The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1918-01-17

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"why did you let her leave the
house?"
"She sent me away, sir. I never
dreamed that she was going out again.
She told me she was very sleepy and
wanted to retire, and l helped her to
undress before went. But she amt
bad hurt. is she?" she continued, stoop-
ing over the still figure and tenderly
smoothing back the disheveled hair
ITS only the cheek bruised and the
forehead cut little-it's the blood
that makes 1t look like a bad hurt.
See, when l battle 1t, 1t is not bad
hurt, sir. She's just been-she's Just
wOrn-out, poor thing-and she's asleep
that's ALL"
He made no answer to the woman's
speech, but turned toward me. "Flve
doors from here" he said, land to
your left as you 60 out, you will fine
the residence of Doctor Worrel. Go t.
him for me, and tell him he. is wanted
here at once. Tell him my mother is
much worse. He will understand.
would go myself, but must see abou,
arranging for your comfort upon your
return, for you will not leave me till
broad daylight-you must nOtw
bowed In silent acceptance of his
wishes, and turned upon my errand.
Fortunately, the doctor was at home,
and returned at once with me to my
friend, where, after careful exami-
nation Of his patient, he assured the
anxious son that the wounds were
only slight, and that her unconscious
condition was simply ''the result OF
overstimulation, perhaps" as he deli.
cately put 1t. She would doubtless
waken in her usual rational state-aI
occurrence really more to be feared
than desired, since her peculiar sen
sitiveness might feel too keenly the
unfortunate happening. Anyway,
he continued, II will call early In the
morning, and, in the event Of heI
awakening before that time, will
leave a sedative with Mary, with d.
rections she will attend to. She will
remain here at her side. And as tc
yourself, Mr.. Clark" the doctor wen,
on in an anxious tone, as he marked
the haggard face and hollow eyes
II insist that you retire. You mus
rest, sir-wOrrying for the past weeh
ms you hay been doing Is telling OIL
you painfully. You need rest-ant
you must take It,"
"And I WILL" said Mr.. Clark sub
missively. STOPPING again, he claspet
the sleeping face between his hand,
and kissed II tenderly. "Good night +
l heard him whisper-"good night
good night" He turned, and motion
Ing for me to follow, opened the dool
doctor, good night Good night
Nary"
He led the way to his own room up
stairs. "And now, my friend" he said
as he waved me to an easy chair, :"
have but two other favors to ask O
you: The first is, that you talk to me
! or read to me, or tell me fairy tales, Of
riddles-anything, SO that you keep I
up necessarily, and never leave off til
you find me fast asleep. Then In the
next room you will find a comfortable
bed. Leave me sleeping here, and YOU
sleep there. And the second favor,
he continued, with slow smile and
an affected air of great elaboration
"oh, well, I'll not ask the second ia
vor of you now. I'll keep 1t for you
till tomorrow" And as he turned
laughingly away and paced three OF
four times across the room, in his
step, his gait, the general carriage OF
the figure, was curiously reminded
of the time, years before, that I had
watched him from the door Of the
caboose, as he walked up the subur.
ban street till the movement Of the
train had hidden him from view.
"Well, what will you do?" he asked,
as he wheeled cOzy-cushioned lounge
close beside my chair, and removing
his coat, flung himself languidly down.
-"Will you talk or read to me?'
II will read" I said, as I picked up
a book to begin my vigil.
Hold just a minute, then" he said,
drawing card and pencil from his
vest.-"I may want to jot down a
note or twO.-Now, 60 ahead"
had been reading In low voice
steadily for perhaps an hour, my COM
panion never stirring from his first po-
sition, but although my eyes were
never lifted from the book, l knew BY
the occasional sound of his pencil that
he had not yet dropped asleep. And
so, without a pause, read monoto-
nously on. At last he turned heavily.
/ paused. With his eyes closed he
CROPPED his hand across my knees and
grasped my own. go on with the
reading" he said drOwsily-"Guess
I'm going to sleep now-but you 60
right on with the story.-Good night I"
His hand fumbled lingeringly mo-
ment, then was withdrawn and folded
with the other on his breast.
I read on In a lower tone an hour
longer, then paused again to look at
my companion. He was sleeping heav-
lily, and although the features In their
repose appeared unusually pale,
wholesome perspiration, as 1t seemed,
pervaded all the face, while the breath
ing, though labored, was regular.