The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XIV.
Biaekie's Vacation Gomez

In some miraculous manner
Biackie lived on for two days after
that ghastly ride. Peter had been
Killed instantly. the doctors Faid
Ny escape with but a few riGlcu-
iouB bruises and scratches WAS due.
they said. 10 the fact that had sat
in the tonIeau
Norah and Max came. and took
things in charge. and ! saw Won
Gerhard. bat all three appeared dim
and shndowy. like figures In a mist.
In the midst OF the biackness
heard a sentence that cleared the
fog from my mind. and caused me
to raise myself from my pillows.
Some one NorAh. ! think
said that Blarkie Was conscious
and that he was ASKING for some
OF the men at the office. and 70!
mo. For me- rose aud dressed
In spite OF Norah's protests
mo, them IN the stiff little walt.
Ing room 81 the hospitAl-Norberg
Demlng. Schmidt. Holi-men who
had known him from tho time
when they had yelled. Hey
boy" at him when they wanted
their pencils sharpcned.
Awkwardly We followed tho fleet.
footed nurse. and came al last into
very still and bright little room
where Blackie lay
The face that tried 90 smile al
VA from the pillow vas strangely
wizened and old. Only the eyes
were the same. They glowcd in
the sunken face. beneath the shock
Of black hair. with startling luster
and brilliancy.
"Saa.ay. boys and girls. cut out
the heavy thinking parts. Don't
mako me do all the social stunts
What's the news7 What Kind OF
rotten cotton sportin' sheet IL
that dub Callahan gettin' out :
who won today--Cubs or Pirates
Norberg. you goat. who pinned that
purple tie on youT"
lie was so like the Blackie we
had always known that We were
AT our ease Immediately The sun
shone in al the window. and some
one laughed a little laugh some.
where down the corridor. and
Deming. who is Irish. plunged
into a droll description Of brand.
new office boy who had arrived that
day.
4 nurse in stripes and cap ap,
peared In tho doorway. She looked
keenly Mt the little figure in the
bed. Then she turned to us.
You must 30 now" she said
You we're Just to see him for q
minute or two, YOU know
Blackie summoned the wan
ghost OF smile TO his lips Guess
You guys amt got III stimulatin
effect that a bunch Of live wires
ought TO have"
They said goodbye. awkwardly
enough. Not one OF them that
did not owe him m unpayable
debt OF gratitude.
suddenly Blackie beckoned the
nurse In the doorway. She came
swiftly and bent over him.
Gimme two minutes more,
that's good nursie There's
something | want to say { this
dame. It's de rigger { hand out
last messages. amt it7"
And so. when the others had
gone. found myself seated at the
side OF his bed. trying TO smile
down Mt him. | knew that there
must be nothing Ia excite him But
the words on my lips would come
"Blackie." said. and | strug
gled TO keep my voice calm and
emotlonless. "Blackie. forgive me
1t is all my fault-my wrotched
fault"
Now, cut that" Interrupted
Blackie. II thought that was your
game. That's why said ! wanted
z talk Z YOU Now, listen. Re.
member my tellin' you. few weeks
ago, bout that vacation wat
plannln'? This Is Il, only It's come
sooner than ! expected, that's all.
seen two or three doctor guys
about &C. Your friend Won Ger.
hard was one of 'em. They didn I
tell me Z take no ocean trip this
time Between EN-. they decided
my vacation would come along
about November. maybe. Well. |
beat 'em to II, that's all"
Tho nervous brown hand was
moving restlessly over the covers.
Finally Il met my hand, and held
IL In tense little grip.
We've been good pals. you aud
me, amt We. kld?"
Yes. Blackie."
Amt regretted II none?"
Regretted t. am finer.
truer. better woman for having
known you, BlacKie
He gave little contented sigh
ut that. and his eyes closed. When
he opened them the old, whimsical
smile wrinkled his face.
This IS where get off ut. II