, 1896-12-15
THE TIME IN PEKIN."

For two Gays the doctors features
had worn an expression Of gravity as
be bent over the bed Of my sick friend,
but now, as l watched him closely. the
strong face relaxed, and as he raised
his head I saw the light Of satisfaction
in his kindly eyes.
His hat, stick and gloves lay on the
dressing case, and as he crossed the
room to take them he marked my look
Of eager inquiry, and, pausing abrupt.
ly. laid his hand o III my shoulder.
"We're doing splendidly. famously,
my dear boy, famously. II literature
fails you, come to me, and I will give
you your credentials as a nurse. Flor
ence Nightingale could not have done
better"
"The worst is over them" I asked.
"Yes. l believe we can pull him
ACKNOWLEDGMENT u.s." He paused, and
as he turned nee more toward his pa
tient his face grew grave again.
II think the crisis is passed" he said
quietly. "All that any mortal physician
can do for him has been done. Nature
alone must supply the only restorative
he needs. He must sleep. 1 have just
given him q sedatiye, and he ought soon
to be under its influence. Keep the light
turned down, and do not allow him to
talk. Sleep is imperative. He must
have sleep"
He stepped lightly to the dressing
case, and as he raised his gloves a dust
covered heap of manuscripts caught his
eye. He chuckled softly and shook his
head.
"Odd people, you Americans" he
said, with q smile. "Is our poor litera-
ture SO impoverished that you must
needs instill Yankee blood /. into its
veins?"
Twas looking at the pale face of poor
Tom and did not reply.
"Ah, WE'LL" said the CHEEKY doctor
as he appropriated his hat and stick and
advanced, with extended hand, 1.-The
fairy voices Of the Bow bells are far
reaching, and I hope that they will one
day ring a. merry changes for two Yam.
kee lads as they did for that fortunate
young beeRar, Dick Wilmington. Good
night. my boy, good night. I'll see you
In the morning. And now, remember"-
He put his finger to his lips. and a
moment later he was gone.
l closed the door gently and returned
10 the bedside Of my friend. His eyes
were cloaed. and. believing that the sed-
ative had already begun its work. I tip
toed to the gas jet and turned down the
light. Then, seating myself before the
CRATE, I r~evitalized the dying embers
and put in two or three moro pieces Of
coal.
: For several minutes all was still,
then I heard . movement among the
bedclothes and . few moments later the
voice Of my sick roommate:
"Hal."
"Yes. Tom"
HAS the doctor gomez"
Eyes, he left just now. You must 60
to sleep. old chap"
There was another movement on the
bed, then all vas still again, and I had
just begun mentally to congratulate the
doctor on the efficacy of his prescription
when I heard my name pronounced.
"What is 1t, TOMB" I asked, little
impatiently.
"What time is it?"
"Half past L."
"In the afternoon?"
eyes"
"What makes it 80 dark"'
cts the fog. Come now, old boy,
you must be quiet. The doctor says you
must have sleep. The worst is over, and
five or six hours If rest will make you
your old self again"
He did not reply at once, but at the
expiration of two or three minutes he
asked:
"What time 10 it in New.York now,
Hair"
"You must stop it. Tom," I COM
manded, but Immediately relenting ]
continued, About half past 49,"
A deep sigh broke the stiffness that
ensued.
..It il Saturday, -. said Tom. "Satur-
day. isn't it' In six hours more the old
crowd will be in the restaurant-in Ma
Inns. I can see them all-old Gaynor.
George Leslie, Barrett and Besa"
CHOW, Tom
GONE here, old chap"
I rose, and. going to the bed. I placed
my fingers ON my friends lips. He took
them in his wasted hand. and as h6 re-
moved them his grasp frightened. and Re
smiled.
can right, Hal I'll be quiet now.
Good night"
/ returned to my chair, and for ten
minutes nothing save the ticking Of the
clock broke the stiffness Of the room.
Then there was once more ~ ominous
movement ON the bed.
''It's funny, isn't it, this difference
In timer" be murmured. "In Chicago
II 10 an hour earlier still"
There WAS . pause.
"sWhat time II IL In San Francisco,
Half''
.tOh, don't know, Tom. About two
Aours earlier, I guess. Why WON'T yoa
% 10 sleepl"
''That would make it about Aah
passe
H paused, but . few moments Later
Ihsasd him muttering 10 himself.
sTopfound IL, old chap" ! began.
was Just trying to figure IL out"
houVent ON. .It takes ~ hours for ehe
wes1A . make > complete revoluticn
3hsrs ~ they begin TO reckon tho time
MvNayf
lsonlden't know. Let'ssea Grean-
STRIKER,