The San Francisco call., 1906-06-24
CHAPTER XVI.
Tired.

Tired.
There seemed TO be conspiracy between
the various people who depended upon
Vaughan to keep him from getting any
sleep. The night following his experience
with Barker was spent with sick child
over on n street. The next night Mike
Flynn came for him. Mary's time had ar
rived and neither Dr. Elliott nor Dr. Addi-
son could be found.
I'm come" said Vaughan. glancing rue
fully at the bed which he had not occupied
for two nights. Go right along, Mike
I'll be there almost as soon as you are"
Sure, ye will that if We take yer
ord'n'ry gait" said Mike admiringly
The parsons rate of speed had been the
subject of much comment in Eureka.
Bets had been made more than once on
the length of time it would take him 10
get from y street to the Methodist church
But tonight he Jagged The vim had gone
out of him. Only the presence of suffer
ing, the appeal of need could bring life
out of anything so dead as he felt him
self 10 be.
Once in the middle of the struggle how
ever, he found resources in himself which
dtIcOs dLO SluUlDlCQ nome at Dawn Wen
pleased with his nights work. He flung
himself on his bed, dressed, as he was,
and slept heavily until noon.
When he awoke IL was with no sense
of refreshment. The fatigue. the heavi-
ness which he had held OF by sheer force
Of win during his waking hours had re-
turned during sleep. He could not resist
them. He sat up and loosened his collar
with an effort, as if he were some one
else whom he was trying to revive The
air was sitting. He pulled himself to-
eether and went to the window. 1t was
but little better there He had eaten
nothing since the night before. but the
thought of food sickened him. His eyes
fell on Barker's flask. left standing on his
desk since the soldering off"
Il suppose a swallow of that would
give me a start" he said, smiling at the
absurdity of the thought-he taking a
drink from Barker's flask, 1T is more
than that crave, elixir vitae, a breath of
the hills l viii go up to Galena"
He found his way around to the stable
and ordered them TO saddle Black Birdie.
There's something wrong with her."
said the hostler. She's off her feed and
kinder droopy. She amt ben rode enough,
but if you're goin fur / wouldn't advise
| IL all TO oncet."
Very we'll" said Clement
There was no train for Galena until
night Where should he go? In his
weakness and disappointment he was very
near tears. He did not want Jack, he
did not want any man. He wanted the
atmosphere only woman can give. He
wanted Mary enley-or-Katharine
Chisholm. She would understand. She
would talk TO him, play to him, rest
him. The family were back He had
caught glimpse of them the day be-
fore and they had called out to him and
/ TOD him 10
With rush of hopeful anticipation, he
set out for Richmond Hill.
There another disappointment awaited
him Every one except Miss Emmeline
had gone driving. He found her sitting
on the versnda, with the inevitable novel.
And because, just then her heart was full
OF the hero of ii, she welcomed him with
pensive cordiality. He almost fell into
the chair opposite her. She started up
in alarm.
Mr. Vaughan, you are i'll, Yes. YOU
are. You are III" she cried. Come right
into the house and lie down and I'll bring
you something"
and herself shook up the pillows OF the
couch.
Lie right down. she said authorita
lively. Il am going to bring you some
egg nogg. No, / won't put anything in il
except a little, a very little, sherry
Ion say WOrd
She hustled away and soon returned
win the draught. So comforting it was.
so kind her face as she bent above him
that Vaughan, universal lover of the sex
sent up TO her glance like prayer and
raised her soft. little. old wrinkled hand
10 his lips She smiled and blushed and
would have Withdrawn it
1t was the first time she had ever had
fair look at him. What a beautiful
white brow he had, but so lined by care
and thought. poor fellow, How heavy his
lashes We're. How straight and clear-cut
his nose. she took note OF his long.
straight body his slender brown hands
his aristocratic feet, There was family in
him, Miss Emmeline decided. whatever
mis- present status.
She watched him until his breathing
grew deeper, more eve2. He was asleep
she tried 10 withdraw her hand but he
clasped IL more closely. and she resigned
herself to the position in which she
found herself half doing, too, as she
leaned back in her chair.
The door was flung open. Some one en-
tered the shaded roon-Kstharine of all
persons in the world. Miss Emmeline
pulled away her hand. Vaughan's dark
eyes opened He gazed wonderingly up
at Katharine. She advanced stood irres-
olute' surprised. amused, not altogether
pleased at what she saw
Mr.. Vaughan asleep on the couch
Holding Emmelines hand? What did n
mean? Vaughan sat up. laughing.
Your good sister has wrought a mir
acle." he exclaimed Il was a dead man
when ] came here an hour ago"