Evening star., 1914-10-11

of every stick of timber, every spear OF grain,
everything but the ground and the dugout that saved
us. Did quit? Nope. Just built another house
and planted another CROP.
He stopped for BREATH while the acrobats listened
patiently.
That's what got to do-build another house, he
murnbed. "And my crop of stage stuff's good any
more Rope acts is done for I'm goin' back to the
fams-out where there's clean ar-to get well again.
Want to start right away. Amt nothin in putin off
what has to be DONE
But the DOCTOR began Bill Parlow soothngly and
interrupted by the patient who said:
"The doctor be hanged! I'm goin.'
"Sure you are, Teddy agreed Mademoiselle, scowl
ing the acrobas and with her back to the sick man.
gesticulating appeal to hunor him. Sure you are;
but you'll have to rest and get strong before you do
the stunt
IN the cracked mirror the combination wash
stand and dresser he it ALL smiled satirically,
and relapsed into silence They left him alone with
his problem; for theirs time schedule that knew
neither delays, and when the door closed
after them he lay for long time blinking up at the
ornament above the antquated gas chandelier
from which all burners one had been removed by
the thrifty landlady.
1t was not pleasant situation to review. First he
had not penny, his savings having been dissipated
through months of ideness and doctors fees Next he
in foreign land, separated by an ocean from his
soil, and further long journey to make once he
landed there. Probably too he owed the landlady He
obstacle, and concluded that this obligation inn
possible; otherwise, dying though he might be- she
would have him thrown into the street. Then there
were steamer fares, which would be expensive, and
what that he overheard them saying out there in
the hall? Oh, yes-he remembered now. The steamers
would probably not accept passenger who was likely
die before the voyage completed, not even if he
had the money! and he frowned when he recalled that
he had parted with clothing, piece by piece and sold
his pocket knife for twopence days before he had
I,,,,%f nj That he fat
broke He muttefed angrly when it dawned on him that
for sometime he must have been living the charity
of those who had forgotten that prosperous days
in rough luck had applied to him in vain.
IBID you want me, Sir?" voice interrupted his
- medtatons, and the frowzy landlady poked her
head, then her body, through the door,
NO." he said, wondering at this unusual attention
@Ow! Thought heard you speak, she said, clos
ing the door behind her and, with akimbo, staring
at him.
He surmised she would have something further to
say and watched her, immovable, expectanty.
you're very ILL., she said, and then, under the
steadiness of his eyes, looked at the floor as disin
clined meet them till she had finished her speech.
4And seeing as how you're i'll, maybe you ought
to be taken to 'orspital"
What for?" he demanded buntly.
aWell, you see was listening to what they say
ing of out in the all, Sir, and and
@Dont want me to die here, eh?' he interrupted,
with grin. @Afraid it might hurt the reputation of
your dump, reckon Think some folks might think it
was you and the house between you that killed me- eh?"
Her lips shut firmly, and he noted the danger signals
and rallied his wits to meet this first setback to all his
half formulated plans He shook his head and grnned
and lifted playful finger at her.
"Now sten!" he said if about to tell fairy story
which he was truth "Ive thought of all that don't
blame folks for wantin people to come around and
die in their houses. Says myself, There's just
way pay that good woman if the worst comes to
the worst, and that's to have my will made and