The Dolores star., 1910-01-14

paper. Tney gave II TO MIN and left
the table. Their departure left him
alone. But he gave no sign. He un-
folded his napkin and spread It across
his knees before he took up the pa
per. He opened II and glanced dsUn
the column.-He had known before he
looked.-In the list of those killed
"HeleQ Gordon, Chicago"
He did not read the details of tho
accident. He merely noted the place
where 1t occurred. Then he folded
the paper and gave his order for
breakfast. II he ate little. no one
knew IT, He took plenty of time for
1t. He listened to the discussion Of
the accident that went on as the
hoarders. one after another. came in
to breakfast.
When he left the house he knew
that he had exactly half an hour to
report his absence at the office and
catch the east-bound express. 1t was
more than enough. He did not want
to be alone and think. He saw before
him long years in which he would
have time to think. To-day he must
go to her. He might be needed. He
had said that he would come IL she
needed him, and that he should see
her soon-"I shall see you soon"
How the wheels caught up the words
and tossed them back to him. They
reiterated with clanking monotony-
81 shall see you soon-I shall see you
SOON" Underneath the rattle and
roar, between the shrieks of the en-
gine. in the midst of the conversation
around him. he heard them with aw-
full distinctness. and wondered vague
ly II he should go mad before he
reached her.
He found her after q short search
He was directed to a small house, a
little distance from the scene of the
wreck. When he announced his er-
at him closely.
"If your name is Derring. have
something for you." she said. She
disappeared for q moment and re-
turned with small parcel. She nand-
ed 1t to him.
He turned 1t over in his hand.
There was no writing on it. Are you
sure 1t is for me!" he asked, doubt
fully.
"She was not strong enough to d.
rect 1t. But she told me your name
just before she died at daybreak. She
said you would be sure to come. and
] must give 1t to you"
That he would be sure to come
Yes, she had known. He turned abb
ruptly to the window and looked out
across the fiat. monotonous country.
it yet. He held 1t in his hand. she
was not able to direct it." The first
tears filled his eyes.
When at last he undid the parcel
Seth's ring flashed in the sunlight.
Underneath 1t was a small folded slip
OF paper. His fingers trembled a lit
tie as they smoothed the crumpled
lines: "Loved-Ole.-be brave. 1
would gladly haye lived for you. But
1t was not to be. shall come back
to you If l can. But If not" The
last words struggled down the page
and were lost
But II not" Derring crushed the
paper in his hand and turned to leave
the house.
Don't you want to see her. sir?"
He looked at the woman blankly,
stupidity. Without word he turned
towards the door she indicated. 1t
closed behind him and they were
alone together once more. He had not
thought her face would be SO peace
ful-nor SO far away. He could not
understand how she could seem SO
far away. She was here, close beside
him. He could touch her. He put
out his hand and softly stroked her
cheek. He did not bend to kiss the
quiet face. She was too far away for
kisses. "She would come back to him
If she could-But II not" Good God!
How was he to bear it? He turned
swiftly away. He could not stand
there-near her-with that mocking,
Unreasonable distance between them.
He went straight from the house to
the office Of the superintendent and
offered his services in caring for the
injured. A surgeon was about to
start on his rounds. Derring had been
detailed to help him. The first pa
tfent was a young man about his own
age. The leg was to be amputated
just above the knee. Derring held his
hand while the operation was prepar-
ing. speaking to him now and then
and wiping the Precipitation from his
forehead. When all was done and the
white sheet was being drawn smooth
" in place once more, be struggled to
consciousness, reaching cut his hand