The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-09

| Later IN Inc night his steady, silent
gaze drew the attendant to his side
What is 1t? You are suffering
| ifer. .:sss-==-----=-2
| Ask ner to stop singing" he
/ begged. 1T wasn't my fault Ask
her to- stop"
The nurse took glass from the
table.
There is no one singing. Mr.. Stan
ton, ne one at all. Drink this"
t No one? Not out there in the
dark"
Mo-
lie averted his gaze, and remained
! mute, unprotesting After that he
never lost memory again: not even in
sleep. for he dreamed. Day and night
hour after hour. Jessica's monotonous
/ song bea, through hls-sieh-l brain
"Oft, in the Silly night"
| His nights were not still. always
when he closed his eyes he heard
someone sobbing. Jessica Floyd weep
/ ing for her brother,
But gradually the last traces of de-
| lirium faded ont. Slowly his superb
health reasserted Its dominion and
brought Stanton back TO normal life
The fractured bones knit. the other
| injuries healed
| He never spoke OF F'loyd's name a
second time. Nor did anyone mention
! Il 10 him. The head Of the Mercury
| company came out from New York TO
see him and express cordial sympathy.
George who had driven the Duplex to
victory after the Mercury's wreck,
| came to visit him more than once. a
blond, CHEEKY presence. as did the
driver OF the machine on the bridge
| who owed his own life to Stantons
| cool fearlessness and skill Mr.. Green
| brought his fussy coincidence Hut
none OF them alluded to Jes Floyd.
There was a curious constraint that
marked them all. an air OF watchfully
keeping silen. upon some subject con-
siantly present in theor minds Stan
ton looked them through and through
with his hollow blue black eyes, and
, asked nothing.
| leave the hospital. Winter had shut
in. raw and bleak The day hxed for
his departure, the doctor fingered in
bidding him goodby.
Il have not wanted you TO be wor-
ried. Mr.. Stanton" he said bruskly.
| Not on any account But from the
fact that your first question was 'Jes
| Floyd l imagse you feel some re-
/ spons.bility in that matter. May ask
WneEe you are kOlnE
| Before the spoken name Stanton
WINGED. but steadily met the others
inquisitiv eyes
To Miss Floyd" he responded.
| The doctor held out hearty hand.
Good, ! WAS sure of it. a patient
| shows a lot of his character TO his
physician. GOOD luck to you - all
kinds
How did he know OF unprotected
Jessica Floyd? stanton YEARLY pom
dered the question as he descended to
the carriage. Or rather, how did he
know of atanton's feeling OF respon-
was supposed 20 take his chance with
the driver. Perhaps delirium had re-
vealed the close bond OF friendship,
between Floyd and himself
At the railroad station tall young
man approached him. as the train
whistled in the distance.
My name is Richards ne an
rounced diffidentiy. You're hardly
on your feet vet, Mr.. Stanton: IL there
is anything ] can do for you on the
trip Into the city. I'd be glad
Stanton surveyed him with blank
noa-recogniticn.
~ gu don't remember me-" the
young man tried again. 'JIave YOU
forgotten the cub reporter who fol-
lowed You on the afternoon you were
arrested for speeding your machine in
Pelham Parkway You let your COM
parton give nse=tsfe stors-..sA
Stanton put out his hand. the poig-
nant memory uncomfortable.
IL Yea yes. What: OF if2-'
1T gave me my start. ii meant big
ut for me, and | didn't forget Il.
made the accounts OF the accident a,
the Cup race az easy for Miss Floyd
AZ could. when they came out There
was bound to be some sensational
ism
Thank yea" Stanton made brief
Acknowledgement. There is nothing
that you can do for me-
The train was kissing at the plat
form. but the reporter pursued him a
step farther, --,,
You'll. you'll look after Miss Floyd.
Mr.. Stanton? That's square,"
The driver turned an amazedly re-
santful glance upon his questioner. his
hand on the rail-. But. hardly aware
why. he answered, however giaoially;
Yes, sir"
The reporter beAmed at him, radi.
ant.
II knew IT," he called, above the
roar and clang Of the starting train.
Il knew II was all right"
~ uUiI gray my ARMED ABOVE n
snow patched landscape, nurries of
snow were in the harsh air. Stanton
sat with unseeing eyes directed out the
window. chin in hand. much az he had
found Floyd sitting in tho westbound
train tho night they started for Indi-
anapolis. september sunlight, October
crimson and gold. all gone.
4 delicate fragrance drifted around
aim. there was the frou-frou OF soft
garments as someone took the seat
facing his. Stanton looked UP, and
saw Valerie Carlisle opposite. her
blond fairness framed IN dark velNe&s
and furs, her amber ewes regarding
hira from beneath the shadow Of her
wide pluned hat.
There is nothing at all singular IN
my being here. Mr.. Stanton" she
stated. in her cool, INDECENT voice.
Because / ascertained by telephone
when you intended to leave the hospi-
tai and so arranEd 10 meet you on
the train. Tomorrow 7 start for Eu-
rope, To remain FOR long time. and II
was necessary for me to speak with
you frat. I am sorry 30 see that you
ha.,n been fvightfuliy ILL.,"
You are too good" he answered,
the old aniagoulsn stirring him
strongly. AS you observe. was not
fortunate enough TO fnish myself com
plsteiy III the late wreck"
Espe sometimes feels like that" ah~