The Coolidge examiner., 1934-12-21
CHAPTER XI--Continu.d

sEa4 aAAe ksAAA AAAAAN Al kNF 1sFtE N p
turned into Matthew ADAM
gnunI and hargare Matthew to be
SURF. but comfortably familiar
sz5stss sz5ts ne strangen~ss Two quick
strides brought him 20 Sancy's bed.
and bending down he lifted ore OF
ker hands gently.
Thank God p" he said. iust like
the white nurse: and then sutici-
patinE the question she was too
weak % ask ~Jack got there. Nan.
~. he reached Bartieits before
We did: but the wires we're down
- Mrs Bartlett couldn't call FOR
help. and her husband Was hunting
cattle IN ths drifts But n Jack
hafn't gone there's no knowing
when we'd have found you. Nancy.
lie VAS al Ia. % course. bui--bui
be vii be al right
This wRs Matrs verdict. not the
doctor'a. nor dld he add that Jack
vas ouly room away. hghtlnE
pneumoula. Tine enough Tor that
knovledge when she vas stronger.
Thea the nurse warned That's
al Tor now. Mr.. Adam and Nancy
opensd her eyes. which had grown
sleepy. and asked. ~The-chH.
crru y
~All safe Matt answered then.
as a cry % pain escaped her. "oh.
Nancy IL q as bad "a thntT'
Il vas very bad. indeed. but with
returning strength came self-con-
trol. ard though there were times
IN the hours 20 come when her face
twitched wiih anguish. DO whimpcr
passed the girls lips again.
Later she woke % find Cousln
Colnmhlne beside her bed.
How do you feel. ehildT The
crisp old voice was shaken with
emotion. Nance scarcely recognized
g.
~How's-Jacky she asked. I'm
stronger than Jack. -
The weak words Jagged. and
Cousin Columblne said quickly
Your brothers making a brave
Eight, child. always said be had
the courage OF a pioneer. And you
have. TOO. Nancy. IL am 50 proud
OF you
Nance said nothing for = little
while. Scenes from those tragic
hours we're crowdlng back
~You were riEht--about the-ihe
weather. Cousin Colnmhlne." she
admitted IN a curious. small voice
And then. tear slipping from be-
meath her lsshcs: Il wlsh :"
What DO you wish. deary' asked
the old lady. bending closer.
Nance tried 20 smile. but found
herself too spent to manage II. I'm
enly "a little homesick." she ac-
snowledged.
A nurse came In Just then with n
strange doctor: and Cousin Colum.
blne went out They looked az her
legs. and brought another doctor 70
book ~ them. Nance wondered
what they were thinking. but was
teo tired to ask and dropped asleep
before they left the room.
II was nigh; when she opened
her eyes again. A dim light burned.
and different nurse wRs there. and
a new doctor. No. Il wasn't a doc.
tor. Nance saw after n moment. II
was Just Matt Adam. She heard the
woman SAY 20 tell Miss Nelson that
her niece was sleeping. and that
after a consultation the doctors
felt that, after all. she wouldn't
cse her feet.
Now how In the world. mused
Nancy. only half awake. could you
lose your feet even II you wanted
to- That nurse was crazy. She
spoke as II your feet could be mis-
laid Ike a pair OF gloves or a pOck.
ethook or something's The Idea made
her almost laugh. Then, realizing
that Matthew was about 10 leave
= wave OF homesl=kness swept over
her again. and she protested.
Don't 90. Matt,"
Again the unexpected voice
startled her nurse: but Matthew
came close. and stood there looking
down at her. Then some one turned
up a light.
"Betterf" His voice was heavy
with fatigue and long anxiety.
Nance nodded.
~Where's-Cousin ColumblneT"
"In bed. It's pretty late. she's
staying down here to keep an eye
on you
~And-Jack
There was noticeable pause be-
fore Matt answered steadily: Don't
worry about Jack. Nancy. That kids
the dandiest fighter you ever saw -
The nurse turned at this. and 20
Ing TO q window. did something un-
necessary TO the curtain: while Mat
thew. bending down. said quietly :
~Is there anything I can do before
60. Nance?"
You're so tired. Matt she an
Ewered with srreievance.
lie smiled ai that and didn't look
so tired after all; but the girl said :
You won't drive up the pass to-
night. viii you? Promise you won't
or-or I'll worry"