Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-03-12
By
RObertJ ]. C.Stead
Author of
Kitchener and
Other Poems
illustrations by
IRWIN MYERS

''That was wonderful lift. The leg
| is broken-compound. Can you get
| some way of moving me to shelter?
will pay you WELL"
The last words were unfortunate.
Hospitality in the ranching country is
not bought and sold.
"You can't pay me nothin'," he said
rudely. ''But 1 can bring a light
wagon, If you can ride in that, and
put you up at the ranch. The old
mans soused," he added, as an after
thought, "but it's better than sleepin'
out. l won't be long"
He was back at his horse, and in
moment they heard the clatter of
hoofs galloping down the hillside.
The girl rested her fathers head In
her lap. Tears made her bright eyes
brighter still.
Don't cry, Reenie,' he said gently.
I'VE are very lucky to be so close to
help. OF course I'll be laid up for a
while. but it will give you chance
to see ranch life as it really is" He
WINGED with pain but continued: II
fancy we shall find it plain and un-
veneered. What a horseman! If
could run an automobile like he does
a horse we should not be here"
Hes strong" she said. But he's
rude"
"The best fields for muscle are often
poor schools for Manners" he an
swered.
The boy was soon back with
wagon and stretcher. He avoided
the eyes of his guests, but quickly
and gently enough he placed the in
jured man on the stretcher. II guess
you'll have to take the feet" he said.
The words were for the girl although
he did not look at her. IL could
hustle him myself but it might hurt
i'm"
But the injured man interrupted.
II beg your pardon" he said, 'that 1
did not introduce my daughter. 1 am
Doctor Hardy; this is my daughter
Irene, Mr."
"They don't call me mister" said
the boy. "Misters is scarce in these
woods. My name is Elden-Dave
Eden"
The girl came up with extended
hand. He took it shyly, but it made
him curously bold.
'I'm glad to meet you, Mr.. Eden"
she said.
''I'm glad to meet you, too" he an
swered. Misses Is scarcer than mis-
tiers in this neck o. the woods"
Carefully they lifted the injured
man into the wagon, and Dave drove
to the ranch building with an I'M
wonted caution that must have caused
strange misgivings in the hearts of
his team.
ut amt much of place." he said,
as they pulled up at the door. II
guess you can see that for yourself"
he added, with grin. "You see
there's just dad and me, and he's
soused most of the time, and / handle
lasso better'n scrubbin' brush"
He was already losing his shyness.
"Now you take the feet again. Steady!
Look out for that barrel hoop. This
way now"
He led into the old ranch house,
kicking the door wider open with his
heel as he passed. A partition from
east to west divided the house, and
another partition from north to south
divided the northern half In the
northeast room they set the stretcher
on the floor.
"Now," said the boy, I'm goin' for
the doctor. It's forty miles to town,
and it'll likely be mornin' before I'm
back, but I'll sure burn the trail.
There's grub in the house, and you
won't starve-that is If you can cook"
(This was evidently for Irene. There
was note in it that suggested the
girl might have her limitations.) dig
into anythin' in sight. And | hope
your fathers leg won't hurt very
much"
"Oh, I'll stand It," said Doctor
Hardy. with some cheerfulness. 1--WE
medical men become accustomed to
suffering-in other people. You are
very kind. My daughter may remain |
in this room. l suppose? There is |
no one else?"
mo one but the old man." he an
swered. Hes asleep in the next |
room, safe till mornin'. I'll be back
by that time. That's my bed" indi-
eating corner. make yourselves at |
home" He lounged through the door.
and they heard his spurs clanking
across the hard earth.
The girls first thought was for her
father. She removed his boot and |
stocking, and, under his direction. slit
the leg of his trousers above the in
Jury. 1t was bleeding little. In the
large room of the house she found a
pail of water, and she bathed the
wound, wiping it with her handker-
chief and mingling tear or two with
the warm blood that dripped from 1t.
You're good stuff" her father said,
pressing the fingers of her unoccupied
hand. Nov If you could find a clean
cloth to bandage it"