The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-16

Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Pub. Co.
1t has showed for two days necessarily.
Grayson's eyes rested On the scene
thoughtfully. His hands were thrust deep
in his pockets. Occasionally he shivered
with the cold that crept in between the
cracks of the ill-fitting window. The SEN
sation of hunger gnawed at his stom-
ach. The man had eaten nothing since
the day before. Finally he laughed.
m beaten, that's about the size of it,
In hungry and cold [ haven't cent
I've pawned everything 1 possess, yet
am fortified against the world with a
professional profession-God! I'd sell all
l know of it for one good, filling din
Eer.''
1t had been a hopeless, merciless strug-
gle from the beginning, yet in those first
months of misfortune GraysOn had re-
NAMED unbroken in courage Even when
| his father had gone Grayson had risen
stoically above his grief. Once, years be-
fore, Grayson had watched his father
drag himself by the strength OF a stu
pendous will above a heart-breaking de-
spair. 1t appeared unfair then that their
beloved woman was taken away. She had
been SO dear to them both; so necessary
to the very existence they led. Yet prob
ably because of this one fact from the
moment of her death. father and son had
become inseparable.
But now it was the ending of every
| thing-all at a stroke. There was no
longer any future, any hope, any fight,
any chance at all. He was homeless,
friendless, penniless and hungry-fear-
fully hungry.
About 9 o'clock the man fumbled his
way to the table in the center Of the
room and lighted gas jet overhead. Then
he went to his cupboard, getting out the
roll and the tea, handling both cautious
~. He poured some water into a tin
mug, put in the tea leaves and stood
on chair to steep the mixture over the
/ Pickering light.
While the man was drinking his hot
tea without sugar or cream, sopplng the
crusts of the one hard roll every now and
then to make it more palatable, rap
came on his door.
Come in, he cried, rising and look
ing expectantly at the door.
1t was his landlady. stumbling, ungain-
ly, but very sympathetic.
Doctor, it's a call for you, but 1
wouldn't advise you to take it
Grayson listened with eager intentness.
"a call Mrs McIntyre?'
Eyes; sir, but 1 wouldn't take it,
A sudden wave of relief smote the man.
THAT would not be professional. but
why wouldn't you take it?' He could
afford to be curious.
Because, it's from over there"-the
woman jerked her thumb.
For a moment, in spite of himself, a
| queer chill ran up Grayson's spine. set
| Ting itself somewhere in the base Of his
brain. She referred to the house of pre-
| posterous mystery.
lover there?" he repeated slowly.
| Yes, sir; they're in hurry too
"SaV that I will cOme-at once.
Crossing the street was struggle
| literally a hand-to-hand battle with the
storm. Once at the door of the house
the man paused, exhausted and painting.
He was weak from want to food and
| numbed from an all-days chill. After a
moment he Strengthened up and rang the
| bell
The wire grated harshly. Somewhere
| in the distance, like a phantom sound, he
| heard the vibration of striking metal.
When the door was opened Grayson faced
a tall lean, hard-mouthed woman. She
barred the way.
II am the doctor from across the
street, he volunteered.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
'Some one came for me. / understand
my services are needed here"
Grayson's elation was falling.
Before the woman finished a scream
rang through the house, a scream that
rose above the cry of the wind and came
to them a fearful, paralyzing sound. In
the stiffness that succeeded Grayson S
| faded senses arose alert. There was no
longer any hesitation.
Il am needed here. Stand out OF my
way He put his one empty hand on
the womans shoulder, making her stag
ger under the grip. Immediately ne slip
ped into the hail. letting the door fly shut
with jar that shook the house. Before
the last echo died away young girl
| came running toward him. She was palltd
and trembling violently.
''Oh, thank heaven, you are here she
| cried, her words coming with dreadful
| rapidity. Il sent for you because some
thing is the matter. 1 don't know what
I've cnIy been here few days, and sh,
is always strange, but not like this. 1t Il
terrible to watch. She must have help
Please, please, hurry!
! Meanwhile the woman. expressing N