The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-05-19
"But incapable of hurting a fly, now, -

/ observed.
The doctor pursed up his lips and ad
justed his pince-nez. His mannerisms
had begun to irritate me.
us this-er-the Mr.. Burlington, the
author?"
YES"
"Indeed A singularly handsome
man. But this''-he touched lightly
Durlington's indicates a some
what unbalanced mind"
"How long will the coma last?"
II cannot say. Possibly 4S hours
He may come to himself in ten min
utes."
Demetrius drew him aside.
"Are you certain" he whispered. i'm
pressively, that he is absolutely un-
onscious-senseless?
The doctor regarded his questioner
attentively.
THAT is very strange remark, sir. y
81 know the man." Demetrius replied
"He is not malingering," returned the
doctor, with emphasis. "Of course be
must be watched. I'll send respon-
sible nurse. Meantime you can feed
him; but no stimulants. I'll call the
first thing tomorrow. 1 have a most
important case; but send for me, if
necessary"
When the door had closed behind his
portly person 1 turned to Demetrius.
"Why did you ask that question:"
"Mr. Livingston, if you had seen this
mans work at Red Gulch you would
understand. He has the cunning of Il
fiend."
His voice quavered; and his eyes, the
eyes of frightened animal, sunk be-
fore mine. My suspicious swelled to
certainty. The Greek was a coward.
And I, knowing the facts, felt sorry for
him.
Il saw him fall full six feet onto the
back of his head. He ought to be dead
man."
"Yes," the Greek repeated, "he ought
to be dead"
l dismissed him. Presently Miss
Nancy entered the room and seated her
self beside me. To my remonstrance
she turned deaf ear. 1t was already
late, and l told her frankly that she
ought to be in bed.
II shall watch this night with you.
Demetrius has told mamma what the
doctor said about-about the violent
symptoms. You won't have Demetrius,
so you must take me-"
"Demetrius has alarmed your mother
most unnecessarily. l cannot for the
life of me understand"
"a woman" she interrupted. deliber-
ately ignoring my real meaning. "Of
course not. AS for Demetrius, he has
done his duty. I propose to do mine.
You can talk or go to sleep, just as you
please. For my part, I should prefer to
talk. 1t can't hurt the patient. and will
serve to pass the time"
She settled herself, smiling, in the
chair.
THE DOCTOR" she continued, "is an
old woman, but / like him because he
is an optimist. He thinks Mr.. Burling-
ton will get well. Oh, do hope and
pray that this may be so. You see,
feel that Mark was really responsible
for the accident. The poor man must
uuNc SccH ullc DOy . CltChS III lliC SuAN
and followed them out of curiosity into
the cave. Then he naturally wondered
how Mark left the cave, and tried to
f.llow :he same road. And it is so in
teresting to think that he is the Bur-
lington. I've read some of his articles
and one of his books, and I'm ever SO
sorry for him."
"And why?"
Because it's plain-to a woman
that he has been the under dog in the
fight. Not that he ever was whipped"
You are catholic in your tastes" l
observed. "You like the doctor because
he is an optimist, and Burlington be-
cause he writes lot of morbid, ma
terialistic rubbish. know third per-
son who is cultivating wholesome and
cheering style. He, possibly, is out
side the pale of your sympathy"
"He probably doesn't need it,"
He wants an allopathic dose, to be
taken Immediately"
This was true. Flopping about in a
quagmire of perplexity, / realized my
dependence upon others.
go to your goddess" she said.
l had forgotten the goddess, and
smiled.
"Ah, you have had surfeit from
her."
mo, my goddess feels as you do. A
lame dog limping over stile is sight
that never fails to fill her pretty eyes
with tears, but"
lu1 I;rly IL,
sun makes her want to poke him up
with sharp stick Your goddess is i
sensible woman. 1t is not sympathy
your mastiff wants, but a square meal"
"That is very true" l admitted. Un-
der the pressure of circumstances had
missed my dinner. My chance shaft
struck the target. Miss Nancy jumped
energetcally from her chair and fled.
When she returned, n tray, handsomely
garnished, testified to the accuracy of
my aim.
Here" she said, laughing, sis your
bone, poor doggie."
l attacked with vigor some cold
chicken.
''Your mother" said 1. "knows that
you are here?"
"a most violent assumption" she re-
turned, coolly. "My mother, as you
suggested, should be spared all worry.
I'm here on my own responsibility"
"Mr. Gerard will come tomorrow"
"And you think he will be angry. I
can assure you you are mistaken. Mark
is the apple of his fathers eye. He
looks upon me as Vegetable Of no con-