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

Tell Clemency 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
rectiy Clemency 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. l heard him speak. Were
any bones brokeng'
mo. 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-ficker with freight. Grotesque
shadows danced over the walls and ceiling.
and sprawled uncertainty on the floor
| her own had shocked whiteness and hor-
ror In spite OF the tenderness in his.
Tell" she began,
What, dear?'
WAS it-that man?'
James hesitated.
Tell me-" Clemenoy said imperiously.
Yes, think II was"
Clemency glanced as IL instinctivey at
the dog, lying asleep in a white coil on
the hearth. What was the matter with
him?' she asked In a hardly audible
voice.
He had fallen, dear. and was uncon-
scous'
Nothing Clemency glanced again at
the dog, and did not complete her ques-
ton.
He had recovered consciousness" James
said hastily
Then he is not going to die" It was
impossible to say what kind OF relief was
IN 1T the girls voice, but relief there was
see no reason why he should. / don't
think your uncle thought he would die"
Where have they taken him?'
ITO the hotel. Now, Clemency. dear. you
all
go to bed"
Clemency obeyed like a child. She kissed
James. took a candle, and went upstairs.
James went into his own room, but he
did not undress or go to bed. Instead he
sat at the window facing the street and
stared into the darkness, watching for
Doctor Gordcn's 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, Elllot3' called Doctor
Gordon's tired voice.
Yes. thought l would"
Il stayed until I was sure 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 hesitatingly.
No" cried Gordon, "he shall notr' 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"
wen, 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 wen have some
thing to drink then we will go to bed,
and God grant We don't have a night
CALI
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 feeblyi
he moved. 1t was on his tongues end to
oner to assist him. but he did not dare.
(To be continued tomorrow.) Il