Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-29

DlaCk eyes were d1lated with excitement,
while Mrs Plume. her blonde hair tumbiing
down her back. her peignoir decidedly
rumpled and her general appearance dishev
eveled. was standing in mid-foor wringing
her jeweled hands. She looks like sixty"
was the doctors inward remark. land is
probably not twenty six
Her first question Jared upon his rugged
senses.
DIR. Graham. when will Mr.. Blakely be
able to see-Or read?'
Not for day or two. The stitches must
heal before the bandages can come of his
eyes, Even then. Mrs. Plume. he should
not be disturbed" was the uncompromising
answer.
rs that wretch. Downs. sober yet?' she
demanded, standing and confronting him.
her whole form quivering with strong, half
suppressed emotion.
THE wretch Is SOLDERING" answered Ora
ham gravely. And now. madame, I'll
trouble you to take chair Do you" with
a glance of grim disfavor. need this girl
for the moment? If not, she might as well
retire"
II need my maid. DR.. Graham. and I told
Major Plume distinctly 1 did not need
you" was the inpuisive reply. as the lady
strove against the calm. masterful grasp
he laid her wrist.
That's as may be. Mrs. Plume. We're
often blind to our best interests. Be seated
a moment. then I'll let you tramp the soles
of your feet off, If you so desire" And so
he practically pulled her into a chair: Elise,
glaring the while. stood spitefully looking
on. The antipathy was mutual
you've slept too little of late Mrs.
Plume" continued the doctor. lucklessly
ly resented. for the lady was on her feet
again.
Sleep! People do nothing but sleep in
this woebegone hole!' she cried. I've
had sleep enough to last a lifetime. What
I want is to wake-wake out Of this horri-
BILE nightmare! DR.. Graham. you are a
friend of Captain Wren's. What under
strength. to assault so sick man as Mr.
Blakely? What possible prete1t could he
assert?' And again she was straining at
her imprisoned hand and seeking to free
herself Graham calmly studying her the
while. as he noted the feverish' pulse. Not
half an hour earlier he had been standing
beside the sick bed of a fair young girl
one sorely weighted now with grave ankle
ties, yet who lay patient and uncomplain-
ing. rarely speaking a word. They had not
told the half of the web of accusation that
now enmeshed her fathers feet. but what
had been revealed to her was more than
enough to Danish every thought OF self OF
suffering and to fill her fond heart with in
slant and loving care for him. No one. not
even Janet, was present during the Inter
view between father and child that fol-
lowed. Graham found him later locked in
his own room. reluctant to admit even him,
and lingering long before he opened the
door; but even then the tear-stains stood on
his furrowed face, and the doctor knew he
the picture of his child-the child he had SO
harshly judged and sentenced. all unheard.
Graham had gone to him. after seeing An
gela, with censure on his tongue. but he
never spoke the words. He saw there was
no longer need.
Let the lassie lie still the day." said he.
with Kate. perhaps. to read to her. Your
sister might not choose a cheering book
Then perhaps Wen have her riding Punch
again tomorrow But Graham did not
smile when meeting Janet by the parlor
door.
He was thinking OF the contrast in these
two, his patients as with professional calm
he studied the troubled features OF the ma
jors wife when the voice Of Sergeant Shan
non was heard in the lower hall. inquiring
for the major. and in an instant Plume had
Joined him. In that instant. too. Elise had
sped, cat-ltke, to the door. and Mrs. Plume
had followed. Possibly for this reason the
major led the sergeant forth upon the
piazza and the conversation took plac> In
tones inaudibie to those within the house
but, in less than minute, the DOCTORS
name was called and Graham went Down.
Look at this" said Plume. They rahed