The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-26

shot," she panted.
 Dudley did not stop to ask ques- tions but dashed away while Dona arranged her fathers bed. swergin carried Asper up the steps and into the room. The heavy burden seem- ed only a trifie to the timber boss. The doctor came |bustling in with his black case and took charge. He halted long enough in his examin- ation to look at Dona and then to order Dudley, who stood with an arm around her, to take her from the room.
 Give her whiskey or black cof- fee and have her where l can call her. She should lie down." The doc tor turned again to his patient and did not give the pair another glance.
 Dudley forced Dona to come with him. He took her to her room and produced a flask from his pocket. Dona was able to swal- low only a gulp of the liquor but its fire soothed her. Dudley insisted that she should lie down and sat beside her holding her hand.
 Honey, I love you" he whis- pered.
 Dona stirred. and looked at him dry-eyed.
 I'm taking you out of here just as soon as your Dad can be mov- ed!" he announced determinedly. l A dark light flashed in the girls blue eyes. 'I'm not going until that man, Ball, Is brought in." Her lips were tight and her litle chin
 what good can you dor" Dud- ley insisted gently.
 "He took a mean advantage of Dad. I saw it!" Dona fastened her eyes on the door.
 Dudley did not Argue. There would be plenty of time for that after they received news about the wounded man.
 The little clock on the dresser ticked away but Dona did not take her eyes from the door and the firm line of her mouth did not saf- ten. At length she spoke.
 Tiff Dad doesn't-make 1t l want to have a hand in running Ball down. I could shoot him my self!'
 The door opened softly and the doctor thrust his head = inside. When he saw the pair he entered. Dona leaped up and ran to meet him.
 He is asleep and he has a chance. Swergin got him in just in time. Bad rap on the head to go with the bullet wound" He looked at Dona critically and seemed to be deciding something.
 "He will make it!" the girl whis- pered fiercely.
 "You can nurse him ?" the doctor put the question briefly.
 Dona nodded eagerly. No hysteria. No foolishness. Just do as I tell you" The doctor was not accustomed to wealthy pa- tients and gave his orders bluntly.
 Dona listened carefully to all he said. She was eager to go at once to her fathers side but the doctor shook his head.
 "This is my job tonight. You are to sleep. If l need you I'll call you He gave a questioning look at Dud- ley as he turned to leave.
 "I'll stay up with him tonight" Dudley offered.
 Dona squeezed Dudley's hand and let him go without q word.
 The next morning Asper regain ed consciousness while DOna was at his side. He grinned as he recog- nized her and spoke weakly.
 That cowpuncher came near getting the old man."
 Dona patted his hand. NO talk ing yet, Dad. You'll be fit as ever in yde, few odat days the the, doctHr sSysia with one bullet" Asper grinned. Who brought me in?"
 "Swergin," Dona told him with a smile. 1T guess you were right about him. He is a good man and we owe him u lot" She did not tell 4 him of her part in the affair. Asper smiled and closed his eyes. In a few minutes he was asleep and Dona tip-toed to the open win dow. She could see Dudley down at the corrals. He was riding her roan horse and she could tell by the lift of his shoulders that he was proud of his success.
 Dona slipped out on the porch where she was still within few steps of the sick room. Putting her fingers to her lips in the manner of her pig-tail days she whistled. Dud- ley looked up and saw her. He waved and sent the roan gallop- ing up the hill.
 7'Where did you get my horse?" she greeted him.
 "Just borrowed him." A look of pride came into Dudley's face. "I had to show this brute could ride him."
 "Didn't he object?" Dona smiled.
 Dudley anwsered with a frank grin. "That bird, Malloy, down at the corral says you took all the fight out of him."
 porch rail and patted the roan. Don't every try to shoot while you're riding him." she warned.
 'I may do just that" There was determined look in Dudley's eyes: i've been practicing with a rfie."
 You're not going out, Dudley. l need you too badly"
 "How is your father?" Dudley asked evasively. Not worse?"
 Dona shook her head. Dad is going to be fine. He's already swearing vengeance and that's a good sign" She gave Dudley a red tipped smile. II just don't want you to go out. Ball knows every foot Of Folly Mountain and he's not above shooting from behind tree"
 Dudley sensed his advantage and lpushed 1t. ,"I'll just about have to-. Remember I have bargain to keep and a prize to win!"
 Dona's clear eyes clouded. We can think of that later," she prom ised, but you have to be careful" :"
 Dudley felt he had made his point and rode away with his shoul- ders square. Dona watched him cross the clearing and enter the scrub growth beyond. She was q litle worried about him and when Swergin came around the corner she asked the timber boss to keep an eye on him.
 "Got too many fools loose around