Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-08

had not cared. He pulled himself together,
and d. opped from the rail- stapleton's voice
was lower. He always grew weaker along
about daybreak. II he lasted two days or
three she could get there In time. There
was really no use to send. She could do no
good. 1t was simply Ssapleton's right TO
have her there, and she would want to
come. He was merely the man to send the
message.
1t was after II when he rode into
Santa Ana. 1t was not a pleasure trip.
The horse tumbled over in half hour,
and Bosworth went back on a new one,
but the message. to Palm Beach was sent.
She couldn't catch any regular steamers,
he knew. Old w. K Marshall would have
to stand for i yacht, but he knew she would
come.
At first he had thought he would wait.
AS matter of good form, it was his duty
to meet her, and take her to the house up
on the slope of the tired volcano, but he
knew in his heart it was not merely duty.
He was starved for even glimpse of her.
But the second night he had made up his
mind. 1t was a little after when he rode
up to the doctors and climbed the veranda
steps. Stapleton would be asleep. He
would say goodbye and slip away quietly
from the joy of the two.
The doctor met him at the head of the
steps.
She's in there" he said. THE boat got
in an hour ago: The queer part is that he
knows her and is quiet If he sleeps to-
night, he will pull through
VIII he? BosWorth spoke duly. He
stood still where the doctor left him, star
ing at the screen door of Stapletons room.
The one thought that whirled through his
mind was that she was there, few feet
from him. and he must not see her. And
while he stood the door opened and Helen
came out, soft-footed and ,dream-like in the
twilight dusk
doctor, wait a moment" She came Gi-
rectiy toward him, and Bosworth could not
sur. AS their eyes met, she stopped short,
her lips parted, her face uplfted with the
old, glad welcome he knew so well.
You" She stretched out her hands to
him. her voice tell-tale with emotion.
TOM
He stood erect. his hands clenched at his
sides, and looked beyond her at the screen
door.
I'm glad you came at once. He will get
well now
of course he will! He must for Nell's
sake. She let her hands fall in surprise.
we had to come at once. She wou,sin t
wait a day. Mother and father and incl :
Howard came too, and they are to be mar
ried tomorrow"
"Who?' Bosworth's voice was blunt ar d
harsh.
why, Nell and Mr.. Stapleton. You know
her. my little artist cousin. Nell. 1t was
her picture that-that brought US together"
This very softly.
He called her Helen" This a in q daze.
1--WE are both called Helen Marshall"
He shut his eyes for an instant. 1t was
hard to stand steady with world of eight
mare dreams falling to nothingness around
him.
Tom"
He opened his eyes. She was smiling, ard
her eyes We're tender with an understanding
of his trouble.
Aren't you sorry?"
1t was wonderfully quiet on the veran Ia.
The doctor came back up the steps, whis-
ting softly to himself and passed through
the screen door to where Stapleton lay,
easy and happy and asleep, with the hand
of his little bride-elect resting on his tired
head.
And the two out among the shadows on
the Veranda laughed. Life was mighty
sweet at Hualtepec