Part 55 (1/2)

”He only caot there this afternoon Joe's arm is broken Two of his ribs are stove in He's bruised and battered all over Mr Auld says the hole in his forehead is the serious one Thinks you hed But Rita was still all seriousness

”He'll pull through all right Minister says he'll be out in two or three weeks Says it's a ot back to Caine and steered all the way himself, and him smashed up as he was Funny he didn't come over home Guess he didn't want any of us to know about it

”They found his boat run up on the beach at Caine of his boat still going full speed

”Joe was delirious and un, Bree,--ood to them when they're down and out But none of them has much sympathy for him this ti you up ever since you came to Golden Crescent And now, Joe's the man that's done up

”Better for him if he had let you be

”But,that ever happened,--for Joe, I ; that there never was a strong e”

Rita's oing to run away So there

”I'han I can get money,--all I want Then e? Say you won't!”

She put her arainstway

Dear little woman! It was a shame to have worried her as Joe and I had done

”Well, Rita,” I laughed, ”I proht if Joe won't

And, anyway,--Joe is not likely to seek another encounter till his arm and ribs are well; and that will take six weeks all told So don't worry yourself anyto happen six weeks hence”

As Rita started out for home, I rose to accompany her to the boat

”No, no!” she cried ”Why!--you are under doctor's orders”

”I have to work to-ht as well try myself out now, as later”

I was shaky at the knees, but, with Rita's ared to ot to her boat, Rita pouted

”What's the matter now, little maid?” I asked

”I don't think you likethis on you And we've been pretty good pals too, you and I”

Her eyes commenced to fill