The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-04-29
1.-THE BEST MAN"

Hiui. iit tore tne 1ulSe nhlf
roughly from him, and, stuffing
II into his pocket. filled a glass
and went back to the couch. His
chin and upper lip smarted, but
he did not notice il, nor know
that the mark of the plaster was
all about his face. lie only knew
how dear had grown the girl
whom he had never seen till three
short hours before.
He slipped his arm tenderly un-
der her head and tried to raise IL
so that she could drink. but the
white lips did not move nor at
tempt to swallow.
Then panic seized him. Sup
pose she was dying? Forgetting
his own need of quiet and obscur-
ity, he laid her gently back upon
the couch again, and rushed out
to the conductor.
is there n doctor on board, or
have you any restoratives? There
is a lady" lie hesitated and
the color rolled freshly into his
anxious face. That is, my wife
is ill-unconscious."
The conductor looked at him
sharply. He had sized them up
as wedding party when they
came down the platform toward
the train, 'The young mans blush
confirmed his superstition.
"i'll see,' he said, briefly. Go
back to her, and I'll bring some
one"
Gordon went back and a mo-
ment later the conductor hurried
in, fC owed by grave, elderly
man with a professional air.
The physician knelt beside the
girl, applying restoratives, until
the blue eyes opened.
She looked about bewildered,
then closed her eyes YEARLY, as If
she wished they had not brought
her back, and lay still.
The physician ordered the por-
ter to make up the berth imme-
diately. Then with skillful hands
and strong arms he laid the young
girl in upon the pillows and made
her comfortable,
"She'd better not be disturbed
any more than is necessary to-
night" said the doctor, as he
pulled the pretty cloth travelling
gown smoothly down about the
girls ankles. Don't let her yield
to any nonsense about taking off
that frock for fear she'll rumple
ii. She needs to lie perfectly
quiet. It's a case of utter exhaus-
ton. and | should say a long
strain of some kind-anxiety,
worry, perhaps" He looked
keenly at the sheepish bride
groom. Has she had any
trouble?"
Gordon lifted honest eyes.
Pm afraid So" he answered,
contritely.
well, don't let her have any
more" said the elder man brislsly.
"She's a very fragile bit of wom-
anhood, young man, and you II
have to handle her carefully or
she'll blow away. Make her hap
by, young man! People can't have
too much happiness in this world.
It's the best thing, after all, to
keep them well. Don't be afraid
to give her plenty
The kindly physician, the assid-
uous porter. and the brusque but
good-hearted conductor went away
at last, and Gordon was left with
his precious charge. The light was
turned low and the curtains of the
berth were a little apart. He could
see the dim outline of drapery
about her, and one shadowy hand
lying limp at the edge of the
couch, in weary relaxation.
He locked the door. so that no
one should disturb the sleeper,
and went into the little private
dressing-room. For a full minute
he stood looking into the mirror
before him, at his own weary,
soiled face. and wondering il he,
Cyril Gordon, had really done in
the last twelve hours all the
things he was crediting himself
with having done. How could he
have helped them? What ought
he to do now? Had he spoiled
the life of the sweet woman out
there in her berth, or could he
somehow make amends?
After minute he rallied, to
realize that his face vas dirty. He
washed the marks of the adhesive
plaster away, and then, not salts
fled with the result, he brought
his shaving things from his suit
case and shaved. Then he slipped
back into the darkened drawing
room and stretched himself wear
lily on the couch, which, according
to his direction, was not made up,
but merely furnished with pillows
and a blanket.