Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-08

/ hSh po'toi
He was puzzled for a moment. Then
he understood. After all, 1t was as
well. The thing that really mattered
was that he must try to save Wilson
for her. If he failed, she might hate
him the rest of her life-not for him
self but for his failure. Whichever
way things went, he must lose.
doctor Edwardes says you are to
stay away from the operation, but to
remain near. He-he promises to call
you fittings 60 wrong.
She had to be content with that.
Nothing about that night was real to
Sidney. She sat In the anesthetlzing
room, and after time she knew that
she was not alone. There was some
body else. She realized duly that Car
l0tta was there, too, pacing up and
down the little room. She was never
sure, for instance, whether she imag-
ined 1t, or whether Carlotta really
stopped before her and surveyed her
with burning ,eyes.
$50 you Thought he was going to
!: marry you!" said Carlotta-or the
dream. swell, you see he isn't"
. Sidney tried to answer, and failed
or that was the way the dream went
''If you had enough character, I'd
think you did it. How do know you
didn't follow us, and shoot him as
he left the room"
It must have been reality after all
: for Sidney's numbed mind grasped the
essential fact here, and held on to 1t.
Q He had been out with Carlotta. He
Z had promised-sworn that this should
not happen. 1t had happened. 1t sur
a prised her. It seemed as If nothing
+ more could hurt her.
i In the movement to and from the
r operating ROOM the door stood open
s for q moment. A tall figure-how
:, much 1t looked like X. Strengthened
= and held out something in its hand.
"The bulletw said Carlotta In q
whisper.
70 Then more waiting, stir Of move
d ment in the room beyond the closed
1t door. Carlotta was standing, her face
le buried In her hands, against the door.
ID Sidney suddenly felt sorry for her.
se She cared great deal. It must be
tragic 10 care like that! She herself
II. was not caring much; she was toe
vs. numb.
ig The city still slept, but the torturing
ne night was over. And in the gray dawn
e. the staff, looking gray, too, and elderly
ne aad weary, came out through the
nd closed door and took their hushed way
ut toward the elevator. They were talk
ing among themselves. Sidney, strain
m ing her ears, gathered that they hat
seen n miracle. and that the wonde
was still on them.
xi- Carlotta followed them out.
Tut Almost on their heels came X. III
nd was In the white coat, and more an
more he looked like the man who ha
ad raised up from his work and held on
something In his hand. Sidney's hea
OF was aching and confused. The Ia
manor was II K.?-lOoked at he
&C. and then reached up and turned o
the electric tight. When the light wa
out everything was gray. She coul
1t not see. She slid very quietly out {
to her chair. and lay at his feet in
dead faint.
X. carried her 10 the elevator. II
held her as he had held her that da
The at the park when she fell in the rive
mr. very carefully, tenderly. as one hold
the something infinitely precious. Not III
sht III he had placed her on her bed di
Nd she open her eyes. But she was col
md scious before that. She was so tire,
be- and TO be carried like that, In stror
dly arms, not knowing where one was g
act Ing. or caring
I'D The nurse he had summoned hustle
had out for aromatic ammonia. Sldne
rec lying among her pillows, looked U
at X.
Inc How Is hei"
we'd "a little better. There's n chanc
hey DEAR"
ose. II have been so mixed up. All Il
'oat time was sitting waiting. / kel
'out thinking II was you who were opera
do ingl VIII he really get well?"
witty 1T looks promising"
rses 81 should like TO thank Doctor f
ses' wardcs."
The nurse was long time gettiI
who the ammonia. But something had ha
new pened TO X. that savorcd Of the ms
and velous. His faith In himself was col
ried Ing back-not strongly, with n rus
but with all humility. lie had be-
low, loath TO take up the burden; but, NJ
that he had II, he brcathed sort
inarticulate prayer to be able
you carry Il.
Sidney held out her hand 10 him.
OK. "what should do without you, X.
and she asked wistfully.
"All you have 10 do Is 10 want m,
the His voice was not too steady. n
lion. he took her pulse In n most busine
inds like way TO distract her attention fr,
ting II. But. rs he rose from the chair |
{" side her low bed, she put out her ha
she 10 him.
,und "K,"
illar YES, dear"
face "IIe was out with Carlotta.
little promised. and he broke his promls
him "There may have been reasons. 81
vonc pose we walt until he can explain"