The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-11-10
MARY'S ENEMY
BY cEARIssA MAckIE
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3 BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.

white clouds with lazy enjoyment. The
green river flowed slugglshly and the
Old boat idled with the current. Mary
Bell was trailing one oar as a rudder.
needless of the puffs Of wind that came
racing up from nowhere and scarcely
noticing when the boat increased It's
speed. The white lids wavered over
her sapphire eyes, closed. and Mary
Bell Branch slept the sleep OF careless
twenty-one on u drowsy day in Au-.
gust.
Suddenly there was violent shock
of impact as the skiff struck rock on
the shore of Sandy island. Mary Bell
was neatly dumped into the wet sand
and the skitf, righting itself, bounded
away on its rollicking career down the
now swift-howing stream.
Mary Bell stared after the skiff as
one who had just discovered that an
ancient and trusted horse had decided
to run away.
"Oh-the dickens!' walled Mary
Bell, staring at the mainland half
mile away.
whats the racketT asked a cool
voice, and Mary Bell turned lovely,
frightened face to discover that there
was another inlfabitant of Sandy
island-a fine. brOnzed youth.
Mary Bell jumped to her feet in
stantly. II ran aground-that is. my
boat struck rock and threw me out.
Then 1t drifted away. | must get to
the mainland at once-my people will
be worried If the boat is found. How
did you get here?'
walked" he said simply.
Mary Bell gave, him a scathing
glance and her voice sheok a little.
"Of course 1t is not joke to me"
she paled suddenly and swayed. II be-
lieve my ankle is sprained--" she sank
suddenly down on the sand.
At once his voice became grave, con-
cerned. "Sprained? l am sorry. Let
me see 1t moment-I am doctor
my names Stoddard-"
"No-no-please do not touch 1t, Mr.
Stoddard.'
"Why notT
"Be-because your name is Stoddard."
she said in low tone. her face hidden
in her hands.
Il can't help my name" he said
shortly, "any more than you can help
yours-may / ask what it is?''
Branch"
Goodnight !" he calculated inele-
gantly. Are you dragging in the old
family feud at this late day? An old
uncle of mine told me about ii last
night when arrived for visit My
father had lived North SO long that he
supposed the Ratchet was buried, and
in token of it he named me after his
grandfather's ancient enemy-Branch'
is my name. too. Branch Stoddard,
NJ. d., IL you please"
Mary Bell looked up at him from
wet eyes. II think could dislike you
very much," she said rudely, and twist
ing away sharply so that she could NOT
see the black eyes grow softer, she
cried out and tainted away.
sleeve torn from his shirt made
strong bandage Tor the swollen ankle.
First he bathed the poor foot in the
cold river water until it ached, then
the throbbing was relieved when the
skilled fingers fastened the snug ban
dage. A dash of cold water restored
discovered with mingled indignation
and gratitude that she had been re-
moved from the waters edge to a dry
spot under wild thorn-apple tree,
and that her ankle had ceased to
throb. 1t felt stiff and useless how
ever.
what did you do2" she asked
family.
He told her. adding: II painted 1t
with iOdine-always have little vial
of II when I'm knocking around out Of
DOORS"
"You are very good" she murmured,
and then with flushing cheeks she no
ticed that he had set her little shoe.
with its dainty stocking close beside
her hand.
I'm going to the other side of the
island moment" he explained; "rll
ietch SauctiluB SO tuht 1 Chu Btt yOu
home"
She heard the bushes "swish-h" as
he passed through, then silence fell or
the sandy island. Mary Bell thought
of the young doctors pleasant voice,
his kind eyes, the tender touch of his
deft fingers. Truly, he had ministered
to his enemy.
There was pleasant rumbling
sound as If wheels were crossing
bridge, then the crashing of bushes.
and Doctor Stoddard again with
wheel chair and steamer rug.
II came across the bridge" he ex-
planned. az
"Bridge?" she echoed
New one-foot bridge over to our
place--told you walked over here.
didn't 1? Now, Miss Branch--there.
let me lift you; will be careful--sol
All comfortableT
"Yes--thank' you so much-7and am
sorry that was rude r.
Forgiven long ago-please don't
worry about that. am taking you up
to my aunt's house-they want you.
You will have tea, and then am go-
ing up to see your uncle and aunt.
n -.