The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-07-01

In you than l have In myself. He
viii reach the crisis some time TO
night and you must stay with him
You had hettcr--but you know what
TO do better than can tell you"
In the next room he asked young
Hastings a question.
lis Ferrlcr engaged to that gtrff-
"No"
'iIumrh, Won. II you want me.
you're on the phone. aren't your We
shall know one way or the other be-
fore morning"
lis he going 10 der asked Micky
gruffly from the window.
But he got no answer.
Nobody thought OF going To bed.
The stout housekecper puffed up the
stairs 10 place an extra room ut any
ones disposal. She opined that II
was no use everybody sitting up and
wearing themselves out.
1--WE all want Sleep" she said en-
phatically.
Micky rounded on her.
you so and get II then. my good
woman" he said sharply. Thunder
Ing old fool" he added irritably. a.
she obeyed with sort OF offended
dignity.
Hastings was nodding. he had had
no sleep for two nights. Try as hs
would. he could not keep his eyc
open for more than a few moments
at a time. Presently he dozcd of
, altogether. his head dropping un
comfortably sideways.
Micky put a pillow behind his
head Sleep was far enough from
his own eyes. Every few seconds
he walked to that closed door and
listened fcarfuily.
Once he turned the handle softly
and Lillian came 10 met him.
"Csln come ini" he asked huskffy
Its awful waiting out here. and
Ralph's snoring"
III you are very quiet I'm
afraid he seems weaker
Micky kicked off his slippers and
tiptoed into the room: he sat down
In a chair where he could see the
bed. and the outline OF Terriers fine
head thrown up In shadow by the
shaded light. and beyond 4, the girl
who crouched beside him on the
floor.
The seconds licked solcmniy away
Now and then the man on the bed
moved rcstlessiy: once he muttered
angriiy; once name was plainly
disccrnibie. "Joani Joan.'
Tho white face OF the girl beside
the bed seemed TO flush into beauti.
full life and hope. She raised her.
self.
Micky covered his ears with his
hands and looked away.
II seemed an eternity before some
one touched him on the arm Lillian
wns beside him.
Take Joan away. Take her
away"
He started UP.
What is IT. Fcrrtcr-not--.
Take her away quickly
Micky asked no more questions.
he stopped over tho despairfng fig.
urc huddled on the floor. he dared
not look at the man on the pillow.
He carried her from the room unre.
sistingfy. and laid her ON the couch
beneath nm open window.
She had not tainted: her eyes were
wide and piteous.
He spoke to me, Aficky. He knew
me-
He tried 60 comfort her.
That's good: he'll get better now.
Oh. don't cry. little girl. DON'T
She was sohbing piteousiy.
Micky held her hand between his
own clumsy paws and patfcd II
comfortingiy. III he knew you ne
must be better. He hasn't known
anybody for days.
But she would not be comforted.
III only he just smiled at me. But
he didn't--he took his hand away
az if--as IL he hated me. He said
just as he did down at Eastsca---
You've fooled me twice Hell never
believe me, never"
III make him." said Mlci<y stout.
ly. his eyes were fierce.
He sat beside her tin she fen
asleep. Then he went back TO the
other room-he dreaded to go. and
yet
Lillian he called softly. She
cane instantly.
"Ferrier, h he dcad7'- IN his hear,
Micky WAS sure of IL. he had told
himself that this was the only pos
sibie ending.
'oh. Mieky. no. Did you think !
meant that7 Oh. mono, he In bet.
ter. much better. and sleeping
Micky flung up an arm across HIS
eyes
ooh. I'm a cur he said hoarsely
In the sudden rcvulsion of feeling
he knew that for one mad moment
he had wished Ferrier dead--only
for n monent--but-
Lillian took his hand impulsiveiy,
tears stood In her eyes. She loved
this man. and because she loved him.
she understood him.
1T is you who have saved HIS
life" she said gently. TT was you
who brought us the other doctor.
you who found Joan. You have done
more for him than any OF us
Micky put her gently aside: he
went across TO the bed and stood
looking down at Ferrier. He was
sleeping quietly; the drawn look OF
pain had left his face. and there was
half-smile on his lips.
The best man has won.- was the
thought IN Micky's heart. He for
got that sometimes IL takes a good
man TO play a losing game.
CHAPTER XIV
Micky flung himself down m a
chair. and wiped the Precipitation