Las Vegas optic., 1914-09-04

asked for him. 1t was not seaslckhess'
but violent pain somewhere. She
was on deck, tucked In corner away
back by the smoke-stacks. The SHIPS
doctor got his coat and small medl-
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, Tor,
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-
xirely relaxed. In reality, the moon
was very bright, and. while 1t shone
full in Doctor Surges 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.
I'll 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 a very different effect.
He started percepubly, 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, "Gol Col" pitiably; but, In
stead. Doctor Surge seized her white
wrists and dragged them down, and
5ust as the match filckered 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
"Is 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-
Tusal, 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
thoritatively, and the woman thrilled
the use of the familiar diminutive
he opened her mouth obediently, anc
beyed him.
Then the doctor silently stepped be
hind her, and gently, reverently place.
the tips of the fingers of each hant
upon her forehead. He felt the hail
against his skin.
Slowly he began the soothing mo
tion 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 were ideally
happy-happy as only true lovers can
be who believe that their love-dream
soon will become life-dream. Then
{ a millionaire sutor had appeared. and,
In a moment of weakness. goaded by
an INSCRIPTIONS and avaricious moth
.er, Bob had sold herself.
rs it better?" he asked at length
"A little," she answered, and he
sensed the sigh which followed
MAY talf now?"
For a moment-be quick" she re-
piled in wearied and distracted tones
where lurked note of desperation.
There is but one question, if YOU
answer 1t right. Are you happy?"
He bent his face over her as he
spoke, and ceased the backward move
ment of his hands, leaving them sta
tionary against each side of her head
He saw q convulsive shudder seize heI
on the very heels Of his query and g
sound of mortal hurt came from hel
throat
You are not happy, Bob-oh, Bob!
Entreaty, Indignation and menac'
ran burning through the sentence.
she was not happy, there was livin
cause, and he--he adored every atoI
of herl
Il deserve it-Erici" she said.
"You are not to blame. have neve
blamed you, even at the first Yo
were coerced-fooled. Your heart wa
hoodwinked. Where is he-Trevanon !?
"Aboard-in his room"
Where are you going?"
Monte Carlo"
where have you been? Why hav,
Enot seen you?"
He made me keep to our cabin.
did not know why-untli a few mo
1nents ago. He must have known yol
were here, though he did not tell me
That's why he has kept me in. To
might | felt was sitting. and my necl
hurt so. l had to come out for air
and told him so. did not dream the
ships doctor could be-"