Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-03-14

leaves, and Mary Hilton raised her
eyes to Billy Warren's face.
She did not move, and the child
with steadily advancing fingers. again
asked: "Shall 1 pinch her, daddy"
He did not reply. Instead he drew
his hand across his eyes as If I'M
certain as to the reality. When he did
speak his voice was sadly unsteady.
THANK God Hereafter / shall al
ways believe in prayer"
Mary looked at him thoughtfully.
"You have been praying. and / am an
answer to your prayer? In what way,
especallyY
"You have come"
"You wanted mel"
ayes"
"Then why did you not come to mel"
81 want help. | could not ask for 1t
unless as a last resort. offered, it is
different"
"And you think Will offer itf'
Judging from your goodness to the
mountain people. You give comfort to
them"
"1hat Is different. They are poor.
In my humble way | give help where
1t Is needed. Years ago | took a course
OF training in an eastern hospital. 1t
has stood me in good stead in my life
here But my work does not approach
yours. You are a physlcian?'
AN army surgeon, retired on ac-
count of i'll health, which / have re-
gained on the mountain. You know
what that means at this time. am
ordered to Fort Oglettorpe by the
10Th. That leaves me but two days,
and l feared l would have to ask for
that which l hope Will be offered.
"And that is?'
His gesture toward the child was
eloquent 81 am all she has"
IF l do this thing, do you surrender
her entirely, or will you claim her
upon your return"
His eyes held hers with an express
sion quickly yelled. 81 will not re-
tsrn'
u do not quite understand" she re-
piled slowly. 1--WE are strangers. You
must have friends who would gladly
do this for you"
Yes, but l would choose you from
all the world"
There was certain controlled emo
ton in his voice that affected her
strangely, and she rose to her feet.
again l say that l do not under
stand"
THAT is natural" He walked the
length of the level in front OF the
cabin and back. upon the eve of
great uphcayal a man can allow him
self Il certain latitude of expression,
especially when he knows 1t can do no
| harm" he said gravcly. 81 do not ex-
| peCt to return. Because l am con-
| WINGED of this, l can say to you what
under other circumstances would be
| little short of impudenee. for. as
| you say, we are strangers. But | be-
| gan to care for you when you first
! came to the mountain. | want you to
| know this and to believe it. | could
not let you know before My wife
| | do not wish to speak of her. She is
! dead, and | offer you not affront when
! ! tell you that | love you 1t is be-
| cause of this / wish to leave Betty In
| your care"
With troubled eyes Mary looked to-
ward the child. II did not imagine
! this"
"How could you? My effort has
| been to keep you from knowing. VIII
/ you do this for me, now that you do
/ know? II will be my comfort when
my time comes, 'over there" He
turned from her, looking out into the
/ lmitleSs space ut viii be my com
| fort" he repeated.
"Why are you so sure you win not
return?"
"There would be no incentive, with
| Betty cared for"
Then il was that Mary surprised
herself by saying deliberately. Mr..
Warren, if / told you that my inter
/ est"
Interest! I would want something
more than interest,"" he Interrupted
would that not do for the present?"
NO II must be something more
! definite"
For long she hesltated. then snid
steadily. 81 think It is more than
! interest | am not sure. But If an
overwhelming anxiety for your safe
return is an evidence Of a deeper feel
/ ing, it is yours"
/ Tie took her hand, raising II to his
lips an that case, Mary Hilton. God
willing, I win return to you and
| Betty"
.
Goat MIX Is Valuable.