The Colorado statesman., 1918-03-02

she ulu DOl move, anu lHe ciiiiu'
with steadily advancing fingers, again
asked: "Shall l pinch her, daddy?"
He did not reply. Instead he drew
his hand across his eyes as If un-
certain as to the reality. When he did
speak his voice was sadly unsteady.
"Thank Godl Hereafter l 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,
especially?"
"You have come"
"You wanted me?"
"Yes."
"Then why did you not come to me?"
az want help. / could not ask for 1t
unless as a last resort. offered, it is
different"
"And you think will offer it?"
Judging from your goodness to the
mountain people. You give comfort to
them"
"That is different. They are poor
In my humble way, 1 give help where
it is needed. Years ago 1 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 pEysician"
"An army surgeon, retired on ac-
count of i'll health, which l have re-
gained on the mountain. You know
what that means at this time. l am
ordered to Fort Oglethorpe by the
18th. That leaves NE but two days,
and l feared l would have to ask for
that which 1 hope will be offered"
"And that is?"
His gesture toward the child was
eloquent. 81 am all she has"
"If 1 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. Il will not re-
turn"
81 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 1 would choose you from
all the world"
There was a certain controlled emo
strangely, and she rose to her feet.
again 1 say that 1 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 a
great upheaval a man can allow him
self a certain latitude of expression,
especially when he knows it can do no
HARM" he said gravely. 81 do not ex-
pect to return. Because 1 am con-
vinced of this, 1 can say to you what
under other circumstances would Re
little short of impudence, for, as
you say, we are strangers. But l be-
gan to care for you when you first
came to the mountain. l want you to
know this, and to believe it. 1 could
not let you know before. My wife
I do not wish to speak of her. She is
dead, and offer you not affront when
1 tell you that 1 love you. 1t is be-
cause of this 1 wish to leave Betty in
your care"
With troubled eyes Mary looked to-
ward the child. 81 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? 1t will be my comfort when
my time comes, over there" He
turned from her, looking out into the
limitless space. "It will be my COM
fort" he repeated.
''Why are you SO sure you will not
return?"
"There would be no incentive, with
Betty cared for"
Then it was that Mary surprised
herself by saying deliberately. "Mr.
Warren, if 1 told you that my inter-
est"
"Tnterest! I would want something
more than interest" he interrupted.
"Would that not do for the present?'
"No. 1t must be something more
definite"
For long she hesitated, then said
steadily. 81 think it is more than
interest. 1 am not sure. But if an
overwhelming anxiety for your safe
return is an evidence of deeper feel
ing, it is yours"
He took her hand raising it to his
lips. "In that case, Mary Hilton, God
willing, I will return to you and
Betty"
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