Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-02

| ter of pony hoofs was heard and he went
| into the hall to open the doors. Two horse.
men were just turning into the corral. Sax
ton had found the one doctor of the village
| at home-a young man trained in an east
ern hospital, out already used to long,
| rough rides over the prairies. The two mon
their ponies run loose. Saxton did not
speak to Wheaton, who followed him and
the doctor into the house.
Has he been conscious at all?" asked the
doctor.
The bishop shook his head. The doctor
was already busy with the examina-
ton, and the three men stood and watch.
ed him silently. Saxton stepped for
ward and helped. when there was need, to
turn the wounded man and to strip away his
clothing The skilled fingers Of the surgeon
worked swiftly, producing shining instru-
ments and sponges as he needed them,
from the blue lining of his pea Jacket.
Suddenly he paused and bent down close
to the stricken mans heart. He poured
more brandy into the silver cup and Sax
ton lifted Wary while the liquor was Fore
ed between his lips. The doctor stood up
then and put his finger on Raridan's wrist.
He had not spoken and his face was very
grave. Saxton touched his arm.
us there nothing moro you can do nowe"
The doctor shook his head. but bent again
over Rarfdan. who gave a deep sigh and
opened his eyes
John" he said in a whisper, al he closed
them again YEARLY. The doctor put War
rvs hand down gently. and the others, at
q glance from MIN, drew nearer.
John" he repeated. His voice was
stronger. The white light of dawn was
struggling now against tho fame Of the
fireplace. John stood on one side OF the
table. the doctor on the other. The old
bishops tall figure rose majestically by the
head OF the dying man. Wheaton alone
hung aloof, but his eyes were riveted Oh |
Wary Raridans face.
1T was another-another Of my foolish /:
chances. said Wary family and slowly. !
the words coming hard: but all in the room
could hear. He looked from one to an
other. and seemed to know who the doctor
was and why he was there.
The boys safe and well We got what /
we came for Just once-just once-I got |
what l came for. 1t wasn't fair-in the !
dark that way His voice failed and
the doctor gave him more brandy He lap
very still for several minutes, with hip !
eyes closed, while the three men stood an
they had been. save that the surgeon now
kept his finger on Warry's wrist.
Il never-quite arrived quite-arrived."
he went on. with his eyes on the old bishop,
as II this were something that he would
that" He smiled In patient. tired way. y
You have been a good man. Wary,
there's nothing that can trouble you.''
II was really doing better. wasn't l.
heIped-you two''-he looked from his younei
friend to the older one. with the intentneea
of his near-sighted gaze. Tell them"--l
his eyes closed and his voice sank until IL
-Evelyn-the light of all-of all--the year.
The doctor had put down Warry's wrist
and turned awAy. The dawn-wind sweep;
ing across the prairie shook the windows
in the room and moaned far away In the
lonely house. The bishops great hand
rested gently on the dying mans head: his
voice rose In supplication-the words com
ing slowly, as IL he remembered them from
a far-off time:
unto Gods gracious mercy and pro-
lection we commit thee, ASaxton dropped
to his knees, and sob broke from him.
1.-THE Lord bless thee and keep thee TIE
Lord make his face to shine upon thee.
and be gracious unto thee" The old mans
voice was very low, and sank to whis-
per. ssThe Lord lift up his countenance
upon thee and give thee peace. both now
and evermore. &
No one moved until the doctor put his
head down to Warry's heart to listen. Then
Wheaton watched him with fascinated eyes
as he gathered up his Instruments, which
shone cold and bright In the gray light of
the morning.
(To be continued Monday