The Tupelo journal., 1909-06-18
CHAPTER XvI.-Continusa.

Conscious and free from fever, he
was barely able to ~articulate, but
when delirious fancies possessed him
he could talk rapidly, in a good voice.
Very soon it was clear that he was
calmer for the colonefs presence.
Hence, the latter got into the habit
of sitting in the room. He would re-
quest imaginary ruined and desperate
beings to leave Keatcham in peace;
he would gravely rise and close the
door on their departure. He never was
surprised nor at a loss; and his dra-
matte nerve never failed. Later, as
the visions faded, a moody reserve
wrapped the sick a He lay motion
less, evidently absorbed by thought.
In one way he was what doctors call a
very good patient. He obeyed all di-
rections; he was not restless. But
neither was he ever cheerful. Every
day he asked for his pulse record and
his temperature and his respiration.
After a consultation with the doc
tor, Miss Smith gave them to him.
ut is against the rules" grumbled
the doctor, "but l suppose each pa
tient has to make his own rules" On
the same theory he permitted the colo
nel's visits.
Therefore, with no surprise, Winter
received and obeyed the summons.
Keatcham greeted him with his usual
stiff courtesy.
"The doctor says l can have the
papers-will you pick out-the-one-
day after l was stabbed"
Miss Smith indicated a pile on a
little table, placed ready at hand. 81
kept them for him." she said.
Read about-the Midland" COM
manded the faint, indomitable voice.
Want the election and the newspa-
per sentiments" asked the colonel;
he gave it all, conscious the while of
Janet Smiths compassionate. per-
picked, sorrowful eyes.
Don't skip!" Keatcham managed to
articulate after a pause.
The colonel gave him a keen glance.
want it straight, without a chaser?"
Keatcham closed his eyes and
nodded.
The colonel read about the virtually
unanimous election of Tracy; the as
constituent of the outsiders among the
supposed anti-Tracy element; the COM
posed and i~mpenetrable front of the
men closest to Keatcham; the reticence
and amiability of Tracy himself, in
whose mien there could be detected no
hint either of hostility or of added
cordiality toward the men who had
been expected ito drag his bleeding
pride in the DUST" finallv of the re-
Spouse of the stock-market in a phe-
nomenal rise of Midland.
Keatcham listened with his unde-
c%ipherable mask of attention; there
was not so much as the flicker of an
eyelid or the twitch of a muscle. All
he said was: Now, read if there is
anything about the endowment of the
new fellowships In some medical
schools for experimental research"
Who gives the endowment"
Anonymous. In memory of Maria
Warren Keatcham and Helen Bradford
Keatcham. Find anything"
The colonel found a great deal
about it. The paper was full of this
munificent gift, amounting to many
millions of dollars and filling with
most carefully and wisely-planned de-
tails) an almost absolute vacuum in
the American scheme of education.
The dignity and fame OF the chairs
and fellowships endowed we're ample
to tempt the best ability of the profess
sion. The reader grew enthusiastic
as he read.
why, it's immense! And we have
always needed it," he exclaimed.
There are some letters about 1t,
there"-Keatcham feebly motioned to
a number of neatly-opened, neatly
assorted letters on a desk. The doc
tor said / might have the letters read
to me. Miss S&aith got him to. For