The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-25
A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE.
By CuYran Richard Greenley. 1907, by Homer Spragu

By Cupran Richard Greenley. Copyrighted. 1907, by Homer Sprague. The Limited pulled out from the station as a dash of sleet against the windows gave warning of the increas- ing storm. Agatha shivered as she pull ing storm. Agatha shivered as she pulled the wraps closer about her shoulders. Somewhere out in that swirl of sIeet and snow. Dick Weldon was breasting that storm, hir dark face, darker still, with the pains that hef words had inflicted. Even SO; let him precedence between her love and his profession She recalled the night that she had excused herself from her host ess' box party to remain at home for Weldon's call only to sit alone in the deserted drawing room. and he had not even t-3ubled to send eo excuse. That was the beginning of the end; now her bridges were all burned and new life out there in the Orient. Kath- arine Laird's invitation to go with them to Japan had reached her at the crucial moment. Japan, dim. dusky dream that all her life had lain just Royer the border 9f ,, p,ossibility, and with ia Katherine wrote that the appointment was not of suficient importance to count as a political asset. therefore they would be safe to remain there for years.
 Then,out of the misty premise of the future, came the memory of Weldon's face when baldly: brutally, without one him of her plans, and in the next breath. a conventional farewell in the 1 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 run through the open country, and the twinkling lights of villages swept by like firefiys through the stormy dark ness. Loneliness engulfed her and in desperation she sought refuge in her berth to lie. open-eyed, all the sleep | ,@cs right while the certainty & her folly beat in upon her. clearer with l ea srnceeding hour.
 Morning found them far out on the dead level of the prairies with the snow coming down with unabated en- ergy. The engine fought its way through the drifts. but at last the big wheels stood still Agatha woke up to the fart that something was wrong when the men began to file out of the car. Then a 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 revuision of feeling. If he noticed the 1 joy In face and voice. he made no sign as he dropped into the vacant | seat.
 We are snowbound and may have to spend the rest Of the day here un- til the blow comes to our relief"
 The matter of-fact tone put confu- sion to flight and gave Agatha time to | find herself. while he ran on with an easy flow of commonplaces.R | "YOu wera 0n all ntDhfov 4 hn 1,ap r 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"
 T-that is." and the words failed her
 Weldon pulled magazine from his pocket and handed it to her. the shad- ow of smile lurking in hls eyes. Have you seen that article on Japan ? It may interest you" Then he vanish ed behind his paper
 1 Agatha picked up the magazine. the gray blur between her eyes and the page threatening to overflow. fe, why need he Haunt his indifference so brazenly?" she thought. NO one 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. No use, dear lady. confess. I followed because I could not stay behind"
 What! left all those interesting patients just to follow me? This be- lated interest Is simply amazing-" but the heightened color and the | laughter deep in her eyes belied her words Uuder cover of the maga zine Weldon's hand sought and found hers They had the car practically to them selves, and the brown head dropped perilously near to weldon's shoulder as he bent over the girl, and the door was flung open and a porter dashed | through yelling as he went. "Is there a doctor on board. There's child bout to die back there in the way car and it's mothers scared stiff"
 Weldon hesitated. then the call to duty overcame. With an appealing glance at the girl:
 You will hear me afterwardr he was gone.
 Agatha turned to the blind whiteness without. her lips trembling.
 Tt will always be so-a secondary consideration" She knew the words he would have said-felt the lost sweet seemed to pass In the next ten min utes. The porter returned for Vel don's suit case, then the passengers drifted back into the warm car There Is nothing exciting in contemplating a snowdrift. and they could continue the discussion in comfort Agatha longed to escape the chatter.
 | She went through the intervening | sleerers to the way car, where, at the | end in a little space. she found Weld on His coat was off. tho instrument case open on the floor and across the | dngy velvet of the seat lay the child. Weldon turned quickly.
 "It Is malignant diptheria. Are you afraid?
 She shook her head. her eyes grow | ing soft with pity as she watched the little head tossing from side to side and heard the checking gasps. For the first time Agatha understood. Gan I help you?' s@~
 The smile that lit his dark face was her reward.
 T would not have asked 1t. but I would be only too thankful if you would Get that alcohol lamp started. These instruments must be sterillzed."
 Agatha obeyed, losing all sense ot stran geness in the surroundings. as Weldon issued orders and those short gaspg grew wore labored With the porter's assistance, he placed the child on a little table borrowed from the sleeper, then. looking steadily into the girls eyes, for the first time. called her by name-"A gatha. try to remember that this is absolutely necessary that the child Is uncon scious and does not instruments as call for them, and don't let a thought of his suffering trouble you" Then to the women who It0ar nd FTR1F Hn