The Washington times., 1914-01-16
THE HOUR OF CONFLICT
By A. HamtonGbbS eeegZEges z4a By gEaak 4 Mgns CO.
Cheade&

, habit of taking of his pince-nez every
other minute and joining the tips of his
| long, thin fingers. His clothes were al
ways very neat, and he wore a little red
button in his buttonhole and attended
church on Sundays in a silk hat and
boWed formally when the villagers sa-
luted him-Quite unconscious of the fact
that they exchange humorous glances as
soon as his back was turned.
He was, however, a most devoted hus-
cend. His wife, who ran to fat and
wore the most amazing bonnets was the
grande dame of the small community.
Everywhere she walked she was sur
rounded with halo of great Stateliness
and entity. The doctor treated her with
the greatest affection, coupled with an
Old-fashioned Difference and courtesy
that were very charming.
1t was a matter of time, patience, ana
constant attention, he said, and he
gave the abDe mis- assurance that he
forget altogether. indeed-as to the Eng
lishman's s having thrown hiInGelf into
The sea. II was a point nest ce pas,
which concerned no one but himself, but
to offer his warm Fluctuations TO NJ.
rAbbe.
The able accepted them in the spirit
in which they were offered, and walked
down with the doctor to the gate. Then
You think, monsieur he said, that
to send him to the hospital in Boul-
ogne?''
No, no-but no." NJ. Gonsard shook
his head. He is very well where he is
You and will make a new man of him
without having to bother about the
hospital. will come in again during
the morning" He gave the able fare
WELL raised his hat, and walked away.
Au revoir, monsieur said the able
and he turned back toward the house
1n~Hf
lett no after effects Of his strenuous
midnight swim. The few hours sleep
had thoroughly refreshed him mentally
as well as physically. For when he
came out of the old stone church from
saving his daily mass at Z O'Clock, which
was attended by nearly every woman in
the parish. and many of the men. he
wondered at the extraordinary twist his
mind had taken during these hours of
darkness, and came to the conclusion
that the excitement of the rescue, the
surprise of finding Everard, and the
fatigue following the effort OF carrying
him nearly half mile had shaken him
for the time. He dismissed the whole
thing definitely and forever.
II was a new responsibility which
faced him, and he thanked God for hav-
ing Therese to rely on. The masterful
way in which she had taken ;hings in
hann ever since he brought the Eng
lish1nan in showed him a new side of
her character which he had never sus-
pected. So he prepared himself to play
second fiddle to her.
She, on her side, realized that in the
face of illness she was the stronger, ana
she ordered the able about told him to
fetch things, commanded him out of the
sick room when she had snatched Ii
hearty meal and resumed her position
as watcher. She made a mastery head
nurse, and the priest smilinglv obeyed
her in all humility They played quite
a little comedy, these two, to which
pompous old NJ. Gonsard all uncon-
point the abbe was unyialdi'lg He was
going to sit up an night. That was
Therese threw up ner hands. II will
never permit il 1t is for me, the wom-
an, to sit up.'e
ION the contrary" said the abbe,
that is the mans task will sit with
him at night"
But NJ. TAbbe, it is not right!' cried
Therese. You have your work to do in
in the sick room. 1t is hot possible for
you to remain up"
Ma bonne Therese, suppose he takes
a turn for the worse; If I am asleep,
who is to run for the doctor"
81 can call you"
But il T am up, that IS quicker, and
It may be matter where time is of the
greatest Importance.
Then let US take il in turns. Let me
rest until o'clock and then yoI go 10
mo, that is not right. will stay up"
But. NJ, FAbbe-' And then il be-
gan all over again. Incn by inch she
fought her ground, but il vas in VAIN.
The able routed her with his absolute
firmness in :he matter, and she was
compelled to give in with what grace
she could. She made uD for il by as
Stunning supreme command in the day
time, SO that the able could be free to
rest after he had completed his parish
duties. She might be old and fat and
fussy, but she had a heart IF gold.