The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11

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like a fol" he half whispered. II can't get used to this
damned see-saw. First. I'm all ready for 1T. and then I'm
nearly wild. And so 1t goes-up and down. up and down"
How Is she? Is 1t all settled for tomorrow? Hitch
cock snid that perhaps-?"
Mrs. Moore Is dong very well-realy very we'll. She
was a little excited when Mrs. wyMe was with her. but
she Is nicely sleepy now. 1 think 1t will be better to stay
only a moment. She will get n good nights rest tonight.
1t is SO cool. The weather is on our side'
She smiled into his eyes and nodded gravely. He
frightened and squared his shoulders. As he went quickly
up the staira Belden stopped the woman.
Tell me" he. said, autforitatively, how Is my sister,
really? What do you consider her chance?
She looked him easily in the eyes. 1T is impossible
to say she returned gravely. your sister is a very
brave. self-possessed woman, and seems to have a good
constitution. That is. of course. half the battle. But her
case Is very complicated. and, until the operation. no one
can tell. You may have every confidence in DR.. Jameson.
He is a magnificent surgeon" Before her "non-committal
eyes his own fell bafled. He was more irritated than he
cared to own. Could she not SEQ that he was prepared
for anything. that his sef-control was as great as her
own? She treated him like q child; those professional
reserves, necessary, doubtless, IN the case of Peter and
his excitable sister, were wasted on him. Why could she
not see 1t?
colby. (" but I had hoped that you would find yourself
able to break through the professional attitude sufficiently
to give me your real opinion, which, OF course, you must
have formed"
She threw him a quick glance. "Ah, my friend" he
thought, cxultingly, ..you have a temper, then!" But in
an instant Il, was gone.
II have told you all 1 was able to tell she said evenly.
II have been here but a short time, you know
She turned and left the hall. and he, chatting under a
sense Of mcritcd rebuke. conscious OF a foolish petulance,
went discontentedly into the library. He seemed to be
continually at fault with Miss Strong, but unable to resist
the effort to master her.
The evening was very lonely and still. Peter had gone
to his room carly, and the children had etaced thenh-
selves; Susy was with them. Aunt Lucia read the 'Imi-
tation OF Christ" by the fire. Belden's mind turned un-
consciously to the old days when Caddy and he dreamed
out their future in the nursery. 1t had all come out Just
as she had planned, except this. Poor little Caddy-a
fighting chance!
The next morning seemed to fly by them; 1T was Q
o'clock, 10. II.
through the house. They met and passed each other. hur-
ryng. troubled. secretive; tho servants stumbled and quar-
relied In their purposeless haste. To Belden. quieting when
he could, sternly optimistic everywhere; at heart heavy and
uncertain. 1t seemed that the one anchor Of their hopes
was this calm, clear-eyed woman in her uniform Of au-
thority!
Peter hung pathetically on her highest word; the chill
dren. dazed and terrified. ate and exercised at her COM
mand his own boy. a strange hard look in his furtive eyes,
followed her like a dog; and Aunt Lucia submitted witt,
unprecedented meekncss to an abrupt curtailment of her
Interview With C!arice. He himself went into the bed
room for a moment. half uncertain Of the reality of the
experience. 1t was absurd to remember that he might
never see her. conscious, again-his own little Caddy.
Flo sat nwkwardly on the side Of the bed.
We'll, little woman, how goes it?'
Queens taste. WIFI
Good for you. I'm proud OF the Beldens, Gladly
Billy acts like q drum major"
Her eyes Ssoftcned.
The dear boy she murmured. Their eyes met. Look
after him. hers said, and his "As long as l liyel' He
stopped and kissed her lightly. Mind you look as well
as thn tomorrow
ooh. I shall be all right. Miss Strong will take care
of me. When I think how l have the best of everything
such care-Ive Been a very happy woman, Will. DEAR
+ i. i. j. Il i. # 4.
His eyes nlled. He threw her a kiss and went out
blindly. A hand touched his arm.
you've done her good said the nurse softly. you
stayed Just long enough. She'll take her nap now
He went heavily into his own room. Below him a lit
Ito porch led out from the smoking room, and, as he sat
lost In a miserable reverle, voices rose from 1t to his
window.
Nobody knows what she's been to me. AS much like
q mother us I'd let her. l did everything but tho cigar
cites, and I meant to tell her I'd do.that. too. next month
that's her birthday
Was this his hoy, that pleading, shaken voice? lilo
looked out; the lad was lingering Miss strong's white
apron nervously. She leaned over the railing of the little
porch, her hand on his shoulder.
"You tell her about It'll never smoke another one.
1t was the last thing she asked me-
I'll tell her-she will be so pleased, 1 know. She asked
about you yesterday. I'll let you know IA soon as 1 cam
Belden, a little later, hurried downstairs, with a con-
fused idea of thanking her. On.the threshold OF the ~
brary no paused, amazed. Or, Hitchcock sat before a.
small green baize table. studying five playing cards. held
holding the pack eXpectantly.
'tAou can give me two. my dear, ! think he said rs
Belden entered. Looking up. he smiled apologetically.
II dare say you are surprised he suggested; "hut l
have boon much exasperated. Mr., Bclden, and a long ex-5
perience has taught mo that nothing so quickly clears the
mind as throwing o few hands OF poker, Miss stronS-an