Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-04-03

| started up. l was too preoccupied
TO notice the stand beside me covered
with books. with which | had vainly
tried to alleviate my confinement, and
struck my arm at the very spot where
| had been wounded.
\ SILVER passed over the father; the
daughter gave an involuntary start.
My coat, which had been thrown loose
ly over my shoulder, had become dis
arranged. exposing the arm, upon
which every eye was turned. Both Mr..
Stanforth and Helen bent forward in
tently. We were congratulating our
selves that no damage had been done
when on the white shirt sleeve ap-
pcarcd spot of bright red blood.
jackson, run! The doctor! Quick!
Tell him the wound has opened!
l sank back on the sofa. Mr.. STAN
forth began running about wildly; Mrs.
Stanforth entered In wonder; the serv-
ants flocked in with open eyes and
mouths.
Papa, your handkerchief"
Helen Stanforth spoke the words rs
coolly as If she had been an experienced
surgeon. With her fathers handker-
chief she improvised tourniquet, and
the bleeding stopped at once.
Now, see here" said the doctor when
he had arrived and repaired the dam
age. you've had close call, sir. Per-
haps you'll pay some attention here
after to what tell you. SIR"
"Next time. DOCTOR" l said feebly,
"let me go. My life is of little moment
to me-"
As spoke Helen, who had gone out
Of the room for something, returned.
"Ah, Miss Stanforth," said the doc
tor, Il will leave the patient in your
care. You seem to be always on hand
when he needs you and to know exact
ly what to do. Let the others keep
away"
II wnA relieve you. DOCTOR" she said
quietly.
The doctor gathered up his belong
ings and left the room, leaving Helen
standing looking at me with certain
curious earnestness that l could not
interpret. AS she had been the indirect
cause Of my mishap, l naturally ex-
pccted she would refer to it, perhaps
express some regret. She was think
ing Of an entirely different matter.
"Why is your life Of little moment 10
you" she asked.
"You overheard?"
Eyes"
"You have a right to require me to
disclose my affiliations In the great
struggle In which we are involved, but
my private griefs'-
II ask your pardon" There was no
regret expressed. 1t was simply a well
bred way Of noticing that she had fail
ed to elicit the information she desired.
Il should have got ON well enough"
I continued, If that COMPOUNDED stand
had not been in the way. l believe I
could go now just as well as not"
paused. was very weak. MAY
ask you to hand me that glassT l add
ed, looking at q tumbler containing
brandy.
Without noticing the proof of my in
ability to do as asserted she handed
me the glass and when had taken a
swallow put it back on the table. Her
GOODNESS was beginning to irritate me.
Il have a mind to get up and go on"
said. II don't believe there Is any
danger"
"What did the doctor say"
"He told me to keep quiet Us I val
ued my life"
"You don't value your life; therefore
you will get up and go on-in other
words, commit suicide"
"You know very well that 1t gals me
to be obliged to impose upon n family
that has loaded me with kindness with.
out declaring my Identity"
''Then why not declare itT'
Because 1t doesn't suit my plans to
do So"
was acting ungraciously, recklessly,
and l knew 1t, but l was in no condi-
ton to fence with this cool creature.
Shall leave you" she asked, with
out appearing at all offended.
IL don't need your attention"
"You need some ones attention. I
will have Jackson sit In the hall, where
he can hear you II you ring" And she
walked out Of the room.
ITO b Co'ittnur4l