The Press., 1907-09-18
|AQuestiOn of.
Precedence.
BY cuRRAM RICHARD OREcNLEY.
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
pulled the wraps closer about her
shoulders. Somewhere out In that
swirl of sleet and snow Dick Weldon
was breasting the storm, his dark
her words had inflicted. Even so. let
him 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
for WeldOns 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
them to Japan had reached her at the
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
they would he 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
run through the open country, and the
twinkIing lights Of villages swept by
like fireflies through the stormy dark
ness. Loneliness engulfed her, and in
desperation she sought refuge in her
berth, to lie, open eyed. oil 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 prairies, with the
snow coming down with undated en-
ergy. The engine fought its 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 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
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 fight aud gave Agatha time to find
herself while he ran on with an easy
flow Of commonplace.
"You were ON all nightY she ven
tured.
Weldon's eyes met hers fairly. Eyes.
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 a 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 Japanf
1t may interest YOU" Then he van
Ished behind his paper.
Agatha picked up the magazine, the
gray blur Between her eyes and the
page threatening to overflow.
"Why need he faunt his Indifference
SO brazenlyT' she thought. mo one
asked him to come" But she stole
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 me2
This belated interest Is simply amaZ-
ing" But the heightened color and
the laughter deep In her eyes belied
her words. Under cover Of the maya
zine WeldoRs hand sought and found
hers. They had the car practically to
themselves, and the brown head
dropped perilously near to Weldons
shoulder as he bent over the girl and
the door was flung open and porter
dashed through. yelling as he went:
els there q doctor on board? There's
q child bout to die back there in the
way car, and Its mothers scared stiff"
Weldon hesitated; then the call to
duty overcame. With an appealing
glance at the girl. 'You will hear me
afterwardT he was gone.
Agatha turned to the blind wilderness
without, her lips trembling.
''It will always be sO-a secondary
consideration" She knew the words
he would have said-felt the lost
sweetness Of the desecrated moment.
Hours seemed to pass In the next ten
minutes. The porter returned for We'll
drifted back into the warm car. There
Is nothing exciting In contemplating
snowdrift, and they could continue the
discussion In comfort. Agatha longed
to escape the chatter.
She went through the intervening
sleepers to the way car. where. at the
end In a little space, she found We'll
de-. His coat was of. the instrument
case open on the floor, and across the
dingy velvet of the seat lay the child.
Weldon turned quickly.
tTt ia ma liOnont dinhfhorio Aro Won,
afraidY
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 choking gasps. For the
first time Agatha understood.
Can I helm yOuFn