The wageworker., 1910-04-01
DR.. Perry closed his office door with

holiday the hOuSekeeper said. You
must hurry, sir, or you'll miss your
train"
Haste and excitement lent anima-
tion to face usually wooden in ex-
preston. Always pleasure to visit
his mother, DR.. Perry ioyfully antici-
pated the present holiday because the
girl he was to marry was to be
guest. also. He was stepping into the
automobile when his housekeeper
called him:
'Dr. Raymond wants you at the
telephone
Reluctantly he turned back.
Can you come to me at once. Jack?
I am in desperate trouble. Gordon is
dying"
The boyish excitement vanished as
DR.. Perry answered.:
II will be with you as quickly as
possible"
"Dying!" he pondered as he sped
onward. "Incredible! He was doing
so well last night"
Gordon was friend who had fallen
III at hotel and had been moved to
the doctors house. Raymond was
Jacks best friend. He was greatly
beloved and skillful. with one weak
ness. recurring at long intervals.
Il am In an awful position, Jack"
were the doctors first words. "I know
you will help me. l dare not ask any
one else" With a gesture that told
everything. he pointed at two vials.
The wrong one-I fear I've done for
him!"
cd To r1y hot fhr oY
coholic craving had returned, hence
the mistake. AS they talked they
neared the sfckroom.
you may rely on me. certainly.
Raymond"
Thank you. Nurse may suspect.
but she's loyal"
Jack had talent for rapid dag
nosis. The holiday face was gone;
the physician resumed mastery. The
patient. at first glance. seemed to be
past human aid. Heroic treatment
would be necessary. Raymond and
Nurse Anna felt the relief of trusting
strong will. In the absorption Of
science and the effort to save life,
mother and sweetheart were complete
ly set aside. Now they despaired; !;
again they were rewarded by hope.
At critical moment Dr. Raymond col
lapsed.
Again the work went on. At mid
night servant handed Jack tele-
gram. Acute anguish convulsed his
countenance as he read:
Mother dangerously Ill. Wants you.
DR.. Montgomery with her.
"ELINOR."
HIS precious mother dying, needing
him. and he pledged to help a stranger!
1t was terrible. If he could but wake
Raymond. Going to the bed he shook
him. only to see him doze again under
the influence of the narcotic.
God help me! I've burned my
Ships" Jack groaned. "Oh! Mother
mother! l gave my word! You would
bid me keep it,
| He sent a message:
Impossible to leave till morning
Critical case. Love to mother. ASH
Montgomery to stay. JACK"
| An hour later came a telegram from
his fiancee:
Come at once. Mother worse.
| AGNES"
| Great beads stood on the sons fore
head as he ministered to the stranger
Suddenly he responded to the treat
ment.
In the library of the homestead
Agnes Armitage paced. paused at the
French window to peer into the night
longing for the rumble of wheels bring
ing her fiance.
"Elinor!" she raved. "This is cruel
| /
refuse to come to his dying motheri
critical case indeed! Any one coult
attend to stranger There is abso
iutely no excuse for him."
The girls went again to the mother
room. No one needed Agnes She re
turned to the library. woefully disap
pointed In the man she loved. Cruel
she deemed him. In their brief en-
gagement there had been one flaw
Jealousy-not personal but of his work
OF the absorption, the power of cor
centration that excluded her. Foolis
little woman! Had she but known ,if
better she would have rejoiced that
great ambition possessed him.
Above. the stricken mother la,
sinking. Always her eyes watched tn
door,
The last train will bring him. motf
err" Elinor said. softly.
take this" Dr. Montgomery coaxef
1T will give you strength to Sc
Jack"
With an effort she took the medicin
she had refused before. It stimulate
the failing heart.
III we can carry her over the hou
when vitality is lowest ! will hay
hope." the old doctor whispered t
Elinor. The chill. gray dawn cret
through the easement. Birds twittere,
The melancholy that comes after
nights watching gripped the hearts {
the nurses. Elinor feared that tn
grayness was creeping over her mot
er's face. At the window she listene
All! Wheels on the gravel!