Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-01-18

| failed to notice a carriage drawn by
two splendid grays pull VI. at the front
gate. The footman, in brown livery,
got down and came to the door. Hazel
knew the carriage. She had seen Mr..
Andrew Bush abroad in it lnany
time. She wondered if there was some
/ further annoyance in store for her, and
frowned at the prospect.
| She heard Mrs. Stout answer the
bell in person. There was a low
humble Of voices. Then the landlady
appeared in the parlor doorway, the
footman behind her.
This is the lady" Mrs. Stout in
dicated Hazel. "a message for you,
Miss Weir"
| The liveried person bowed and ex-
tended an envelope. 81 was instructed
to deliver this to you personally" he
said. and fingered as if he looked for
further instructions.
Hazel looked at the envelope. she
could not understand why, under the
circumstances, any message should
come to her through such q medium.
But there was her name inscribed. She
glanced up. Mrs. Stout gazed past the
footman with an air of frank anticpa-
tion. Jack also was looking. But the
landlady caught Hazels glance and
backed out the door, and Hazel opened
the letter.
The note was brief and to the point !:
Miss Weir: Mr.. Bush being seriously
| injured and unable to write, bids me say
that he is very anxious to see you. He
sends his carriage to convey you here. His
physicians fear that he will not survive
the night. hence he begs of you to come.
Very truly,
ETHEL r. WATSON.
Nurse in Waiting.
"The idea! Of course 1 won't! /
wouldn't think of such thing" !" Hazel
exclaimed.
"Just a second" she said to the foot
man.
Over on the parlor mantel lay some
sheets of paper and envelopes. She
borrowed a pencil from Barrow and
scribbled a brief refusal. The foot
man departed with her answer. Hazel
turned to find Jack staring his puzzle
ment
what did he want?" Barrow asked
bluntly. "That was the Bush turnout
wasn't it?"
"You heard about Mr.. Bush getting
hurt, didn't your she inquired.
"Saw it in the paper. Why?
Nothing, except that he is supposed
to be dying-and he wanted to see
me. At least-well, read the note,
Hazel answered.
Barrow glanced over the missivs
and frowned.
"What do you suppose he wanted
! you for?" he asked.
"How should / know?" Hazel evaded
"Seems funny" he remarked slowly
"Oh, let's forget it." Hazel cam,
J and sat down on the couch by him. ("
! don't know Of any reason why h,
, should want to see me. 1t was Ger
+ tain1y a peculiar request for him I,
make. But that's no reason why w
7 should let it bother us. If he's reall,
: so badly hurt, the chances are he's ou
: of his head. Don't scowl at that bi
: Of paper so. Johnnie-boy."
{ Barrow laughed and kissed her, an
4 luc ouDJtCl WIS uTOppSu lOTluWlII
5 Later they went out for a short wall
: In an hour or so Barrow left for home
= promising to have the concert ticket
for Thursday night.
9 Hazel took the note out of her bel
:, and read it again when she reache
o her room. Why should he want t
see herr She wondered at the man
d persistence. He had insulted her, az
d cordlng to her view of it-doubly ir
d suited her with threats and an er
forced caress. Perhaps he merel
a wanted to beg her pardon; she ha
r heard Of men doing such things i
e their last moments. But she could nc
e conceive of Mr.. Andrew Bush bein
J. sorry for anything he did. And so sh
:. could not grasp the reason for ths
a eleventh-hour summons. But she coul
!. see that a repetition of such incident
n might put her in a queer light. Othe