The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-02-24
ORACKUP
| ,ASTAWAYS
Continued from Page 81
BY PRISCILLA WAYNE

thank you enough. Peter. Some
how think as you do. that Il
surely must have been meant to
be This strange experience, your
coming here. our meeting"
Il love YOU DR.. Leonard said
again. with all my heart know
this was meant to be
Doris went over to the window.
A ray of sunshine filtered through
the grimy glass. And standing
close to the window Doris could
see that outside seemed fair and
warmer.
The weather man at home
would say fair and warmer for
today" she laughed. How much
warmer do you think 1t really is ,"
Probably 80 below DR.. Leon
ard laughed, "ss compared with
so yesterday. But when the wind
stops bowling down from the
north IL makes a lot of difference.
I'm going TO the lake and bring
in some ice to melt" he continued.
When Mark wakes up I'll bet
you he'll be willing enough to eat
his breakfast"
Doris remembered that state
ment afterwards because Mark
was not only willing TO eat his
breakfast, he was considerably
more than willing.
Strong Voice
Doris was frying bacon at the
stove when she heard his voice,
and she turned to laugh aloud in
sheer delight and relief at what
he said. He called in a strong and
determined voice, when do we
eat ?"
Doris laughed aloud at that. In
just about two shakes, as soon as
your doctor gets back form the
lake where he's gone to get ice.
Did you know you had a doctor,
Mark ?"
Yes, I did know Mark de-
clared. Il didn't know when he
got here and don't know such a
lot about him right now, but the
last two or three nights I've got
pretty well acquainted with that
doctor of mine. He's all right, and
don't you doubt it for a single
cockeyed second"
Doris was over at Marks side.
delightedly holding his hand.
Mark, you're getting well. Your
eyes are bright and clear and your
voice is just about a sstrong as
when you bawled me out up there
in the plane"
Where's Steve ?" Mark asked.
Hes gone for help across the
lake. The lake is frozen over and
Steve thought there might be a
settlement across the lake. When
we found this cabin and moved in
we had food and it was easier to
keep warm. Steve knew he could
leave u.s."
Has he been gone too long?
Are you sure nothing has hap
pened to him ?"
Nothing Wrong
Nothing has happened to
Steve" Doris said with determi-
nation. She meant exactly what
she said because she knew that il
anything had happened to Steve
life wouldn't mean anything more
to her. Nothing wrong dared hap
pen TO Steve.
Doris, tell me how bad things
are"
How bad, Mark? I don't I'M
derstnd." Doris knew perfectly
well what he meant. She was try
ing to evade saying anything that
would be shock to him.
Don't try to put me off," Mark
said. Il know that the doctor op-
Grated on me. know he did an
amputation. but can't tell what
he did. Did he take off both
legs ?"
"Oh, no." Doris said with relief,
glad that she could nswer that
question with the absolute truth.
Did he take off one"
Doris nodded. Just below the
knee, Mark" she explained has
tily, hardly knowing how to lessen
the shock.
ut wasn't nearly as bad as he
was afraid il would be. You can
have an artificial foot. You can
walk even without a limp, the
doctor says. Why, you can even
dance
Mark shut his eyes quickly. Its
o. X, Doris he said presently. 1T
means I'm going to stick around
this charming world a while long
er. and I'm glad of that.
What's one foot more or lessy
I'm not going to worry. I'll Just
be glad I'm here.
And, Doris, I'm glad I found
you. I'm glad I found the real you.
That was worth going through
any experience, Doris, because the
other night when you kissed me
/ realized how much you mean to
me"
Ito Be Continued)
II you're not using it, sell 1t with