Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-05
CHAPTER XII.

It was two weeks later when Ralph
Stanton first reopened conscious eyes,
this time upon the immaculate dreari.
ness of hospital room. A linen-clad
nurse stood beside him. and at the
foot Of the bed was . gentleman I'M
mistakably medical.
Better, Mr.. stanton?" queried the
latter, breezily professional.
"F1oyd?" Stanton whispered, with
difficulty. Where IL Jes F1oyd?"
The doctor surveyed him oddly. hes
itating. But the nurse stopped over
him, her expression altering to impul.
sive compassion.
well, very we'll" she assured hasti'
ly. "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
ed. being very weak.
In his next conscious interval, ho
put another demand.
"Miss Floyd? She is alive?"
''Yes. oh yes" the nurse heartily IT
frmed. 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 to his side.
What Is II! You are suffering
more!"
ASK &c: IN stop singing" he
begged. 1T wasn't my fault. Ask her
to stop"
The nurse took a glass from the
table.
There IL no one singing. Mr.. Stan.
ton, no one at all. Drink this"
"No one? Not out There in the
dark?"
mo"
He avsrted his gaze. and remained
mute. unprotestins. After that he
never lost memory again; not even
in sleep, for he dreamed. Day and
night, hour after hour, Jessica's mo-
notonous song beat through his sick
brain.
'tOft, In the stiliy 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 the last traces Of de-
lirium 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 Floyd's name q sec
ond time. Nor did any one mention 1t
to him. Tho 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, q
blonde, CHEEKY presence; az did the
driver Of the machine on the bridge
who owned his own life to stanton's
cool fearlessness and skill. Mr..
Green brought his fussy coincidence.
But none OF them alluded to Jes
Floyd There was curious constraint
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 blueblack
eyes. and asked nothing.
It was two months before he could
leave the hospital. Winter had shut
In, raw and bleak The day fixed for
his departure. the doctor fingered in
bidding him sood-by.
81 have not wanted you to be wor.
ried, Mr.. Stanton" he said bruskly.
mot on any account. But from the
fact that your first question was 'Jes
Floyd?' imagine you feel some re
sponsibility in that matter. May ask
where you are going?"
Before the spoken name Stanton
WINGED, but steadily met the others
inQuisitive eyes.
ITO Miss Floyd" he responded.
The doctor held out a 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 Jes-
sica Floyd? Stanton YEARLY pondered
the question as he descended to the
carriage. Or rather, how did he know
Of Stanton'a feeling of rASDOnSfbility