Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1914-12-01
FATE SHAPES THINGS
BY EDWARD cARLILE LlTsEY.
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| Surge's door. A lady was ILL., and had
| asked for him. 1t was not seasickness,
but a violent pain somewhere. She
was on deck, tucked in a corner away
| back by the smoke-stacks. The ships
doctor got his coat and small medi-
cine case, and followed his guide down
the long promenade.
This is Doctor Surge, madam.
The stewardess promptly withdrew.
The physician stood bareheaded be-
fore the dim figure in the steamer
chair He could see that a heavy rug
was laid across her feet, reaching half
way to her knees. This was done prob
ably to hold her dress in place, for,
though the night was warm, breeze
was up.
She was dressed in white, her hands
were clasped in her lap, and there was
enough light to see that she was en-.
tirely relaxed In reality, the moon
was very bright, and, while it shone
full in Doctor Surge's face, the woman
in the chair was so placed that she
was temporarily in shadow. The man
stood in an attentive attitude, waiting
for her to speak.
II think | can get along without
you"
The words were little more than a
strained whisper, but, instead Of send
| ing the doctor back to his room, they
had very different effect.
He started perceptibly, muttered
something under his breath, and in an
other moment was on his knees, with
a lighted match in his fingers shield
ing the flame from the wind with
shaking hands and thrusting it toward
the woman's face.
She threw her hands over her eyes,
crying, 60! Col" pitiably; but. in
stead, Doctor Surge seized her white
wrists and dragged them down, and
| just as the match fiickered out he saw
the face he had worshiped for two
years of his life.
Then, still holding her wrists, he put
his other palm to his forehead and
| gripped his temples with burning fin
| ger-tips.
After a while the man raised his
| head
rs 1.-THE old placer" he asked.
She did not speak, but, because he
was much closer now, Doctor Surge
saw her nod.
Then you must let me help you
After that must talk to you"
He did not wait for consent or re
fusal. but turned and opened the little
| black case which had fallen from his
| grasp a short time before.
Take this, Bob" he said quietly but
authoritatively, and the woman thrilled
| at the use of the familiar diminutive
| She opened her mouth obediently, and
| obeyed him.
Then the doctor silently stepped be.
hind her, and gently, reyerently, placed
the tips of the fingers of each hand
upon her forehead. He felt the hair
| against his skin.
Slowly he began the soothing mo.
ton which, coupled with his magnetic
power and the medicine he had given
he knew would soon bring relief.
Neither spoke, but each breast was
full to bursting.
A year ago Bob and he we're ideally
happy-happy as only true lovers can
be who believe that their love-dream
soon will become a life-dream. Then
millionaire sutton had appeared, and
| in a moment of weakness, goaded by
an INSCRIPTIONS and avaricious moth
err, Bob had sold herself.
is it better?'' he asked at length.
"A little" she answered, and he
sensed the sigh which followed
May / talk now?"
For a moment--be quick" she re
piled in wearied and distracted tones
where lurked a note of desperation.
There is but one question, If yol
answer it right. Are you happy"
He bent his face over her as ht
spoke, and ceased the backward move
ment of his hands, leaving them sta
tionary against each side Of her head
He saw convulsive shudder seize he
on the very heels Of his query, and /
sound of mortal hurt came from he
throat.
You are not happy, Bob-oh, Bob!'
Entreaty, indignation and menac'
ran burning through the sentence. |
she was not happy, there was living
cause, and he--he adored every atom
of heri
Il deserve it-Eric!" she said.
you are not to blame. have neve
blamed you, even at the first. Yol
were coerced-fooled Your heart wa.
hoodwinked. Where is he-Treyanon !?
"Aboard-in his room"
Where are you going?"
Monte Carlo"
Where have you been? Why hav'
/ not seen your
He made me keep to our cabin.
did not know why-untli few me
ments ago. He must have known yol
were here, though he did not tell me
That's why he has kept me in. To
night felt was sitting, and my necl
hurt so. I had to come out for ali
and told him so. did not dream tn
ships doctor could be-"
Certainly not, | know But fat
shapes things as she will. We mus
hurry. Tell me-is he kind to your"
She turned her head from him, an
he saw tears glinting under her lashes
Then a wrenching sob struggled fror
her shut lips.
When the sob escaped her she BIZ
came transformed, and at once sa
erect and placed her hand upon tn
shoulder Of the kneeling man Energ
and passion possessed her, an
Kettle stoves and ron kettles at Callani