San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-29
Ten Minutes to TW6IV6.
By Ii. G, MCLELLAND.

copyright by American Press .Asssociatinn-l
He slouched forward, with CT arms on
the back of DR.. Royals seat, and glanced
curiously at the sick man.
Pretty bad off. your friend thar,
reckon" he suggested cheerfully.
My stranger, you mean. Yes, he's
a bit shaky. He's been overtaxing his
strength, but he'll be better presently
with professional mendacity in the pres
ence of the patient. ''Some of you keep
an eye on him, will you? must speak
to the conductor"
He addressed nobody in particular, and
lis 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 the smok
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 jolting
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, a
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
What fOr?" 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? l don't know the extent of
the damage yet, but l guess it's consider
able; ana he has leSseaed his chances by
this journey. That fellow shall be I'M
dressed, overhauled and put to bed be-
foretwo hours have passed, as sure as
my name is Hart Royal. That's all there
is about it. He'll have d tough fight for
his life anyhow, and a losing fight,
without some help"
The conductor caught at the name.
Royal" he repeated; that's the name
on his traps. He was put under my care
special, you know. Are you kin to one
anotherF'
God knows!" Royal replied, with
smile. at isn't at all unlikely, if his
people should be native Virginians,
Mine came from hareaway, and we
have the same name all through, witch
don't seem natural for mere coincidence.
Iii 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.
He was in the devil of swivel to get
on" be objected 1T looks sort O mean
to balk him, without giving him
show"
Royal struck in imperiously Some
thing damned sight more serious than
delay is going to happen if he isn't
baked. | ought h NOW what I'm
talking about, reckon. I've been at
the trade long enough to diagnose a
case" Then he added more pacifcally:
Il know what's on your mind. heard
what you sail 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 raen which resulted in the
complete withdrawal of the official pro
test.
"All right. sir" I've 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 fel..v seemed 50 set on gettin' on.
and I'd hen charge ~ holp him"
Royal nodded. Hes too used up to
be set on anything now" he remarked.
And then he went back into the other
car.
DTED IT