Rod of the Lone Patrol Part 15

"Sure. I never thought of scaring you. I only wanted to do a good turn, that's all."

"But what did you say such things about my nose for, tell me that?"

"Why, did you hear me? I thought you didn't know anything."

"Then you were mistaken. I heard and knew more than you imagined."

"The men thought that you were almost dead, Miss Arabella, and they felt very bad."

"Did they?" the woman questioned, and her voice was softer than usual.

Then she remained silent for a few seconds, looking absently before her. "See here, Rod," and she smiled upon the boy for the first time in her life, "I will forgive you for what you said about my nose if you will tell me something."

"What is it?"

"You remember that fine looking man, with the blue eyes, and hair streaked with grey."

"Can't say that I do, Miss Arabella."

"He was the one who held me in his arms while you dropped that horrid key down my neck."

"Oh, yes, I know now."

"Well, Rod, do you think he cared much that I was hurt?"

"Yes, I think he did."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. He looked awful scared when you tumbled into the ditch."

"Ah, I knew it," and the invalid closed her eyes, while a smile overspread her face. "I felt from the first that he cared," she murmured.

Then she lay so perfectly still that Rod thought she had fainted. He stepped to her side, and touched her hand.

"Miss Arabella," he began, "have you fainted?"

"Oh, I thought that he was standing by my side," she simpered. "I must have been dreaming."

"No, it's only me, and I would like to have the key. They can't have the wedding till I get back."

"What wedding?" and the invalid sat suddenly bolt upright.

"Why, Bill Stebbins and Susie Sanders want to get married, and they can't get into the church 'cos you have the key down your neck."

"A wedding! What thoughts of bliss come to my mind at that word," and Miss Arabella clasped her hands, while her eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

Rod was now becoming very impatient. He thought of the crowd waiting before the rectory, and Parson Dan's anxiety.

"The key, Miss Arabella," he insisted. "Will you please----"

"And you think he cared?" the woman interrupted.

"Yes. But, Miss----"

"And did he look at me much with those splendid blue eyes?"

"I think he did, Miss Arabella. But will you please give me the key.

They are waiting----"

"And do you think he will come back, Rod? He said that he would return soon. But men are so fickle."

A new idea suddenly shot into Rod's mind.

"Give me the key, Miss Arabella, and I will go after that man. It will be my good turn."

"Oh, will you?" and the woman's face lighted up with joy. "Don't tell him that I sent you."

"No, I won't. But the key, where is it? If it's down your neck, I'll go out of the room until you find it."

"And you will hurry, Rod?"

"Yes, yes, but----"

"And you think you can find him?"

"I'll try if you'll give me the key, Miss Arabella. But if you keep me waiting any longer I won't go one step."

"Well, it's on that shelf over there. Take it, and hurry."

Rod wasted no time. He sprang for the key, seized it, and darted out of the room. Over the field he sped as fast as his nimble feet would carry him, and never paused until he had handed it to the anxiously waiting clergyman.

Having performed this task, Rod turned his attention to Miss Arabella's "man." The wedding was of little interest to him, so he strolled down the road with not the least idea how he was going to bring back that man with the "splendid blue eyes." With hands thrust deep into his pockets he walked along whistling a merry tune. His mind was really upon Whyn, and the book he had left at the Anchorage. He would much rather have gone back there, but he knew that he must do his duty to the love-sick woman first.

He had not gone very far ere he saw a man coming toward him, leading a horse, which he knew to be the one which had run away. He recognised the man, and he was overjoyed at seeing him.

"h.e.l.lo! Have you come to give a hand?" the man accosted as he drew near.

"Yes, sir. I was looking for you," Rod replied, as he walked along by the man's side.

"Thought I had run away with the horse, did you? Well, we had a hard chase, but found her at last, with the wagon all smashed to bits. We tried to lead the horse behind the car, but couldn't get her anywhere near it, so I had to foot it the whole way."

"Miss Arabella will be glad to see you, sir."

"Will she, eh? I suppose there'll be the Old Harry to pay. You said something about her tongue, didn't you? I expect to know more of it shortly."

"Oh, she won't scold you, sir. She thinks a lot of you."

"Of me?"