The Two-Gun Man | Page 9

injured foot in her lap, and she had just
finished bandaging it. Beside her on the porch floor was a small black
medicine case, a sponge, some yards of white cloth, and a tin wash
basin partly filled with water.
He had a hazy recollection of the young woman; he knew it must have
been she that he had seen when he had ridden up to the porch. He also
had a slight remembrance of having spoken to her, but what the words
were he could not recall. He stretched himself painfully. The foot
pained frightfully, and his face felt hot and feverish; he was woefully
weak and his nerves were tingling--but he was alive.
The girl looked up at his movement. Her lips opened and she held up a
warning hand.
"You are to be very quiet," she admonished.
He smiled weakly and obeyed her, leaning back, his gaze on the

slate-blue of the sky. She still worked at the foot, fastening the bandage;
he could feel her fingers as they passed lightly over it. He did not move,
feeling a deep contentment.
Presently she arose, placed the foot gently down, and entered the house.
With closed eyes he lay in the chair, listening to her step as she walked
about in the house. He lay there a long time, and when he opened his
eyes again he knew that he must have been asleep, for the night had
come and a big yellow moon was rising over a rim of distant hills.
Turning his head slightly, he saw the interior of one of the rooms of the
cabin--the kitchen, for he saw a stove and some kettles and pans
hanging on the wall and near the window a table, over which was
spread a cloth. A small kerosene lamp stood in the center of the table,
its rays glimmering weakly through the window. He raised one hand
and passed it over his forehead. There was still some fever, but he felt
decidedly better than when he had awakened the first time.
Presently he heard a light step and became aware of some one standing
near him. He knew it was the girl, even before she spoke, for he had
caught the rustle of her dress.
"Are you awake," she questioned.
"Why, yes, ma'am," he returned. He turned to look at her, but in the
darkness he could not see her face.
"Do you feel like eating anything?" she asked.
He grinned ruefully in the darkness. "I couldn't say that I'm exactly
yearnin' for grub," he returned, "though I ain't done any eatin' since
mornin'. I reckon a rattler's bite ain't considered to help a man's appetite
any."
He heard her laugh softly. "No," she returned; "I wouldn't recommend
it."
He tried again to see her, but could not, and so he relaxed and turned
his gaze on the sky. But presently he felt her hand on his shoulder, and

then her voice, as she spoke firmly.
"You can't lie here all night," she said. "You would be worse in the
morning. And it is impossible for you to travel to-night. I am going to
help you to get into the house. You can lean your weight on my
shoulder."
He struggled to an erect position and made out her slender figure in the
dim light from the window. He would have been afraid of crushing her
could he have been induced to accept her advice. He got to his
uninjured foot and began to hop toward the door, but she was beside
him instantly protesting.
"Stop!" she commanded firmly. "If you do that it will be the worse for
you. Put your hand on my shoulder!"
In the darkness he could see her eyes flash with determination, and so
without further objection he placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, and
in this manner they made their way through the door and into the cabin.
Once inside the door he halted, blinking at the light and undecided. But
she promptly led him toward another door, into a room containing a
bed. She led him to the bedside and stood near him after he had sunk
down upon it.
"You are to sleep here to-night," she said. "To-morrow, if you are
considerably better, I may allow you to travel." She went out, returning
immediately with a small bottle containing medicine. "If you feel worse
during the night," she directed, "you must take a spoonful from that
bottle. If you think you need anything else, don't hesitate to call. I shall
be in the next room."
He started to voice his thanks, but she cut him short with a laugh.
"Good-night," she said. Then she went out and closed the door after
her.
He awoke several times during the night and each