Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-18

Tell Ciesnency and her mother not 70
worry II they are awake" Gordon called
to James as the horses started.
James said yes and went into the house.
He entered through the office door. and de
rectly Clernency was in his arms. all
trembling and half weeping. ''Oh. what
has happened? Has Uncle Tom taken him
awayr she quavered.
Hush. dear. you will wake your mother.
Yes, he has taken him away"
What was the matter, tell me-
He was unconscious. He had fallen"
He came to. ! heard him speak. Were
any bones brokeny'
No. 1 think not You must go to bed,
II Is very late dear"
Ciemency had put fresh wood on the
hearth. and the little place was all a-waver
and a-flicker with freight. Grotesqus
shadows danced over the walls and ceiling
and sprawled uncertainty on the floor.
Clemency looked up I'm James face. and
her own had a shocked Wilderness and hor-
ror. in spite of the tenderness in his.
Tell" she began.
What dear?"
WAS it-that many'
James hesitated
Tell me-" Clemency said imperiously.
Yes, think IL was"
Clemency glanced as IL instinctively at
the dog. lying asleep in a white coil
the hearth. what was the matter with
him?" she asked In hardly audible
voice.
He had fallen. dear. and was uncon-
Nothing Clemency glanced again at
t the dog and did not complete her Ques-
He had recovered consciousness" James
said hastily.
Then he is not going to die" 1t was
impossible to say what kind of relief was
In the girls voice, but relief there was
see no reason why he should. I don't
think your uncle thought he would die
Where have they taken him?'
ITO the hotel. Now. Clemency, dear you
must put all this out of your mind and
go to bed"
Clemency obeyed like a child She kissed
James, took a candle and went upstairs.
James went into his own ROOM but no
did not undress or go to bed Instead, no
sat at the window facing the street and
stared into the darkness. watching for
Doctor Gordcns return. He sat there for
nearly two hours, then he heard wheels.
and saw the dark mass of the team and
wagon lumber into sight. He ran through
tho house, and was in the drive with a
lantern when the team entered. Have you
been waiting for us. Elliott" called Doctor
Gordon's tired voice.
Yes, 1 thought would
II stayed until I was he was com-
Portable" said Gordon He clambered over
the wheel Of the wagon like an old man.
When he was in the office with James. and
the lamp was lit he sank into a chair, and
looked at the younger man with an express
sion almost of despair.
He is not going to die of tt?" asked
James hesitstingly.
NO, crieu GOrdOn, ne snail nOt!' He
looked up with sudden, fierce resolution and
alertness. why should he die?'' he de-
manded. He is far from being old or
feeble. His vitals are not touched. Why
on earth should you think ne would d.e?"
Il see no reason James replied hastily,
"only-"
only what, for Gods sake?"
Il thought you looked discouraged"
well. l am, and tired of the world.
but this man is going to live. See here.
boy. suppose you see IL there is any hot
water in the kitchen, and we'N have some
thing to drink, then will go to bed.
and God grant We don't have a night
call"
After Gordon had drank. his face light
ened somewhat, still he looked years older
than he had done at dinner time with
that awful aging OF the soul, which some-
times comes In an instant. When finally
he went upstairs James noticed how feebIyi
he moved. 1t was on his tongues end to
oner to assist him, but he did rot dare.
CTo be continued tomorrow.) +