The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-08
CHAPTER xLNIn


 There was no holding D0na the next day. She insisted upon being taken to stan Balls nido 1n1t doctor delayed os long % they dared and finally gave in after Asper carried bona into the sick room and set her chair beside etan's bed. The young adventuler was asleep but he stirred ee nn9 bent toward him. He was pale ana his face had lost much ox. 1% strength. but he was the same stan Bali. It seemed his lips were reaoy to smile at any moment.
 The doctor left the room noiae- 1eerIv and AaDer followed. Dona eaf fookIng down at the man she Ind 10 nearly killed. Her gaze may have carried e message or he may moi have been as Doundly asleep as ile seemed. At any rate, his eyes opened and he looked up at her.
 She smiled and ynurmured soft Iy. s'I came to see if there was anything you wanted"
 Stan surveyed the pillows prop ped behind her and a grin spread over his face. "Your father says l get what I want around here. Do [" he asked by way of greeting His voice was weak, but he was as sure of himself as he had ever been.
 Dona bIushed. .'r am sure he will do . lot for you" she said;
 "And your" He was still holding her with his grave eyes.
 "I'lI be nice to you, too. That's Co c~A 0hossf vnf might want something special that I could fix, Dona suddenly de- cided that she was getting into . danrerous corner.
 sSoup is all the doc will let me have. You might fix me a steak and some baked potatoes and Q pie." His eyes were twinklingS
 "You shall have your steak and baked potatoes and pie." Dona promised.
 She was wondering if he knew
 .And if winter comes?" stan paraphrased the title of a book he had seen her reading on one of his secret trips to camp.
 "Winters," Dona corrected.
 "Wintere," Stan murmured.
 "FIe's gone." The words slipped out unbidden and Dona blushed furiougly.
 "And he took the little senorita." l" Stan was watching her face closely.
 @And she took your g1ove,' Dona could not help but remind him of SMy glover" stan was puzzled and showed it.
 Your right hand glove" Dong insisted. (
 stan laughed. "That's queer one. Both my gloves are over in that pile of rags that you ruined" His eyes moved across the room to- ward a closet door.
 1T suppose that glove was Dud's. Dona was ready. to admit that she had not a single thing. to hold against him except the fact that she loved him and did not want him to find 1t out at once.
 The doctor hustled in. You must said with a professional frown.
 "Oh, I can walk" Dona assured him, and rose. from the chair. She took two steps and wobbled. The next instant she was in the doctors arms.
 s.No moro of. that or you go right back to bed," warned the doctor aa he started for the door.
 Dona smiled a farewell to Stan. He grinnedA at her and called softly after them. 'I'll have them bring me in to see you tomorrow"
 
 Dona insisted upon being carried out to the porch. She sat there watching the busy scene below. As- per had the mills going smoothly again and the men who had lately been c0mbing the hills with rifles were moving about at peaceful tasks. The old timber king was striding across the clearing with his head up. He looked her way and waved, then came up to the porch.
 "See your young fire eater?- he asked.
 "Yes, thank you." Dona smiled down upon her parent.
 Asper looked at her for a long minute, then shook . heavy finger. "Now look here, young lady, none of your woman"s wi1es with Ball. I'm making him timber boss of this cutting, and I don't want to have i. him ruined"
 Hell never take it," Dona said. =