The Mena weekly star., 1909-06-17


 "Col. Winter, 1 Must Beg You Not to
 Let Those Persons in the Room
 Again"
 when delirious fapeies possessed him he could talk rapid y, in a good voice. Very soon 1t was clear that he was calmer for the t3loners presence Hence, the latter got into the habit of sitting in the room. He would re- quest imaginary ruined and desperate eeings 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- matic nerve never failed Later, as the visions faded. moody reserve ] wrapped the sick man. He lay motion less, evidently absorbed by thought. In one way he was what doctors call 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 tempeature and his respiration After a consultation with the doc tor, Miss Smith gave them 10 him.
 Tt is against the rules" grumbled the doctor, but l suppose each pa. iient has 10 make his own rules" On ihe same theory he permitted the colo nel's visits.
 Therefore, with no surprise, Winter received and obeyed the summons kcateham greeted him with his usual stld courtesy.
 The doctor says I can have the napers-will you pick out--the-one- lsv affer I was stabbed"
 Miss Smith indicated a pile on a little table, placed ready at hand. q kept tfem 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. 1 plexed, sorrowful eyes.
 Don't skip!" Keatcham managed to artieulate after pause.
 The colonel gave him keen glance Want 1t straight. without a chaser?"
 Keatcham closed his eyes and nodded
 The colonel read about the virtually l unanimous election of Tracy: the as | tonishment of the outsiders among the supposed anti-Tracy element; the com posed and impenetrable front of the | ,xo, olosaet +r Kaatohapo. tha raficanca and suitability 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 to drag his bleeding pride in the dust" finally of the re sponse of the stock-market in a phe- | nomenal rise of Midland.
 Kcatcham listened with his unde- cipherable 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 anythingg
 The colonel found a great deal about it. The paper was fu'i of this munificcnt gift. amcunting 10 many millions of dollars and filling (with most carefully and wiselyplanned de tails) an almost absolute vacuum ln the American scheme of education, The dignity and fame of the chairs and fellowships endowed were ample to tempt the best ability of the proies- sion. The reader grew enthusiastic as he read
 .Why. it's immense! And we have always needed iti" he exclaimed,
 "There are some letters about It, there"-Keatcham feebly motioDed TO a number of neatly-opened, neatly assorted letters on desk. The doc tor said I might have the letters read to me. Miss Smith got him to. For fear of exciting you, the doctors usuai- ly let you worry your head on pe- cause you don't know about thines' I've got to carry few things through if if kills me. Don't you seer
 q see" said the colonel, you snail
 The next time he saw the financier' although only few days had elapsed he was much stronger; he was aoie to breathe comfortably, he spoke wi'h ease. in his ordinary voice; In me. ne looked his old self again, merely thln. ner and paler. Hardly was the eolonei seated before he said without preface
 -Keatcham never made approaches to his subject regarding conversa'lonai road.making as waste of brains TOT u
 busy man. - .o eColonel. Miss Smith hasn't time to , he my nurse and secretary botn. ,won,t have one sent from New York; : will YOU help her out?"
 The colonels lips twitched; ne was thinking that were Miss smith worh' . ing for Atkins. she couldn't nave E hetter chance to make a killing. ba' 2 TT, bet ny life she isn't ne auaeu 'ss : "she may be trying to save ms iis' d bn, she isn't playing his games : He said aloud: q will. MT. hea.cn am if you will let me do 1t as part 2 .,