Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-24

months--for more than year, unable
to reach a decision because he would
never say one word against you to me-.
ana l was waiting for events to convince
me They have done that completely"
Mr.. Buckingham shocked, distressed.
embarrassed. felt that he would have
been in a less difficult position had the
knife Of Aurentsky found its intended
target in his own breast. Burning with
sense of the injustice Of these direct
accusations and desiring hotly to defend
himself against the whole absurdity, yet
, he knew perfectly well that while the
man who had saved his life Clung TO
existence by thread N>ds no fitting time
for argument. He struggled to regain
his poise and by a masterful effort sue
Ceeded.
Ruth my child" he urged soothngly
You have had a terrible shock. Don't
let us try to talk of it any more now.
You're saying things that are not very
not very sensible things that you'll be
Robinson take you home? ri follow,
when the doctors are through, with the
latest word about--Jerry."
Home? Father" :" rhe blue eyes
were filled again with rcproach at such
Grass failure 10 comprehend. II shall
never leave Jerry till ] know he's out
of danger. I'll ride in the ambulance to
the hospital; III stay with him night
and day. till the crisis is past"
Buckingham loved his daughter deep
~. He would not cross her now in this
moment Of her young hearts greatest
strain. What was inevitable was inevit-
able.
Very we'll my girl" he assented. and
his voice was very tender. DO as you
| like. Your mother. OF course. will come
to you a once. Your anxiety can hardly
be greater than my own for Jerry took
blow that was meant for me. Let us
hope that. his vigorous young, constitu-
tion may bring him through where mine
would have failed me-
These soft. sincerely spoken words suf-
feed to restore quite natural relations
between the two.
'Oh. father sobhed the girl falling
on his shoulder, and still sobbing went
on with.
1T was so. SO like Jerry. And he didn't
do that for-fOr me. Not to save my
anybody-to save Aurentsky--if it had
been you trying to kill Aurentsky.''
Mr.. Buckingham shuddered. The mere
thought that he, with weapon-with a
which had been brandished before his
eyes-could attempt to kill anybody, was
most distressing.
why, you are wounded. said Ruth,
when she had dried her tears sufficient
ly to notice for the first time the slashed
condition Of Robinson s coat
NO, only only my coat: r fortunately; eX-
the noGhs he skin ski is f6arey
with my, hand and working my grip up
toward his wrist when he made those
cuts. Momentarily the fellow was as
strong as Sandow, but the instant he
was subdued, he collapsed weakly. and
there was no fight in him when ] passed
him over to the police
IF Jerry-if Jerry di-dies, I do not
want Aurentsky prosecuted" gulped
Ruth, struggling with new emotion.
The physicians opened the door be-
hind her in time to hear this remark
Although such wounds are usually
rallied amazingly. Youth, l think, will
tell"
There was a gurgle of something very
ike emotion in the physicians tones,
as indicating that the medical man was
taking up the battle in Jerry's behalf
with more than professional interest in
his case.
"oh, thank you for that blessed as
ssurance!' gasped Ruth with great feel
ing.
May go to him again."
You may. but do not speak"
The girl tiptoed in softly and sat by
Jerrys head, her hand again upon his
brow. and occasionally she lowered her
soft cheek to his and with her own eyes
closed as If in prayer.
Presently the physician re-entered ac-
companied by men with a stretcher. and
Ruth stood by. frightened afresh as she
noted the extreme anxiety with which
the surgeons superintended the transfer
of the wounded body from the couch to
the stretcher. and again how they how
cred over the slow progress outward of
the bearers to guard against the slight
est shock or jar. Ruth followed with
apprehension in her eyes and heart i'm
OF hope which had been spoken. the life
OF her lover turned upon a hair With
out word she stepped into the ambu-
lance, the inferno not protesting.