New Britain herald., 1922-10-05
What Tom Chester Demanded Without Thought For Himself,

At the sound of the raucous, duav- ering voice in the hall outside, Lil- Han dashed for the door throwing a nane back over her shoulder.
 Tom Chester :" she exclaimed,
 With my heatt beating with fear fci the brave young chap, l followed closely behind her, and saw the yetnG man fairly staggering down the hoIl. yith pr. Pc'ti: walking my his side -hd evidently s.tempting to reetrar nim.
 "Oh, Mrs Underwood :" The physi- kian's voice held a note of relief, "Perhaps you can persuade this young idiot that he must not leave the house in this condition"
 Over Lillians face passed a look which I well knew a look of sorrow for the individual, but of inexorable impersonal holding to account of q subordinate It was the look an army officer might wear who was sending loved aide to a dangerous post,
 Will it kill him 2" she asked.
 Tom Chester turned his face to- ward her and me, and at the ghastly gray look upon it. and the fever in his strained eyes, I shrank back appalled,. Surely there was but one answer 10 her question. and that an affirmative one.
 What does that natter?" he said hoarsely T am the only one who has all the threads of the outside part Of this affair in hand, II is absolute ly vital that be two miles down the road when Smith makes his break from here
 You May Go But--'
 twill it kill llim?" Lillian repeated her question to Dr. Petit, as if young Chester had not spoken. and I saw that she was so completely absorbed in solving the problem the youth $ sudden appearance had presented that she practically had heard nothing he had said.
 T am not prepared to say that" Dr. Petit said, with a sudden access sion of his cautious professional man. But the consequences of his going out tonight cannot help but be seri- ous. It will probably mean long illness at least. His vitality is much lowered, and the treatment given him has made him perspre copiously. He should remain between blankets if he wishes to recover speedily"
 Young Chester gave a hoarse laugh.
 Between blankets with work like tonight's on hand v he cried T suppose the boys in the trenches who passed on over there remained in blankets for fear of chills. Doc, you're a good old scout, but you can, fuss over me tonight When is Smith going to have his chance to break away?"
 He turned to Mrs Underwood, try ing pitifully to assume iaunty man. ner.
 Whenever we give the word, not before,' she returned. So you have plenty of time to plan whatever you're going to do. And you may go, but only under the conditions I give you"
 A Necessary Expedition.
 But" Dr. Petit began to e.. postulate.
 Lillian put up peremptory hand.
 Sorry. but this is beyond even your authority, doctor she said with An air of finality. Things far more important than the welfare or even the life of one man hinge upon this lads work tonight But you can help us to guard him in every way possible. l shall need your advice sorely So please take him into the library and start up the fire. Madge and I will have some hot coffee there in jfry.
 
 pare which will fortify him for his expedition"
 Dr. Petit hesitated palpably. His sense of dignity had been so out ragged by Lillian's offhand manner that we could see him hesitate be- tween doing what she asked and throwing up the case. But his funda- mental good sense finally triumphed. Nothing that you can prepare" he said. ''He must not have food just