Nogales international., 1934-10-06
NoaS go on as1th the story.


He had started perceptibly at the
sight of her, but he came in quietly
now, greeting them all easily, even
cheerfully.
Pm sorry I'm late, major" he said
simply, 'had bad case--had to stay
all night"
The major, releasing Nancy's hand,
turned on him crustily. Killing your
self for some old beggar, I'll war
rant!" he said sharply.
: Richard laughed grimly. I'm hard
er to kill than that, major"
"Humph, you look like an owl !
Nancy-where's that girl" the old
man looked about, bewildered.
"She went out with Angie" Rich
ard said dryly. Let me see your
foot, major" and he laid hold of the
bandageS.
Meanwhile, Angie found it hard to
keep her friend even moment. But
Nancy had utterly forgotten that An
gle might be hurt about her brother
She wrenched her hand free of An
gie's OBTAINING fingers.
1--WE got to go" she cried, Mama
wants mel promised-I'll come
again!"
She was off, running down the path
like frightened deer. She swung a.
round, ran down to the back fence,
climbed over into some blackberry
brambles, stumbled and twisted her
ankle.
She tried to take the short Gut to
her home but sudden pang shot
agony through her ankle, she stum-
bled again, went lame and tried to
'hobble toward the river. She could
sit there on the bank until he had gone
home, she thought, and then she
flushed with anger; she hated herself
for being so childish. She WINGED with
shame as much as with the pain i'll her
ankle. Suddenly she determined to
walk straight across the field and go
home But her courage failed utterly
when she saw that he was taking that
way home. Ii she went step farther
it would look as if she wanted to
meet him. There was just time to
avoid the encounter.
She turned hurriediy and tried to
run down the path behind the pine
trees. But her hurt ankle suddenly
gave way, her foot turned under her
and she went down, full length, IN
the pine needles, not ten yards from
the Morgan gate. She was struggling
to her knees crimson with mortitlca-
ton, when Richard reached her.
you're hurt!" he exclaimed, bend
ing down to lift her back to her feet
''It's nothing-I stumbled" she said
sullenly.
He was holding her firmly, support
ing her, and his deep eyes looked
straight into hers.
Good heavens, Nancy, don't hate
me so!" he cried violently.
She pressed her lips determinedly
together, tears Of anger in her eyes.
LET me go" she painted, Il didn't go
lame on pHrpose-I--I'm not throw
ing myself at your head again !"
He let her go out ct his arms as
il she had stung him.
why don't you go them" he asked
her harshly.
She kept her blue eyes fixed on his,
fury leaping up in them like con-
surning fame.
you thought I ran this way on
purposer' she said slowly, Il didn't.
I didn't want to see you--l don't
want to see you at all"
He stood looking at her for mo-
ment, dumb with astonishment, then
something-almost revelation--talade
the blood go 40 hotly into his face.
But he did not move. He was
watching her, his own breath coming
short.
Nancy did not look at him She
tried to walk straight past him to the
path. She did achieve three straight,
firm steps and then vince OF pain
shook her. She wavered, stretched out
a hand involuntarily and caught at
the nearest branch; it saved her from
falling, but her face turned white.
He saw it; the angry lover was
suddenly merged in the doctor. She
was hurt and he could help her. She
had done something to her foot in the
lall. It would take his skill! I'd mend
1t. Without a word, he picked her up
In his arms and carried her up the
long path to his own house.
Don't struggle sol" said Richard
sharply, If you've hurt your ankle,
you'll make it worse I'm gcing to