upon his interest. Last night for the
first time he had seen this woman
and from a distance had thought hel
desirable; now, within twelve hours
) he found himself with an arm round
{ her neck
And then suddenly she turned hel
head and intercepted his whole-heartec
{ stare. For a thought wonder glim
I mered in the violet eyes; then they
flashed disconcertingly; finally they
became utterly cold and disdainful.
{ "Wellf she demanded in a frigit
voice.
r He looked away in complete confu
: sion, and felt his face burning to tn,
temples.
! 81 beg your pardon" he mumbled I'm
! happily.
0 He essayed to walk. Twenty fee
1 and more of treacherous. dry, yielding
e sand separated them from the fight o
e steps that assembled the bluff. l
Z. proved no easy journey.
The stairway accomplished, h,
:, limped to a wooden seat and sat dow
e with much grim decision in his man
r ner. But he mustered smile to NEE
f her look Of concern, and shook hi
e head.
}. "Thus far and no farther"
v "Oh, but you must not be stubborn I