The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-26

"No-thcro Ia no necessity for that.
lie IL on tho table. But II he could
sec you. IL IN the very end Of our
work." he answered. ~It may be
that he can't-you must be ready
FOR that"
Il am ready" sho said.
A second later she was In the
room with tho child She saw moth
ing but Derry. his little body beneath
tho sheet rigidiy strapped TO the
table. The group gave place. and
Rachael stood beside him. His
beautiful baby eyes. Wild with terror
and agony. found hcr. she bent over
him. and laid her fingers on his wet
little forehead. lilo wanted his
mother 20 take him away. he had
been calling hcr--hadn't she heard
hirn7 Please. please. not 20 let any
one touch him againl
Rachael summoned desperate
courage. she spoke 20 him. she
could even smile. Did he remember
the swinr--ycs. but he didn't rcmern'
Der Mother bringing him all tho way
up. 80 that Daddy and Uncle
George
Ills brave eyes wcrc fixed on hers.
He was trying 90 remember. trying
10 answer her smile. trying to think
~ other things than the recon.
mencing pain.
No use Tho hoarr~. terrible little
screams began again. His little hand
writhed In hers.
Mother plcase-wili you m n 9
them stop7"
Rachael was breathing deep. her
own forehead was wet. She knew
the child's strength was gone.
Just n little more. dearest" she
said. white Tipped: eyes full Of az.
onized appeal turned to George.
Doctor" one of the nurses. her
hand on his pulse. said softly. George
Valentine looked M.
Rachacia apprchensive CLAN c 9
questioned them both. But Warren
Gregory did not faitcr. did not even
glance away from his own hands.
Then II WINS over. The tension In
the room broke suddenly. tho atmos.
phcre changed. altho there was not
an audible breath. The nurses moved
swiftly and surely. needing no in
atructions. George lifted Derry's lit
tie hand from Rachael's, and put
one arm about her. Warren put down
his instrument. and bent. his face a
mask OF anxiety. over the child.
Derry was breathlnR--no more. But
on the bioodleas face that Warren
raised there was tho light OF hope.
II believe he will make Il. George"
| he said. II think we have saved him
for you. Rachael No-no-lcave him
where he ~. Miss Moore. Get n fiat
pillow under his head. II you can.
Cover him up. I'm going TO stay
here"
wouldn't he be more comfortable
in his bed2' Rachners shaken voice
asked him In n low tone. She was
conscious only that she must not
faint now.
"TIe would be, Of course. But 81
may bo just by that fraction Of en-
ergy that he Is hanging on. Brave
little chap. he has been helping US
Just M II he knew"
nut this fhcnhHl coulu not endure.
Her whole body shook. the room
rocked before her eyes. She had
strength to reach the hall. aaw Alice
standing white and tense. at the top
Of the stairs-then II was all dark.
ness.
II seemed hours later. tho IL was
only minutes, that Rachael came
dreamily 10 consciousness in her own
old room. on her own bed. Her idly
moving eyes found the shaded lamp.
found Alice sitting beside her. Alice's
hand lay over her own. For n long
time they did not speak.
A perfect circle OF shadow was
flung on the high ceiling from the
lamp. Outside Of the shadow were
the familiar window draperies. the
white mantel with It's old candle.
sticks. the exquisite crayon portrait
of Jim at three, and Derry deli
cious 18months.old. There was the
white bowl that had always been
filled with violets. empty now. And
there were tho low bookcases where
a few special favoritcs were kept,