The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-04-10
an eve ON him, VIII you? I must speak

to the conductor"
He addressed nobody IN particular, and
his glance swept the car, but he knew he
could depend on his fellow passengers to
attend TO his request. The young lady
opposite turned an interested, sympa-
thetic face in his direction at once, and
the elder one assumed an alert attitude
and held herself ready for emergencies.
DR.. Royal went forward into thesmok-
ing car. He had assumed control of the
case with constitutional impetuosity,
and now set about ordering it IN accord
ance with his own judgment. The i'm
portant-nay, the imperative-step, to
his mind, was the removal Of his patient,
as speedily as might be, from the jolEng
discomfort of the train to some place
where rest and quiet might be obtained.
He questioned the conductor as to the
capabilities of their next station, and
learned, to his satisfaction, that twenty
minutes would put them in Matoacca,
good sized town among the mountains.
When, however, he announced his de-
termination to remove the sick man to
hotel and stop over with him until his
people could be summoned. the official de-
INJURED and suggested that the patient
himself should be consulted.
'sWhat for97 demanded Royal. Every
mile he travels is another nail IN his
coffin. He's bound TO know that as well
as do. Didn't you say he had been
smashed up? don't know the extent of
the damage yet, but guess it's consider
able: and he has lessened his chances by
this Journey That fellow shall be IN
dressed, overhauled and put to bed be-
fore.two hours have passed, as sure as
nv name is Hart Royal. That's all there
is about 1t. He'll have tough light for
his life anyhow, and a losing fight,
without some help"
The conductor caught at the name.
s.Royal," he repeated; that's the name
on his traps. He was put under my care
special, you know. Are you kin TO one
another
"God knows!' Royal replied, with a
smile 1T isn't at all unlikely, If his
people should be native Virgnians.
Mine came from hereaway, and we
have the same name all through, which
don't seem natural for mere coincidence.
I'll look after him a Bit on the chance
that it may be so. Blood's said to be
thicker than water"
The man still hesitated
ssHe was in the devil of swivet TO get
on he objected. 1T looks sort O mean
to baIk him, without giving him a
show"
Royal struck in imperiously: Some
thing damned sight more serious than
delay is going to happen if he isn't
baked. l ought TO know what Tn
talking about, I reckon. I've been at
the trade long enough TO diagnose a
case" Then he added more IsciGi2;a.ll...- ::
II know what's on your mind 1 heard
what you said to the fellow IN the other
car, and saw the mans badge, too. It's
all right This affair is as much my
business as It's yours, and on the same
ground-more, perhaps, if he joined the
lodge IN Philadelphia. Most 'meds' do"
Then followed certain communications
between the men which resulted in the
complete withdrawal Of the official pro-
test.
..All right, SIR he assented cordially
'.You are the best judge, of course, and,
as you say, it's as much your business
as It's mine. You understand why /
was obliged to hold back at first The
poor fellow seemed SO set on gettiin' on,
and I'd been charged to help him"
Royal nodded. Hes too used up to
be set on anything now" he remarked.
And then he went back into the other
car.