The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-08-27
| AQuestiOn of
| Precedence.
BY cURRaN RICHARD GREENLtY.
/; Copyrighted, 1907, by Homer sprague.



station as 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
face darker still with the pain that
her words had inflicted. Even so, let
him 60 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 I'm the orient. Kath-
arine Laird's invitation to 60 with
them to Japan had reached her at the
crucia, 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 a 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 Il conventional farewell ia
the presence of the other guests. She
had built up the wall Of injured pride
all too securely. leaving no loophole for
bclatel explanations.
The train settled down to the long
run through the open country, and the
twinkliag lights Of villages swept by
like firea'es 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 heat 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 unabated 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 ut her seat.
"Dick. Dick Weldon She was on
her feet. both hands Outstretched and
all grievances forgotten in the glad
revulsion Of feeling. II he had noticed
the 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 until
the plow comes 20 our relief"
The matter OF fact tone put confusion
70 flight and gave Agatha time TO find
herself while he ran on with an easy
flow Of commonplace.
"You were on all mighty" 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 a magazine from his
pocket and handed Il to her. the shad-
ow Of smile lurking In his eyes.
Have you seen that article on Japanf
II 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 20 overflow.
"why need he flaunt his indifference
so brazenlyf" she thought. NO one
asked him to come" But she stole a
look nj the dark. intent face, and their
eyes met. The paper fell 10 the floor
between them. NO use. dear lady, !
confess. I followed because l could
not stav behind"
"what. Left all those wonderfully
interesting patients just 20 follow me!
This belatcd interest Is simply amaz-
Ing" But the heightened color and
the laughter deep In her eyes belicd
her words. Under cover Of the maga-
zine weldon's hand sought and found
hers. They had the car practically to
themselves. 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 doctor ON boardf 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
duty oyercame. With an appealing
glance at the girl, "You Will hear me
aftcrwnrdT' 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 I'm the next ten
..aa....s.. Frts. ,..nNae soNtfrttoH for IIafs