Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

old woman sitting on her very old hus-
bands knee? The love will last. but that
will not. We will not have SO very much
of that which win not last"
For all that. James caught Clemency and
kissed her until her soft face was crimson,
but he said to himself, when he was in his
own room, that never was girl so wise,
and how much more he wanted to hold her
upon his knee-as II he had not already held
her there-and yet she was not coquettish.
She was simply earnest, with an odd. wise,
childlike earnestness
Early the next morning James went to
the hotel and found Gordon haggard and
evidently worse. The terrible red fire Of
st. Anthony had mounted higher and set
tied lower. ut has attacked his throat
now" Gordon said in a whisper. II ex-
When 1t does, nobody but you and must
be with him, not even George K He is
getting some rest He was up half the
night, bless him But when it reaches the
must be you and I. Take this list, and
make the calls as quickly as you can, and
| come back here James. with q last
glance at the black and swollen face of the
man, who now seemed to be In state of
coma, obeyed He hurried through his list
and returned. He found no apparent
suade Gordon to take little rest. but the
elder man was obdurate. NO" he said
here I stay. l have had bit to eat and
drink. You go down yourself and get some
X,
rive any second. Then shall need you"
The fire had outstripped the olackness on
| the mans cheek toward the temple. One
eye was closed.
When James returned after a hurried
lunch he heard loud, terrible voice in
the room. Outside the door maid stood
with a Mortified face listening. James
grasped her roughly by the shoulder. Get
out Of this" he ordered. IF find you
| or any one else here listening, you'll be
sorry for It,"
The maid gasped out an excuse and fed
James tried the door. but it was locked.
'Is that you, ELLIOTT" called Gordon above
| the other awful voice.
yes
The door was unlocked, and James
sprang into the room, but he was hardly
quick enough, for the man was almost out
of bed, when the two doctors forced him
back with all their strength. Then he sat
up and raved, and such raving! James felt
his very blood cold within him. ReveIa-
lions as of devil were in those rawlings
Once in a while James opened the door
cautiously to be sure that no one was
as Of a multitude. Gordon's was among
them, and many names Of women, one es-
pecially = Catherine. He repeated that
name more frequently than the others. but
the others were legion. There was some
thing indescribably horrible in hearing this
repetition of names of unknown people, &C
companied with statements beyond belief
regarding them and the raving man. Cor
younger doctors. Look and see If any
one is listening, for Gods sake Gordon
gasped. after one terrific outburst, and
James looked, but George K. was keeping
watch that nobody approached the door.
James never knew how long he was in
that room with Gordon listening to those
frenzied rawlings, and striving with him to
keep the man from injuring himself, The
daylight waned, James lighted lamp.
Then a mighty creaking was heard out
side, and George K, himself bearing
ITS me- and l brought you something"
he shouted, and then they heard his re-
treating footsteps. Much delicacy was
there in George K. and much affection for
Dr. Gordon.
James brought In the tray. and now and
then he and Gordon took advantage Of
slight lull to take bite, but neither had
any an, desire for food: It was only the IN,
their strength in order that nobody else
should hear what they were hearing, that
forced them to eat and drink. Well into
the evening the rawlings stopped suddenly.
the man fell back upon his pillow and
lay still. James thought at first that all
was over. but presently stertorous breath
HNow get George K up" Gordon said
lloarsely. There Is no further need for
us to be alone. and there will be directions
to be given"
James went out and found George X. sit
ting up in his bar room.
'Dr. Gordon wants you" he said.
How is he7" asked George K. follow
ing James.
Dying
George K. made an indescribable sound
in his throat as the two men assembled
the stair.
The man was long time dying 1t
seemed to James as If that awful struggle
Of the soul for release from the body
would never cease. He knew, or thought
he knew. that there was no suffering to
the dying man, but, after all, the sounds
a nf auffarinp seemed a1p10Sf To 1t.
Gordon whispered for a while to Georgia
K, as If the dying man might he dis
turbed by audible speech. Then Geo-Sio
K. tiptoed out in his creaking boots, ard
James knew that some arrangements were
to be perfected for the last services to the
dead. Gordon stood over the bed, with
occupant James dared not speak to him:
It was midnight when the dreadful
breathing ceased and there was silence.
George K, had returned. The three living
understanding Of what had happened. then
they hastily arranged some matters. The
dead man was decently composed and
dressed, his throat swathed anew in linen
handkerchiefs. and another handkerchief
laid over the discolored face, which had
in death a strange peace, as If relieved OF
an uneasy and wearing tenant Before
George K. went out the village under
waiting for some time in the parlof with
young assistant. They mounted the stairs
bearing some appurtenances or their trace.
Gordon addressed the undertaken briefly,
giving some directions, then he motioned
to James, and they passed out. George
K remained in the room. He prevented
the undertaken from removing the linen
swathe on the dead mans throat. Doc
says it's catching" he said, and the un-
dertaker drew back quickly.
When Gordon and James were in the
buggy on the way home, Gordon all at
once gave great sigh, like that of
swimmer who yields to the force of the
current. or the fighter who sinks before his
opponent. Pm about done, too" he said
Here, take the lines, Elliot"
James took the refns and looked anxiously
at his companions face, pale blue In the
moonlight. you are not il?' he said.
mo. only done up. For Gods sake let
me rest, and don't talk till we get homer
James drove on. Gordon's head sank upon
his breast. and he began to breathe regu--
larly. He did not wake until James reused
him when they reached home.
The next morning before breakfast James
was awakened by loud voice in the office.
the high pitched one Of woman. He re-
called how exhausted Doctor Gordon had
been the night before. and rose and dressed
quickly. When he entered the office Gordon
was sitting huddled up in his old armchair
baPoro the Hre uhflo holt upright heside