The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-10-30


told him. "Some fool man has been
hunting out of season and got the
wrong kind of game. If / had fired
that shot 1t would have hit what 1t
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 bandage put
In place. The bandage was wet. but
he ascerta;ned that 1t 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 want to, we can make
il TO the canoe"
1t was not great distance. and
somehow, in spite Of the 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 was growing dusk, but Big Bruce
could see that there were white caps
on the lake. He doubted the girls
ability to paddle through the savage
waves. hut he kept his own 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.
Soon they were tossing on the lake.
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. Ii she faltered and allowed
the oncoming waves to turn the canoe
and sweep against It's side there was
no telling what would result.
However she worked like trojan.
never uttering word, and despite the
fact that ii was now so dark the shore
on either side was blotted out, she
seemed confident Of being able to
reach her destination, whatever 1t
might be.
At last they We're landed, and the
girl surprised Bruce by dragging the
canoe clear of the water with him in
1t, almost tipping him out.
There" she breathed. rather heav-
ily "Now for the car"
She left him, and presently flood
of light from the spotlight of an auto
surrounded him. Again she aided him
to wall and pracantlv ba Uos racIjp-
ing in the tonneau Of the car speed
ing over the road.
Soon they came to branch road,
which they followed for q short de-
lance, stopping finally in front Of a
comfortable looking cottage, in which
CHEEKY lights were burning.
Half an hour later Bruce was In
bed, 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 I 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.
One day one of the boys came tear
ing into the shack with packet Of
mail in one hand and a lone letter in
the other.
"Helpl help" he cried, in mock dis
tress. Here's 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 the while.
Presently he finished perusing the
missive and when he looked up he ap-
parently noticed for the first time that
he had an audience.
whats the matter with you
boobs?" he snOrted. "Can't a fellow
fall In love If he wants to? Say. where
in thunder's some ink, paper and pen"