The Marshall republican., 1912-09-13
CHAPTER XII.

Jecs.
Il was two weeks later when Ralph
Stanton first reopened conscious eyes,
this time upon the immaculate drearf.
ness of a hospital room. A linen-clad
nurse stood beside him, and at the
foot Of the bed was a gentleman UNI
mistakably medical.
Better, Mr.. Stantcn7" oueried the
latter. breezily professional.
"F1oyd7" Stanton whispered, with
difficulty. where ia Jes Toyd7"
The doctor surveyed him oddly. hes.
ltating. But the nurse stopped over
him. her expression altering to impul-
sive compassion.
well. very well" she assured hasti.
~. "Jes Floyd has gone home. Try
to rest; try not to think OF things"
He had known the truth before he
asked the question. Stanton quietly
turned his face TO the wall and faint
cd. being very weak.
In his next conscious interval, he
put another demand.
Miss F1oyd7 She 10 aliveY"
yes, oh yes" the nurse heartily Of.
firmed. Yes. indeed"
Once more Stanton turned to the
wall. Jessica had not died when Jes
did, then, according to her prediction;
the tie Of kinship had not held 30 far.
She was IN the little apartment. alone.
Later In the night his steady, silent
gaze drew the attendant 10 his side.
what IL 1T You are suffering
more!"
ASK her to stop singing" he
begged. "it wasn't my fault. Ask her
70 stop"
The nurse took . glass from the
table.
There 10 no one singing. Mr.. Stan.
ton. no one at all. Drink this" .
mo one? Not out there In the
Aarkf"
mo"
He avsrtsd HE gase. and remained
mute. unprotesting. After that he
never lost memory again: not csen
In sleep. for he dreamed. Day and
night. hour after hour. Jessica's mo
~notonous song boat through his sick
bra1n-
loft. In the stiiy night
His nights were not still, always
when he closed his eyes he heard
some one sobbing. Jessica Floyd weep
Ing for her brother.
But gradually tho last traces Of do
tirium faded out. Slowly his superb
health reasserted its dominion and
brought Stanton back TO normal life.
The fractured bones knit. tho other
injuries healed.
He never spoke royd's name a sec
ond time. Nor did any one mention II
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 70
Victory after the Mercury's wreck,
came TO visit him more than once. q
blonde. CHEEKY presence; ~ did the
driver Of the machine on the bridge
who owned his own life TO stanton's
cool fsaricssness and skill. Mr.
Green brought his fussy coincidence
But none Of them alluded to JET
Floyd. There was q curious constrain'
that marked them all. an air Of watch
fully keeping silent upon some sub
ject constantly present In their minds
Stanton looked them through and
through with his hollow blue-blaci
eyes, and asked nothing.
Il was two months before he coult
leave the hospital. Winter. had shu
in. raw and bleak. The day nxed TO
his departure. the doctor fingered Il
bidding him good-by.
IT have not wanted you 70 be wor
Yied, Mr.. Stanton" he said bruskly
"Not on any account. But from tn
fact that your frst question was 'Je
FIoydf' I imagine you fesi some n
sponsibiiity In that matter. May ! asl
where you are goingf"
Before the spoken name stantcl
WINGED. but steadily met The other
lnquisitive eyes.
ITO Miss Floyd" he responded.
The doctor held out a hearty hant
Good. I was sure Of I'll A patieu
shows q lot Of his character to hi
physician. Good luck 70 your
kinda"
How did he know Of unprotected Js'
sica Foydf Stanton YEARLY pondsre
The question ~ he descended 10 ii
carriage. Or rather. how did he knc'
Of Stanton's feeling Of rssponsibiiit
toward hart Tho mechanician NJ
supposed TO take bis chance with u
driver. Perhaps dslirtum had reveals
the close bond Of frisudship bctwee
Floyd and himself.
Al the railroad sta&tcn, Z tall youu
man approached HIM. ~ ~ trai
wtistIsd IN the distance.
ny nans ID Rachards.r - q
hounoeA diGl6ently. you're hard
d your M ~, NJ. Stanton; II thel
= anything 1 a. do Tor you a q
TIP into the c1ty, "a ~ olsd.~
Stanton survsysd him with hian
non-reoognition.
You don't remember mel" q
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