The San Francisco call., 1905-04-16

He held out the missive from the
6alon- Halstead took it, shook 1t, and
held 1t to the light.
"A rejection" he said Poor chapt
how is he going to take it?'
He isn't going to take it at ALL"
said Marshall with decision. II tell
You he's got to have that picture in.
Inc doctor says there is hardly a
cnance OF his getting well. and the
only thing that keeps him up is his
eagerness about this: but if he's dis
appointed he'll go. Like enough he'll
about this"
HOW are you going to manage,
tnough?" objected Halstead. You
can get the picture into the Salon
IN the race of the committee"
lou We got your acceptance and
tlcket, haven't you? Well, let me
nave them, and I'll fix it, said Mar
Halstead produced the papers and
Marshall extended webster's letter
over the steaming tea kettle.
All nour later the envelope re-
stamped and inclosing a different mes
sage, dropped into the nearest hoy
Inc next morning, when they en-
si1is .erSu Weosters room. he hailed them
with smile. See here" he cried
holding up a letter. This came inst
now; l know you'll be giadrs His
Wnole face beamed with iov. Tho
Irlends read. and broke into eager
congratulate
The most cheering anticipations OF
success Will not stop the progress -
fever. Webster grew steadilv Tro-.s %
Often he seemed unconscious OF al
ABOUT him and lay staring at the cell
ing. but he always liked to keen the
notlce or acceptance under his head
vanishing day came, and found him
Tar too i'll to think of going, and at
iast the doctor shook his head and said
he feared the patient would not LAST
twenty-four hours.
The chums took turns to sit with
MIN, but as the day wore on MarshaU
refused to give up his place. and the
two settled down for the night. The
soft dusk of Paris evening began 10
fall around them. Webster seemed
asleep. and they kept silence, watch
ing the sky changing from the green
tsh reflections behind the dome or the
Pantheon to the warm darkness Of a
spring night. Marshall rose and liz the
lamp, shading the light from the sick
mans eyes.
Suddenly Webster began to speak I'm
SOFT. even voice. NO" he said. Pm
glad L came. 1t was worth while, and
now my pictures in They can't saw.
= IN
he turned his head Marshall" he
said
Yes. old man"
you'll write and tell mother All
about 1T. and about the picture. Won
know, and say / tried to make the
money go as far as L could. There'u
De enough to bury me, / think"
"Oh. that's all right, old man: Won
mustn't talk like that You're going
10 get we'll and paint a lot more pic
lures"
No. I'm not. and I'm sorter glad.
too Maybe / couldn't have done an
other so good-another good enough
10 get into the Salon. You've both
been real kind. i used to look at YOU
In Julian's and wish / was a big.
strong man like YOU I used to think
you were a dude" he added to Hal
stead. I'm sorry
He sank off into Inconsistencies.
The night wore on. Through the half
open window came the occasional
sound OF footsteps and the still less
frequent rattle of wheels Suddenly
voice in the street broke the silence.
singing. The noise reused Webster,
who started
"Air!' he cried. ST want air."
Marshall lifted him. while Halstead
threw the window wide.
Pray" said webster family.
wv 4AACA CACudu5SQ a WliQ
glance.
You began Halstead. Il don't
know
Il tell you, you've got to pray.''
Missed Marshall. Anything will do.
only be quick about it,
Halstead dropped on his knees. and
in a shaking voice began, Our
Father" He ended with a sob and
buried his face in the coarse blanket.
his shoulders working
"More." gasDed the dying voice.
go on" commanded Marshall.
Vague recollections of church SER
vice long unheard and half forgotten
passed through Halstead's mind. and
sentence after sentence rose discon-
nectedly to his lips like bubbles in a
champagne glass. Webster was fight
ing for breath in MarshalPs arms.
Suddenly the struggle ceased. he lay
STILL Then, turning, he looked into
the face bent down to his.
HomeWard bound! he said family.