, 1919-10-16

ave got your wound fixed up" she
told him. Some fool man has been
hunting out of season and got the
wrong kind of game. If 1 had fired
that shot it would have hit what it
was aimed at"
She snorted in disgust. An eXami-
nation with his hands showed Bruce
that his shirt had been cut away
around the wound and a bandage put
in place. The bandage was wet. but
he ascertained that it was with water
instead of blood.
IT'S not serious-if / hurry you
home" she told him, in business-like
tones. IF you'll try to walk, and lean
on me all you van to, we can make
it to the canoe"
1t was not n great distance, and
somehow, in spite of he pain and his
weakened condition, which became
more pronounced when he essayed to
walk, Bruce was almost sorry when
they arrived at the shore and she
helped him into the canoe.
1t II growing dusk, but Rig Bruce
could see that there were white APPS
on the lake. He doubted the girls
ability to paddle through the savage
waves, but he kept his W counsel.
Before pushing the craft into the
water she filed his pipe for him,
placed the stem between his teeth and
lighted it. He was so amazed by this
act of thoughtfulness that he came
near forgetting to draw on the pipe.
C-~.. ,l-,- ,--.s 2--s-- 4- tI, la1ra
Big Bruce was somewhat apprehen-
sive. but he knew he was powerless TO
help the girl who was seated in the
stern padding vigorously to keep the
nose IF the boat headed into the ridges
of foam. If she faltered and allowed
the oncoming wave to turn the canoe
and sweep against its side there was
no telling what would result.
However, she worked like a trojan,
never uttering a word, and despite the
fact that it was now so dark the shore
on either side was blotted out, she
seemed confident of being able to
reach her destination, whatever it
might be.
At last they were landed, and the
girl surprised Bruce by dragging he
canoe clear of the water with him in
it. almost tipping him out.
There" she breathed, rather heav-
lily. Now for the car"
She left him. and presently a flood
of light from the spotlight of an auto
surrounded him. Again she aided him
TO walk, and presently he was reclin-
ing in the tonneau of the car speed
ing over the road.
soon they came to O branch road,
which they followed for a short dis
ance. stopping finally in front of a
comfortable looking cottage. in which
CHEEKY lights were burning.
Half an hour later Bruce was in
bed, n fresh %bandage over the wound,
the girls brother having come to help
LOOK after the patient.
"Father will be back soOn.' the girl
told him. Hes a doctor, and he'll
fix You up right; but 1 know you'll
have to stay here three weeks. It's
lucky we didn't go back to the city
yesterday as we had planned"
Three weeks later Big Bruce was
back in Lovers Lodge" practically
recovered from his wound.
n day one of the boys came a
ing into the shack with a packet of
mail in n hand and a lone letter in
the ther.
"Helpi help I" he cried. In mock dis
tress.. Heres a letter for Mr.. Bruce
Forrester-and it's pink and got per-
fume on It."
Bruce took the letter, his face blaz-
ing, and retired to his bunk. The 9TH
ers gathered round and looked on in
open-mouthed establishment while he
read to himself smiling tile while.
Presently he finished perusing the
missive and when he looked up he APP
parently noticed for the first time that
he had an audience.
whats the matter with you
boobs?" he snorted. Cant a fellow
fall in owe If he wants to? Say, where
in thunder's some ink, paper and penn"