Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-05
for awhile intent1y; then, shading her eyes
from the light, he took out a letter:


You've been very good. Dear to write every
day. I'm glad things are going well. You never
mention that DIR. Rudd now who was trying
to turn the men against you and drugging them
| with morphine. Has he left? Mother is stronger.
and the doctor has appointed next Wednesday
for us to go. l hope I've answered all your
questions. I've increased the nourishnlent
every day just as you said Your letters are
so eager. What does it mean? Oh, Dick. tell
| me! cant trust in YOU L
@Cook my supper, Myry." !.
The door burst open, and in staggered
Mooney Gordon thrust the letter into his
pocket. Mooney turned, his bloated face
purple with rage. The doctor glanced at the
woman. She still slept; but there was look
about the pinched features, a sound to the
heavy breathing, that filled him with strong
hope, "a belief that when she awoke the
vacant expression would be gone. Then, if
he won, it might be But now this drunken
beast had risen up to spoil it all. Why
should creature like that live? Why? He
felt his senses reel, felt his body springing
from his chair Why? Why? Involunta-
rily his hand flew to his pocket and touched
the letter. Il can trust in you her last
words His hand sank to his side, and he
looked up calmly Mooney threatened and
swore; but Gordon held his gaze without a
word. Then suddenly long knife flashed
in the air.
think ye're goin' to SHAY here, do We?
Think ye're goin' to cure Myry. Ye-ye
amt! She amt no good. I'm goin' to kill
ye-kill ye BOTH and with the cunning of a
maniac in his eyes he came toward the bed.
supper first" He crept forward slowly.
you're SO hungry Mooney-you want
One bound and he had seized the uplifted
hand. Deity tripping Moneys leg, he
forced him backward to the floor and held
him by the throat that he might make no
sound
aHi-yi- hoop-la! Little Mister Doctor
beata Mooney Williamo!" The cry swelled
through the door as it was thrown back, and
Jim Strong strobe in.
"This time l seen it frae the beginnin'.
keekit thru the window. thocht Mooney
wud be interferin' wi We. All getta backa!'
he called, waving the crowd of Italians away
from the door. aIll bring him cot the moo
keep them quiet: she's waking up"
When he had shut the door softly the
woman stirred and sighed heavily, then
opened her eyes.
mooney amt back, is he? l thought l
heared him bawlin' for supper
SDon't worry, Mrs Williams He's not
coming back Do you remember what you
did with the buttercups?'
3Buttercups! What you talkin' bout,
Man? There amt no buttercups in winter"
NO. said Gordon eagerly, joyfully. mo,
they don't grow in winter, do they, Mrs.
Williams? Of course mott" And then for
one little second he turned away his head.
TT was with difficulty that the doctor passed
through the village that night. 1t was
payday, and eighty Italians had come down
the creek for drink. Like wildfire the news
of the attempted murder was spreading, and
already they were preparing to take the
criminal to Charleston. 3Hoop-la! Little
Mister Doctor" rang out necessarily as
Gordon wedged his way toward his own
cabin. One thought filled his brain. He
must reach Margaret before Wednesday,
must prove what he now dared believe.
Sticking under his door was blue en-
velop. Mechanically he went in and opened
it. His forehead burned and his fingers
quivered from the long strain. Before We'd
nesday-yes, he would! His eyes fell upon
the open page:
You requested to appear before the
board of directors to answer charges for con-
duct unbecoming physician and man. The
board will meet Tuesday evening, February 10,
in the village hall.
He glanced at the calendar-February9 9.
There was tap at the door. 1t was Jim.