The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-06
Eoening Story
Out of the Night a Thrush.

powerful car sliding along the river
road toward his country place. His
mind was at peace with the world; he
knew that. his housekeeper had wait
ing for him a pleasant lunch. and he
was leaving behind the din and confu-
sion in which he spent his city |busi-
ness days.
Around a curve the great car swept
and the golden lights swung a bit
aside.
With a sudden start and shock War
ner saw something white rise and fall
like a ghost in the side of the road. 1t
looked like something human and at
the same time more like a ghost.
Indecision %as fatal, for the car did
not waver with its masters hesitatin.
Setting the brakes with quick inn
pulse, Warner felt the car slide on
locked wheels along the damp road.
He looked back. but dusk and silence
was behind him.
He hesitated. There's something
spooky here or I'm a nut myself. 1
didn't hit any one, but 1 saw some
thing in white fall-or 1 was dream
ing" he muttered to himself.
he took the flashlight from its case
and walked back along the road. He
had gone farther than he intended,
but his eye caught a glimpse of some
thing white. A chill shock going thru
him, he hurried on, the flashlight
pointing ahead. The light picked up
and held in its bright gaze the figure
of a girl.
With a cry. Warner stopped; the
cry took the force of astounded words.
"A girl-and in her nightrobe!"
Controlling himself with an effort,
he turned her head. She was un-
conscious. Her arms were bare. The
nightgown was torn and muddy.
Great heavens! what is she doing
here?" he muttered to himself; and
then, gathering his dazed faculties,
he ran back to the car and came back
with a robe. He gathered the warm,
soft form into the robe, and taking
the slim burden in his arms, went
swiftly to the car
Placing her in the deep cushion of
the front seat and supporting her. he
sent the fast car whispering down the
road.
Her head lay warm and fragrant
against his own. Never in all his I'M
eventful days had a fair head been as
near his; bur the thought was a mo-
ment's thought. Life or death-both
might be in his keeping.
Down the road. up the long slope
that taxed many a car, his went with
out pause. He swung up the roadway
to his house, and the horn snarled
steadily with meaning into the night.
At the entrance a light cleaned.
Some one had guessed something was
wrong.
The white, wavy hair of his house,
keeper showed in the light. In answer
to her anxious query, he said swiftly,
I've girl here-may have hit her
see what you can do for heri"
Into one of the guest rooms he car
IN 10 fola
phone; and soon the wire was bring
ing back the cool voice of his per-
sonal physician saying he would be
there as fast as gas could bring him.
Warner rushed upstairs to find that
motherly hands working with assur-
ance had done their duty The girl
lay still and white in the bed, her
brown hair gathered over her thin
but beautiful Recommendations still
Suddenly, as Mrs. Hession bathed
her white brow the girls eyes opened,
dark and luminous. Fear came into
them-sharp and shining Let me go
don't keep me! I'm afraid!'
Warner pressed her back. You are
safe and in kind hands"
Her eyes followed his and she sank
back under his quiet tones. She
watched him unwinkingly as he went
on to soothe her. She drank the warm
drink that Mrs. Hession gave her, and
said nothing as the ministrations
went on.
A horn growled outside. and a min
ute later the gray kindly face of his
physician, Stetson, appeared at the
door. In a few words Warner made
plain the situation, and then went
down stairs.
1t seemed hours to him before the
doctor came down, and in explanation
SAID IN his brief way: 'All clear. Her
name is Lillian Mills. She was brought
down to the hospital from her noun
tain home: homesick and frightened
to death she made her escape from
the hospital and you picked her up.
She's an uneducated. wild girl of the
mountains. 1 telephoned Carr at the
hospital and he said they had been
searching for her everywhere but in
the right direction. She is in bad shape
probably appendicitis. would
recommend
Let me do it. I want her to stay
here, and want you and the best you
can get, Stet, to look after her" War
ner said quietly.
Stetson nodded, his gray face Sc
rene. "Ill see what can be done"
Nureses came and specialists, and a
week went before Warner saw her
again. 1t was meeting that left him
with a memory of dark. questioning
eyes. and face at peace. AS she grew
stronger under the highly skilled care.
he saw more of her. Her eyes lost
their Wlio look ana rested upon MIN
tenderly-a glance that thrilled him.
Once permitted TO talk, her low, sweet
voice thanking him was the last magic
to work upon him. He faced the issue
finally frankly; he was falling in love
with the wild mountain girl. Then
her father came-a crude, rough
mountaineer. shy and restless among
them. Warner talked with him long,
and when the rough figure departed
understanding. as between men who
are men, was reached.
Warner sought her Immediately.
Against the white pillow of the in
valid's chair. she looked like come wild
rose just unfolding.
Il want you to stay here" he said
smiling, and she smiled back in her
simple understanding way; and then
he went on, I want you to stay al
wayS-your father is willing-as my
wife,"
Sha stiffsned as with shock. then