The Prescott daily news., 1918-04-13


 prehension as to her attitude.
 The next day-Sunday-she spent with Jack Barrow on a visit to his cousin in nearby town. They parted, as was their custom, at the door. It was still early in the evening-eight- thirty, or thereabouts-and Hazel went into the parlor on the first floor. Mrs Stout and one of her boarders sat there chatting, and at Hazel's entrance the landlady greeted her with a star ting bit of news:
 "Evenin', Miss Weir. Ave you 'eard about MT. Bush. pore gentlemanT Mrs. Stout was very English.
 "Mr. Bush? No. What about himr
 "'E was 'urt shockin' bad this awft'- noon." Mrs. Stout related. "Out 'orse- back ridin', and Is 'orse ran away with i'm, and fell on i'm. Fell all of a 'eap, they say. Terrible-terrible !! The pore man isn't expected to live. Is backs broke. they say. Wat a pity Shockin' accident. indeed"
 Miss Weir voiced perfunctory sym pathy, as was expected of her. seeing that she was an employee of the firm or had been lately. But close upon that she escaped to her own room. She did not relish sitting there dis cussing Mir. Andrew Bush.
 Nevertheless she kept thinking of him long after she went to bed. She was not at all vindictive, and his mis- fortune, the fact-if the report were true-that he was facing his end. stirred her pity.
 The report of his injury was verified in the morning papers. By evening it had pretty well passed out of Hazels mind. She had more pleasant con- cerns. Jack Barrow dropped in about six-thirty to ask If she wanted to go with him to concert during the week. They were sitting in the parlor, by a front window, chattering to each other, but not so engrossed that they failed to notice carriage drawn by two splendid grays pull up at the front gate. The footman in brown livery, got down and came to the door. Hazel knew the carriage. She had seen Mir. Andrew Bush abroad in 1t many a time. She wondered if there was some further annoyance in store for her, and drowned 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 lveried person bowed and ex- tended an envelope. "I 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 a medium. But there was her name inscribed. She glanced up. Mrs. Stout gazed past the footman with an air of frank anticipa- tion. Jack also was looking. But the landlady caught Hazel's glance and backed out the door, and Hazel opened the letter.
 The note was brief and to the point
 Miss Weir: Mir. 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, Nurse in Waiting.
 "The ideal Of course l wontl l wouldn't think of such a thingt" Hazel exclaimed.
 "Just second" she said to the foot man.
 Over on the parlor mantel lay some sheets of paper and envelopes. She borrowed pencil from Barrow and scribbled brief refusal. The foot man departed with her answer. Hazel turned to find Jack staring his puzzle ment
 "What did he wantT Barrow asked bluntly. "That was the Bush turnout, wasn't itr'
 "You heard about MT. Bush getting hurt, didn't you1" she inquired.
 "Saw 1t in the paper. Why"
 "Nothing, except that he is supposed