The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-17


was glorious with health and joy"
Appendicitis"
appendicitis" he echoed, shud-
dering. I'VE were like lost spirits
for weeks after. Agnes gathered
up the reins of the household the
best she could, and somehow we
went . on. Then-Agnes!-ty-
phoid-"
He rose and paced the floor. his
hands clenched.
"Agnes!-part of myself in
more than just flesh and blood.
Twins, there was a bond between
us more than that of mere brother
and sister. For six weeks I didn't
leave her for an hour-perhaps l
slept some sitting-I don't know
She died with her head on my
shoulder"
CHAPTER XII.
Keith's Story.
The physician sat in silence and
waited patiently for Keith to con-
tinue his story. 1t was upward of
a half hour before Edgerton re-
sumed.
at was like a dream then, and
now. The world was a strange
spectral thing without Agnes. The
doctor ordered a change for me,
and Father arranged for me to go
East. There was some talk of
Harold's coming with me-but
there was Victoria to think of, our
baby Victoria, delicate from birth.
Harold was very companionable to
her, and 1t was decided that he
must stay TO keep her company
The irony of It! Harold stayed to
comfort Victoria If he had
come
Father and brother and sister
buried, and l not there. Victoria
lived six months after the horror
and shock of Fathers and Harold's
deaths. and all the grief thai had
gone before. 1t was waiting that
killed her - corroding suspense
over me-"
Come, Keith" said the physi-
clan gently, mo more Of that. The
past is the past. To accept 1t is
all you can do. You are blameless
of It ALL"
"I?-yes. She murdered Vic
toria as truly as we both sit here
"And that is what you can't be
resigned to-" The words were
more a statement than a question:
The dull voice went on, unheed-
ing.
THAT she could do it; I can't
understand her. She's so consid-
crate of others, so fair in her judg-
|ments, so adorably tender and wise
with Vance"
That's the solution of 1t all.
She's a mother-and one Of the
mysteries of the world" answered
the physician. "She will not only
endure hell for the child she has
borne, but will ruthlessly drag any
one else with her to serve him.
Civilization has given a mother
nothing; she still tears and rends
for her child and doesn't know that
the whole world of humanity is her
Babe, waiting in swaddling clothes
for Her to save it."
81 can't understand" he cried,
his voice hoarse and thick.
"No; for woman is woman and
man is man." said Morris Under
wood acridly. "Give up the riddle.
Go to your home and forget her. l
should like trip to California.
Doctor Unwin can take care of
things here for few months. I'll
go West with YOU"
Just then the telephone rang.
"You," said the doctor, handing
over the receiver.
Papa" came the child's voice,
high-pitched and fearful, and
sounding throughout the room as
clearly as at the receiver, 81 want
you. Mammals sick and I-Oh,
Papa, YOU are coming home-Mam-
ma says you won't ever"
Keith Edgerton's answering
voice was deliberate.
"Sure. partner, I'm going home
as soon as you and Bryan can
come for me-"
"Oh, oh! And may l tell Man,
maj"
"Yes-tell Mamma"
The doctor looked at Edgerton
in the grieved, helpless way ia
Their might look on a hayward son
bent on destruction.
"a fool there u.s." said he bitter
". you're not a dupe now, but