Part 3 (1/2)

”Mr Bush? No What about hi brought to her attention at every turn She desired nothing so nore his existence

”'E was 'urt shockin' bad this awft'noon,” Mrs Stout related ”Out 'orseback ridin', and 'is 'orse ran aith 'im, and fell on 'im

Fell all of a 'eap, they say Terrible--terrible! The pore man isn't expected to live 'Is back's broke, they say W'at a pity! Shockin'

accident, indeed”

Miss Weir voiced perfunctory sy that she was an employee of the firm--or had been lately But close upon that she escaped to her own roo Mr Andrew Bush Hazel lacked nothing of womanly sympathy, but he had forfeited that fro after she went to bed She was not at all vindictive, and his misfortune, the fact--if the report were true--that he was facing his end, stirred her pity She could guess that he would suffersavoring of extinction And she reflected that his love for her was very likely gone by the board now that he was elected to go the way of all flesh

The report of his injury was verified in theit had pretty well passed out of Hazel's mind She had more pleasant concerns Jack Barrow dropped in about six-thirty to ask if she wanted to go with hi in the parlor, by a front , chattering to each other, but not so engrossed that they failed to notice a carriage drawn by two splendid grays pull up at the front gate The footot down and cae She had seen Mr Andrew Bush abroad in it many a time She wondered if there was some further annoyance in store for her, and frowned at the prospect

She heard Mrs Stout answer the bell in person There was a low mumble of voices Then the landlady appeared in the parlor doorway, the footman behind her

”This is the lady” Mrs Stout indicated Hazel ”A e for you, Miss Weir”

The liveried person bowed and extended an envelope ”I was instructed to deliver this to you personally,” he said, and lingered as if he looked for further instructions

Hazel looked at the envelope She could not understand why, under the circuh such a lanced up Mrs Stout gazed past the footman with an air of frank anticipation Jack also was looking But the landlady caught Hazel's glance and backed out the door, and Hazel opened the letter

The note was brief and to the point:

MISS WEIR: Mr Bush, being seriously injured and unable to write, bids me say that he is very anxious to see you He sends his carriage to convey you here His physicians fear that he will not survive the night, hence he begs of you to co

”The idea! Of course I won't! I wouldn't think of such a thing!”

Hazel exclaimed

”Just a second,” she said to the footman

Over on the parlor mantel lay some sheets of paper and envelopes She borrowed a pencil from Barrow and scribbled a brief refusal The footman departed with her answer Hazel turned to find Jack staring his puzzlement

”What did he want?” Barrow asked bluntly ”That was the Bush turnout, wasn't it?”

”You heard about Mr Bush getting hurt, didn't you?” she inquired

”Saw it in the paper Why?”

”Nothing, except that he is supposed to be dying--and he wanted to see me At least--well, read the note,” Hazel answered

Barrow glanced over the missive and frowned

”What do you suppose he wanted to see you for?” he asked