Evening star., 1922-05-07

desire to ease her burdens and shield
her from injury.
You should have a doctor, or per-
haps we could move your father to
Pepperton or even a larger place"
mo! no" she cried fearfully. He
would never hear to that"
She did not demur when he asked
to see the sick man, but warned him
to be careful not to arouse his AMI
mostly, as his illness had made him
suspicious Of strangers.
IN the dim light Of the hut Tar1e-
ton made out the figure Of q man on
a cot in the, corner. His unkempt
white hair and beard and deadly pal
lor gave the visitor a distinct shock.
THAT you. Millicent?" the sick man
called feebIy.
Don't be troubled. papa: I've brought
some one who wants to help u.s.
Some one has Gomez" he cried in a
shrill pipe. He brought himself reso-
lutely to his feet, but fell back with
a groan. clutching at his breast.
please don't excite yourself" urged
Tarleton: you're sick and need help
l
pened to be passing along and want
to help you-anything I can possibly
do"
"All I need is rest and peace
peace!"
He repeated the last word several
times. gasping it with pitiful eager
ness. He was fully clad in a weather.
beaten suit Of corduroy. and though
fire smofdered in the fireplace. his
hands and face were icy cold. Tarle-
ton gently urged him back on the
cot and sn1oothed out the coverings.
His pulse fiuttered uncertainty, and
his hands opened and shut convul-
siyely in time to his quick, sharp
breathing.
Il + y
A T times during the winter. the girl
II said, when they had gone outside
to confer, her fathers condition had
been seemingly as critical as now.
There was no medicine: the heart
stimulant she had bought the previ-
GUS fan before they established them
selves on the island had long since
been exhausted.
There's d doctor in a camp passed
on my way up. I'll bring him. Your
father needs medical care immedi-
ately"
"oh, 1 don't dare" she cried, with
d Sol, in her tfIroat. There are rea-
sons why IT Is better for him to die
here ana now. If the end must come" !"
"It's our duty to get help, if we
can. You speak OF reasons" A great
tenderness surged in his heart. "I
hope you believe that wouldn't in
jure you or bring any harm to your
father. We must work together. for
your sake and for his. We are
friends" he said gently, "and we've
got to meet this thing together. You
you are Miliicent Shields"
/ She spfang away, throwing herself
defensive1y against the cabin door.
The look she bent upon him was that
of some wild animal brought to bay
by a ruthless hunter.
.eYou still believe in me?" he dues-
toned. THAT makes everything
simpler"
She glanced into the hut before .an-
swering.
at doesn't matter now; nothing
matters. except that want to do
everything 1 can for my fathers
comfort. Do you think--do you think
this is the end?"
att may be-" he replied gravely;
.'but II he has rallied before. he may
do SO again"
She was calm again, asked where
he had met the doctor and how long
Fit would take TO make the journey:
She sent him of. urging him to make
haste.
Luck favored him. A snart wind
made 1t possible to sail all the way
to the point where he had fallen In
with the physician and his friends.
He came upon GafrinSton snd RiEti
IN i rowboat troifine and explained
Ai6 sfrand.