The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-01
copyright, 1910. by Associated Liter
RAT airy Prcss.)

4
airy Frcss)
Train is--pride OF the Prsther sys-
tem--left the tracks at the curved en-
trance to the Moorstown tunnel. and
resoauteiy tried to plough its way
through the rock.
steven Larkln. after extricating him.
self from the aepris OF the last Pull
man. found himself with broken "Fist
and baaly damaged side.
My good ieliow," he called. Lar
kin was AN actor. My good fellow,
come here" A bearded rustic. gaping
ST some little distance away, hurried
forward.
lis there a doctor hereabonts|
None nlgner tnan eight miles.
Fl cant continue this way, COM
piaineo i-arhlH, POPULARITY The NUMB
ness Of the suaden break was COM
u,encing to Gle away, and the aeep'
thropbing pain substituting itsei.
brought with IL a disgusting nausea
met much you can't" contributed
the other. "itn be hours before the
tracks clear enough for trains 10
ccme and 20 on. Best thing you can
do | reckon, Is to stop here, ana -
ali avaricious CLEAN erept into the eyes
of tie iocaiite-'tll use you as well
a. anyone, and for as little money.
iusriff -frsrrf my irotfse the third GA -taeI
right hand side of the road, II want
70 go down there and stay tto-n night
Doctors will be In soon from all
around; I'll see that you get one. MY
daughter will come to the door. Tell
her who you are, and that i sent you.
and for her to give you the spare
room. The Moorstown man turned
away.
In the gathering dusk of the evening
Iarkin made comprehensive survey
or the badly dilapidated train. the
coaches OF which, strewn along oy
the rails. were here and there being
eaten into by thin threads OF flame
Sweat -grinsed employees OF the road
and Moorsfowners co-operated IN res
cuing the wounded and dead. II was
the most disastrous wreck Of the year.
I.arkin, weak, limp and In the throes
Of an acute pain growing keener each
instant. stumbled down the road in
the direction given him by the native
Al the door Of small, gray house.
with a white gravel path leading up to
lt---at path dividing a spacious yard
with the bloom of spring In It's syFinga
and lilac bushes, its long beds OF pan
sies and lilies Of the vailey--Larkin
stopped He tapped at the door.
The slim girl answering the sum-
mons was the very antithesis OF the
image in the mind of the man. She
had dark eyes. keenly sensitive 70
the predicament of the tall youth
with the set Jaws. A firm little hand
assisted him to enter.
.Your father, gaSped Larkin, now
{ ~
Or his hurt wrist and wounded side.
syour father sent me here"
From the great easy chair In the
prettity furnish parlor. the actor.
senses self-centered by pain. failed
to notice the start of surprise foi-
lowed by the little smile curving the
perfect lips of the girl
II win do the best / can for you"
said the girl simply Il am giad
you came. Others---and a physician
will be here shortly
The parIor door closed softly as the
xfrI went to answer the door. The
nretty house dress and the firm. easy
carriage would have impressed Larkin
III any other time.
.Other victims" explained his hos
ts,ss returning. 7.tMy----Ar---ouF hnnge
Il small. There Will be no more pa
tients, but the doctor Is here and
he will be In to see YOU. I.arkin
nsreutpd n glass of some stimulating
beverage and closed hts eyes for a
brief moment
The door opened again, Careful
fingers touched the broken wrist or
the young man But representative.
the youth instantly came out OF his
daxe and little lines OF pain furrowed
his strong face.
aI'm." murmured the elderly ply
stefan. bad break" The doctor
clipped his sentences. Too bad.
Careful now" He examined the
wrist. Suddenly his two hands closed
over the hurt member. There was an
audible snap and a smothered scream
from Larkin. The wrist was set.
you must not move for Il week,
cautioned the medicine man. after an
examination. You have three broken
ribs. and. although l have bandaged
them neatly. ] won't be accountable
for what happens II you attempt to
70. Your hostess can youch for
fhfs--svill be perfectly willing for you
to remain, although should not ask
IL II there was a hospital. sanatorium
or decent hotel In the community
J.arkin. too spent to protest, lay
back on his pillow He had been put
10 bed By the determined physician.
Thanks to sedative. he closed his
eyes--and slept
Before the week was done the house
was cleared OF patients with the one
exception OF Larkin. He stayed on.
Every day he was fearful lest the
physician announce that he was we'll
enough to resume his interrupted
journey.
Where Ia your father" asked the
actor one morning gazing at tn
girl with appreciative eyes. II
haven't seen him since the day of the
wreck"
III. why. ne isn't here HOW"
sinns1aered the crimsonfaced maid.
Shs> i.lrried from the room. Larkin
folk wed her exit with surprised eyes
Hmm" muttered the man. Il
ns,H14r- What I've said 10 hurt her
feelings. Come to think of II. the
old chap didn't look very honest.
Aayia e ~ in jail" But when the
GAsi returned to the room the hush
was gobe from her cheeks. and the
was i.ef usual composed SELF. ''he
subject was not brought UP again.
E4arkin, by complaining about nom
existent pains. kept the doctor from /
allowing him to leave the house.
He and his nurse became Gloss
friends. There was nothing OF the
rustic about her. Her mind was Keen
and broad She was well informed.
I4arkin delighted in telling her tAleh
az the stage; stories OF his own atrug~ !
GieB and the conservative success fol- j
lowing. Min Nun---this wAA her
name--foilowed him with large eyes
and 4 wonderful interest.
VI have always cared for the stage"
tuoxe aatd iynr.ty and brought him