The Washington times., 1919-04-29

land wakes all read it to him"
YOeBe From Behind Curtain.
"GiVe that telegram TO me!' burst
out a ghostly voice from the cur
taiRed room behind her.
Every. atom OF color left her face,
and she stood there as though stiff
fened into marble. The steward
stared at her. Still staring. he.
passed gingerly in front OF her and
entered the curtained room.
Neeland was lying on his bed as
white as death; but his eyes nut
tered open In a dazed way:
steward" he whispered.
Yes, sir: MIR. Neeland."
"My-box." His eyes closed
Box, sir?"
"whefe-is-it?-
(Which box. sir? Is II this one
here on the lifting the
olive wood box in us case. The key
was in the lock- the. other keys
hung from it, dangling on a steel
ring.
The nurse stepped calmly into the
room.
steward" she said in her low.
pleasant voice. the sedatiVe / gave
him has probably confused his mind
little" -.-,f
Put that box--under-my head"
interrupted Neeland's voice like a
groan.
II tell YOU" whispered the nurse,
''he doesn't. know what he Is say
ing"
"I got to obey him, ma'am-'
Il forbid YOU
steward" gasped Neeland.
"Sir?"
MY box. want it,"
Certainly, sir"
Here. beside my-pilIow."
Yes. sir" He laid the box beside
the sick man.
els Il locked. steward?"
Key sticking it it. sir. Yes, it's
locked. sir.
Open" -- .g-.
The nurse, calm. pale. tight-Iipped
stood by the curtain looking at the
bed over which the steward leaned,
opening the box.
Ere you are, SIR he said lift
ing the cover. II say, nurse, give
i'm lift, won't your"
Rouses Self BY Effort.
The nurse coolly stepped to the
bedside, stopped, raised the head
and shoulders Of the PROSTATE man.
After moment his eyes unclosed;
he looked at the contents OF the
box with a perceptible effort.
Lock 1T. steward. Place it be-
side me. Next the wall.
So Place the keys
in my pocket Thank you.
l had a-pistoL"
'Sir?"
"A pistol Where is it,"
The stewards rowing glance fell
finally upon the washbasin. He
walked over, picked up the auto
matte, and with an indescribable
glance at the nurse, laid il across
Neeland's upturned palm.
The young mans fingers fumbled
il. closed over the handle; and a
ghost of a smile touched his ashen
face.
do you feel better. sir?"
I'm tired. Yes. feel
better"
Can do anything for you, Mr..
Neeland?'
stay outside-my door,
DO you wish the doctor, SIR
NO NO. DOu
call him; do you hear?"
Il won't call him, sir
NO, don't call him"
No. sir. Mr.. NeeIand.
there is "a trained nurse here
You will not want her, will you.
sir?'
NeeInnd Smiles Falntly.
Again the shadow of a smile
crept over Neeland's face.
Did she come for-her handker-
chief"
There was a silence: the steward
looked steadily at the nurse; the
nurses dark eyes were fixed on
the man lying ahere before her.
You shan't be wanting her any
more, shall you. sir?" repeated the
steward. not shifting his gaze.
Yes: I think ] shall want her
for a little while Nee
land slowly opened his eyes. smiled
up at the motionless nurse: How
arc you. ScheheraZade?" he said
weakly. And to the steward. with
an effort: Miss White and I are
old friends. - However-kind-
Iy remain outside-my door.
And throw what remains of my
dinner-out Of-the part
look after the-gentleman on
crutches Tm-fOnd of him.
Thank you. steward"
Long after the steward had
closed the stateroom door, Ilse Du-
mont stood beside Neeland's bed
without stirring Once or twice he
opened his eyes and looked at her
humOrouslN. After a while Z he
please be seated. Scheherazade."
She calmly seated herself on the
edge of his couch
'Horrid soup" he murmured
You should attend a cooking
school. my dear"
She regarded him absently. as
though other matters absorbed her.
Yes" he repeated, as a cook
you're \ failure. Scheherazade. That
broth with YOU seasoned for me
has dcnP funny things to my eyes.
too. EUt they're recovering. see
much better slready. My vision is
becoming sufficiently clear to OBJ
serve how presty you are in. your