Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-01

as much as possible. / have given Geof
fries special charge over them. They
will be told at the last moment. There
is no use in spelling what little rest they
have had" He drew out pencil and
began to scribble dispatch on the back
of an old letter Il advise YOU gentle
men TO do likewise he said Very
often piece Of paper gets through where
a man cannot, and 1t is our bounden duty
to supply the morning periodicals with as
much news as possible.
For some minutes there was no sound
save that of the pencils scrawling the last
messages of men with the seal OF death
already stamped upon their foreheads-
All three had forgotten Travers. and yet
from the moment they had begun to
speak he had been awake and listening.
He sat up now. leaning upon his elbow
Nicholson he said. family.
Nicholson turned and came TO his side.
.'Hullo.'' he said. Awake. are YOU?
How are you?"
Travers made no immediate answer: he
took Nicholson's hand in a feverish clasp
and drew him nearer.
Il am in great PAIN he said. You
don't need to pretend. / know. The fear
of death has been on me all day. Just
now I am not afraid. Is there no hope?'
you mean-for us? None
TraverS nodded
II heard you talking. but ] wanted to
make sure. 1t has all been my fault
every bit of II. It's decent Of YOU not TO
make me feel il more You are not to
blame-her. You know l tempted her.
made her help me. She isn't responsible.
At any rate. she made a clean breast of
it-that's something to her credit.
didn't want to- never meant to. am
not the sort that repents. But this last
week YOU have been so decent. and Lois
such a plucky little soul-she ought to
has done her best Nicholson. are you
listening? Can you hear what / say? It's
so damned hard for me to talk
II can hear Nicholson said, kindly.
Don't worry about what can't be
helped" In spite OF everything he pitied
the man and his tone showed it.
Travers lifted himself higher cIinging
to the others shoulder. His voice began
to come in rough, uneven jerks
But it can be helped-it must be
helped. Don't YOU see-1 came between
YOU and Lois purposely. From the first
moment you spoke of her I knew that
you loved her-and I wanted her. I never
gave your message. l didn't dare. You
are the sort of man woman cares for
woman like Lois. ! couldn't risk it..
But now-weil. I'm done, and afterward
she will be free
Nicholson drew back stiffly.
You are talking nonsense he said. in
a colder tone. mo one wants you to die
We have no chance Of getting through
this alive.
Travers seized his arm. His eyes shonc
with a painful excitement.
"Yes-yes! he stammered. You have
chance-a sure hope. can save You
can atone. That's what I want. Only
you must help me. j am dying man.
want you To bring me TO the rajah at
once. Only five minutes with him that
will he enough. Then he will let you go
he must
Nicholson freed himself rcsohtely from
tho. .liNping hands
You cxaggerate your power he said,
land. besides, what you ask is an i'm
possibility
lie turned away, but Trav.rs caught his
perate strength.
Then II you will not help me-send
Miss Cary TO me- he pleaded. II must
speak to her.
| Nicholson looked down into the dying
| face with a new interest He had no
suspicion of the burden with which
Travers soul was laden. and yet he was
| conscious now that the matter was
| urgent and of an Importance which he
could not estimate.
| II will tell her." he said. Stay quiet
| a minute. We have no time to lose.
| Travers nodded and fell back on to his
| rough couch. His eyes closed and he
seemed to sleep. but as Beatrice knelt
| down by his side he reused himself and
| looked at her with the intensity Of man
| who has gathered his last strength FOR a
| last great purpose.
~ am dying he whispered. thickly:
Il know II and I don't care. I am past
caring. But before die want to atone;
1 want. II can. to save Lois. care for
her in my poor way and / would like her
to be happy. Are you listeningT
II am listening" Beatrice answered,
gravely do you think 1 could close my
ears when you speak OF atonement?"
| He clutched her hand.
| You would be glad to atone for all the
| mischief we have done?"
| "I would give my life
lis the colonel there? I can't see clear
| ly. Colonel. / want you to hear what
have to say
| Col. Carmichael turned.
fThis is no time" he said, sternly. and