The Press., 1914-08-12

'I cannot leave here yet.' he said.
 He watched the chauffeur turn the car around in the narrow street: then he went slowly back. He made his usual round, stopping to chat with some of his patients.
 The next morning at dawn the wo- man in No. 20 reused again. and the surgeon sat beside her.
 This time she could lift her hand. and she extended it toward him.
 Have l been hurt. Jack?" she asked.
 "Yes, Nell" he answered.
 Did the horse throw meP"
 In a flash the man understood that she had recognized without remember. ing and that in her mind she was back on the ranch where he had first met her.
 "Am l badly hurt?" she continued.
 ''YOu are just shaken up"
 "I'm tired" she said and slept with her face toward the light.
 The fourth morning he sat in his old place beside her. and she asked:
 "Where did you get my nurseT'
 "I sent for her"
  when have horrible dreams and think that l have lived years and years without you. Jack. Then l call her. and she comforts me-"
 Do you dream that, NellT
 "Yes But 1t cannot ever be. dear Don't you remember what l told you the night we became engagedT'
 When he spoke his voice was full of suppressed pain.
 "You told me. dear. that you loved me SD that If we ever drifted apart" the words had long pauses between them-"you would drift back to me-tO die"
 "Yes." she said and slept.
 The surgeon had performed three Op erations at the hospital of the Sisters of Mercy. and 1t was 8 in the evening before he got back to the patient in No. 20
 In the corridor Miss Ashton met him with the chart. He scanned 1t si' lently.
 When was the last temperature taken?" he asked. At 6. 1t Is slowly rising"
 Does she know she Is wOrse?"
 "I don't think so. She Is calm and very quiet"
 At he sat alone with her while the nurse rested.
 'T want to look at yOu," he said. eff you can endure the light" He moved the shade from the cleo tric bulb. and she raised her eyes to his wonderful eyes. with ring of deep violet around the outer rims of the gray iris.
 Are you betterT"
 No"
 The brave eyes never faltered. but mist of tears came over them.
 '1 know now, JOhn." she said. ''the dream is the fact"
 He held her to him.
 II love you. Nell"
 The swinging light made queer, mOv- ing shadows around the room.
 Later the house doctor met him on the stairs.
 .'Internal hemorrhage. isn't itf" he asked
 "I fear sO.'
 Toward morning the nurse called him. When he entered No. 20 the pa tient was raised slightly in bed.
 Were you Asleep?" she asked.
 No. l don't sleep any mOre." he an- swered wiStfully. ..' The nurse went out and closed the door "why didn't you write to me?'' she asked A "Why. Nell. wrote and wrOtev and8 at last ! went hack to find you" They could hear the ring of RV tient's bell and soft footsteps hurryTng along the corridor. sa s. "It was father" she said. Jose wanted to marry me. The ranch " e-c mOrtgaged to Jose. Then after yCd left father died. and l went to my aunt in Denver" A look of cOntentment was settling oyer her face, Sm0othing out the lines of pain between the eyes. which bore expression of extreme agony.
 Another hour passed silently Then , he asked:
 Did you know me when you oper ated?"
 The surgeon Shuddered.
 'I did not see your face till 1t was nearly over Nell. and them
 Don't call any one" she said when Me lifted her to ease the pain. 'I think I am going to sleep. and this''-she smiled softly "is what drifted hack for"
 The sunbeam that crept through the closed blinds Stalked slowly along the wall until it touched the head of her bed
 Then the surgeon folded her hands and. like a man grown old. grOped out