Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-10-03
IAQueStiOn of
| Precedence.
!: BY cURRAN RICHARD GREENLEY.

| station us a dash of sieet against the
windows gave warning OF the increas-
ing storm. Agatha shivered as she
| pulled the wraps closer about her
| shoulders. Somewhere out In that
swirl of sleet and snow Dick Weldon
was breasting the storm, his dark
face darker still with the pain that
her words had inflicted. Even SO, let
| him 90 since 1t had to be a question
| of precedence between her love and
his profession. She recalled the night
that she had excused herself from her
hostess box party to remain at home
for Weldon's call, only to sit alone in
the deserted drawing room, and he had
, not even troubled to send an excuse.
| That was the beginning of the end
| Now her bridges were all burned and
| every moment speeding her toward the
| new life out there in the orient Kath-
| arine Laird's invitation to go with
| crucial moment-Japan, dim, dusky
| dream that all her life had lain Just
over the border Of possibility, and with
Katharine and Ellis of all people!
| Katharine wrote that the appointment
was not of sufficient Importance to
count as political asset; therefore
they would be safe to remain there for
years.
Then out of the misty premises of
| the future came the memory of Wei
don's face when badly, brutally, with
out one softening note of regret, she
had told him of her plans and In the
| next breath a conventional farewell in
! the presence Of the other guests. She
| had built up the wall of injured pride
all too securely, leaving no loophole for
| belated explanations.
The train settled down to the long
pun through the open country, and the
| twinkling lights of villages swept by
| like firefies through the stormy dark
| ness. Loneliness engulfed her, and In
| desperation she sought refuge In her
berth, to lie, open eyed, all the sleep
| less night. while the certainty OF her
| folly beat in upon her, clearer with
| each succeeding hour
| Morning found them far out on the
deal level Of the prairles, with the
snow coming down with unabated en-
ergy. The engine fought it's way
through the drifts, but at last the big
| wheels stood still. Agatha woke up
to the fact that something was wrong
when the men began to file out of the
car. Then man came down the
| aisle and stopped at her seat.
"Dick, Dick Weldon She was on
her feet, both hands outstretched and
all grievances forgotten in the glad
revulsion of feeling. If he had noticed
the Joy In face and voice, he made no
sign as he dropped into the vacant
seat.
I'VE are snowbound and may have
to spend the rest Of the day here until
the pillow comes to our relief"
The matter of fact tone put confusion
to flight and gave Agatha time to find
herself while he ran on with an easy
flow of commonplaces.
you were on all nighti' she ven
tured.
Weldon's eyes met hers fairly Yes
/ would have made my presence
known, but feared you would resent
the intrusion; you have kept me SO
thoroughly out in the cold of late
"I-that is and the words failed her.
Weldon pulled magazine from his
pocket and handed it to her, the shad-
ow of "A smile lurking in his eyes.
Have you seen that article on japan?
1t may interest you" Then he van
ished behind his paper.
Agatha picked up the magazine, the
gray blur betweel her eyes and the
page threatening to overflow.
'W'hy need he flaunt his indifference
SO brazenlyp she thought mo ono
asked him to come" But she stole a
look at the dark, intent face. and their
eyes met The paper fell to the floor
between them. mo use. dear lady,
confess. | followed because | could
not stay behind"
what, Left all those wonderfully
interesting patients Just to follow me?
This belated interest is simply amaz-
Ing But the heightened color and
the laughter deep in her eyes beled
her words. Under cover of the maya
zine Weldou's hand sought and found
hers. They had the car practically 10
themselves, ana the brown head
dropped perlously near to Weldon's
shoulder as he bent over the girl and
the door was flung open and a porter
dashed through, yelling ms be went
is there a doctor on board? There's
n child bout to die back there in the
way car. and It's mothers scared stiff"
Weldon heSitated; then the call TO
tuty overcame. With an appealing
glance at the girl You will hear me
afterwardW he was gone.
Agatha turned to the blind whiten.Ss
without, her lips trembling
III VIII always be so-a secondary
She knew the words
le would have said-felt the lost
sweetness of the desecrated moment.
Hours seemed TO pass in the next ten
ainutes. The porter returned for We'll
ION suit case; then the passengers
lrfffpI Inch i,,+..