The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-26
THE EVENING STORY
A Question of PRECEDENCE.

AhS Limited pulled out from the
station as dash of sleet against the
windows gave warning of the increas-
ing storm. Agatha shivered as she
puIled the wraps closer about her
swirl of sleet and snow, Dick Weldon
was breasting that storm. his dark
race darker still, with the pain that
her words had inflicted. Even so: let
MIN go; since it 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
Tor 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;
every moment speeding her toward
the new life. out there in the Orient
Katharine 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 over the border or possibility, and
with Katharine and Ellis. of ali peo-
pie. Katharine wrote that the APP
pointment was not of sufficient mn
portance to count as political asset
therefore they would be safe to re-
main there for years.
Then, out of the misty premises of
the future, came the memory of We'll
dons 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, having 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 firefiies through the stormy dark
ness. Loneliness engulfed her ana IN
desperation she sought refuge IN her
n.
less night while the certainty of her
folly beat in upon her, clearer with
each succeeding hour.
Morning found them far out on the
snow coming down with undated
energy. The engine fought its way
through the drifts, but at last the big
wheels stood still. Agatha woke up
when the men became 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 outstretcheo ana
all grievances forgotten in the glad re-
vulsion of feeling. If he noticed the JOY |
in her face and voice, he made no sign
as he dropped into the vacant chair.
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 ma |
herself, while he ran on with an easy |
flow of commonplace.
You were on all night she ven
tured.
Weldon's eyes met hers fairly-"Yes.
1 would have made my presence known,
but feared you would resent the lntru-
sion; you have kept me so thoroughly
out in the cold.
"I-that is" and the words failed her.
Weldon pulled a magazine from his
pocket and handed it to her, the shadow
of smile lurking in his eyes. have
you seen that article on Japan? 1t may
interest you" Then ne vanlsneo De-
hind his paper.
Agatha picked up the magazine. the
gray blur between her eyes ana the
page threatening to overflow.
'FWhy need he fiaunt his Indifference
so brazenly?" she thought. mo one
asked him to come But she stole
ook at the dark, intent face, and their
eyes met. The paper fell to the floor
between them. mo use, dear ladys
confess. 1 followed because 1 could not
stay behind
What! Left all those wonderfully IN
teresting patients just to follow me?
This belated interest is simply amazing
- but the heightened color and the
deep in her eyes belied her
words Under cover of the magazine
Weldon's hand sought and found hers.
They had the car practically to them
selves, and the brown head dropped per-
lOuSlX near TO w 6lQOn he
bent over the girl, and the door was
lung open and the porter dashed
through, yelling as he went, rs there a
loctor on board. There's child about
% die back there in the way car and its
scared stiff"
Weldon hesitated, then the call to
iuty overcame. With an appealing
glance at the girl:
You will hear me afterwards? he
vas gone.
Agatha turned to the blind whiteness
her lips trembling. II
"It will always be so-a secondary
consideration" She knew the words he
would have said-felt the lost sweet
less of the desecrated moment. Hours
eemed to pass in the next ten minutes. | ,
rhe porter returned for Weldon's suit
ase then the passengers drifted back !
nto the warm car. There is nothing
xciting in contemplating a snowdrift,
md they could continue the discussion !
n comfort. Agatha longed to escape
he chatter.
She went through the intervening
leepers to the way car, where, at the {
nd in little space, she found Weldon.
lis coat was off. the instrument case
pen on the floor and across the dingy /
'elvet of the seat lay the child.
Weldon turned quickly. c
ut is malignant diphtheria. Are you
.fraid?" t
She shook her head her eyes growing 3
oft with pity as she watched the little L
cad tossing from side to side and heard
he choking gasps. For the first time q
agatha understood. I
"Can I help your" f.
The smile that lit his dark face was
er reward. =
'I would not have asked it, but q
7ould be only too thankful II you =
7ould. Get that alcohol lamp started.
'hese instruments must be sterilized."
Agatha obeyed, losing all sense of I
hort gasps grew more labored. With
ne porter's assistance, he lifted the n
HID on little table borrowed from the "