The Ordway new era., 1913-04-04

were brought in, and l scanned one
after another in search Of some new
twist or turn Of the story Of the previ.
Gus afternoon. The more conservative
journals were inclined to make light
Of the scare. "Mr. Cameron" said
one, ceased to be active in the affairs
of the Crystal Consolidated over two
years ago. II he be i'll. which is by NO
means certain, the fact can have but
little real significance SO far as the
company Of which he is the largest
shareholder Is concerned. 1t may be
stated on the best authority that Mr..
Cameron's shares have never been
used ,speculatively. and that even in
the event Of his death they could not
by any possibility come on the market.
for the reason that he has provided
trust fund. by will, for the benefit Of
his niece. and that they are q part of
that fund"
The sensational press. Of course.
still insisted that the Glass King was
in a New England sanitarium. though
they had failed to locate the institu-
ton. Despite my alarm I smiled at
the thought of how their afternoon
editions would have to eat the leek, as
the Welsh say.
The papers finished. grew restless.
I desired constant news from the sick
room, and lacking 1t, roamed about
the house. in nervous unease. my brain
busy with conjecture. forming one
theory after another, and Diminishing
each as readily. The situation was a
tantalism. The answer to all the ques-
tions which had absorbed me for
weeks lay dormant In the brain Of the
man sleeping beyond that closed door.
Theories. therefore, were now more
futile than ever. The one accomplish.
ment to be asked was the arousing of
an intellect. the stirring Of memory.
DR.. Massey had promised that when
Cameron awakened mental clarity
would be restored. that he would be
able to answer questions with intelli-
genoe.
1t Is hard to explain why doubted
this. think 1t must have been some
thing saw in those dull. vacuous
eyes. when first looked into them un.
der the pale light of the white-globed
electric street lamps. II had been
forced to Identify Cameron by those
eyes alone, I should have said that
this man was not he. They were so
different. lacking all the expression of
the Cameron eyes knew. And yet
made no question as to his identity. l
knew him. despite this: knew that
strong chin and jaw. which spelled de-
Termination in two syllables; knew his
broad. generous nose. and his high in
tellectual forehead. These points Of
recognition were SO convincing. that I
could afford to ignore the eyes had
never seen before and the wasted
frame and the shrunken. unsteady
legs.
At brief intervals I consulted the
clocks. 1t was marvellous how the
time dragged. And that nurse! Would
he never have an errand outside the
suite? had told him I should spend
the morning in the house. and that
wished to be informed Of the slightest
change in his patient. must conclude.
therefore, that Cameron was still sleep
ing, that Bryan was still watching.
From the fact that Evelyn had not
yet appeared drew a measure Of con-
ISOLATION. II could have tidings OF
even the slightest improvement In
Cameron before meeting her. 1t would
aid me in the assumption Of confidence
upon which I had determined.
At ten minutes past eight was
searching the encyclopedias in the
library for information on the subject
of brain concussion. Already had
followed the trail through three vol
umes from Brain" to Nervous Sys-
tenn" and from Nervous System" to
"Concussion." when an opening door
caused me to turn eagerly. Mr. Bryan,
the nurse, In a white uniform such as
hospital doctors wear, stood on the
threshold. The next moment / had
risen from my crouching position be-
fore the bookcase and had met him
across the room with anxious
inquiry.
"Mr. Cameron awoke a quarter Of an
hour ago." he told me. "His power of
speech has returned. He asked me
where he was and what had happened.
I told him he was in his own house,
and that he had met with an accident"
"Yes. yes," hurried him. "And
what then? Did he inquire for any
one?"
mo. For all Of q minute he lay
looking about the room without anoth-
er word. Then. in a puzzled way, he |
repeated: My own house!' and asked, |
Where is this house? And I told him. |
He did not seem to recognize the room !
at ALL"
"Is he still awake?"
"Oh. no. DR.. Massey left directions
that he was to be given some nourish-
raw egg and milk-and then
powder to make him sleep. He |
turned on his side after that. and in
less than three minutes was In a deep
once more"
was annoyed that had not been