The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-07-18

"Why did you let her leave the
house?"
"She sent me away, sir. l 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 a little-it's the blood
that makes 1t look like a bad hurt
See, when l battle it, it Is not bad
hurt, sir. She's just been-she's just
worn-out, poor thing-and she's asleep
that's ALL"
lie made no answer to the womans
speech, but turned toward me. give
doors from here" he said, land to
your left as you go out, you will find
the residence of Doctor Worrel. Go to
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 about
arranging for your comfort upon your
return, for you will not leave me till
broad daylight-you must not ~
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 a careful exami-
nation of his patient, he assured the
anxious son that the wounds were
only slight. and that her unconscious
condition was simply 1.-The result of
overstimulation, perhaps" as he deli
catcly put it. She would doubtless
waken in her usual rational state-an
occurrence really more to be feared
than desired, since her peculiar SEN
sitiveness might feel too keenly the
unfortunate happening. Anyway"
he continued, 81 will call early in the
morning, and, in the event of her
awakening before that time, 1 will
leave sedative with Mary, with di-
rections she will attend to. She will
remain here at her side. And as to
yourself, Mr. Clark" the doctor went
on in an anxious tone, as he marked
the. haggard face and hollow eyes,
Il insist that you retire. You muA
rest, sir-worrying for the past week
as you have been doing is telling on
you painfully. You need rest-and
you must take it."
"And 1 WILL" said Mr.. Clark sub
missively. STOPPING again, he clasped
the sleeping face between his hands
and kissed it tenderly. Good night %
l heard him whisper-"good night
good night" He turned, and motion
ing for me to follow, opened the door
doctor, good night! Good night,
Mary"
He led the way to his own room up
stairs. "And now, my friend" he said,
as he waved me to an easy chair, II
have but two other favors to ask of
you: The first is, that you talk to me,
or read to me, or tell me fairy tales, or
riddles-anything, so that you keep it
up necessarily, and never leave off till
you find me fast asleep. Then in the
next room you will find q 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
ooh, well, I'll not ask the second IA
vor of you now. I'll keep it for you
till tomorrow" And as he turned
Ia pIt rono1 thran or
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 l 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 meF'
81 will read" said, as l picked up
a book to begin my vigil.
Hold just minute, then" he said,
drawing a card and pencil from his
vest.-"I may want to jot down a
note or two.-Now, go ahead"
l had been reading in a 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, knew by
the o, ional sound of his pencil that
he had not yet dropped asleep. And
so, without a pause, l 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 drowslly-"Guess
I'm going to sleep now-but you go
right on with the story.-Good night ~
His hand fumblcd lingeringly mo-
ment, then was withdrawn and folded
with the other on his breast.
/ 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, a
wholesome persplratlon, as it seemed,
pervaded all the face, while the breath
ing, though labored, was regular. /
bent above him to lower the pillow for
his head, and the movement half
aroused him, as / thought at first, for
he muttered something as though i'm
patiently; but listening to catch his
rnlttprinpS. | knew that he was dream
ing. ITS what killed father" l heard
him say. "And it's what killed Tom, :"
he went on, in a smOthered voice
"killed both-killed both! 1t shan't
kill me; swear it. could bottle it
case after case-and never touch a
drop. If you never take the first drink,
,,o,,ll never want IT. Mother taught