The Tomahawk., 1924-10-23
1T WAS
THE RULING
PASSION
By JAMES BARNES
%. Doubleday. Page & Coz

COuSClOuSueSS OF MS own existence.
He did not have to ask where he
was. He had visited hospitals often
enough. Once he had interviewed
would-be suicide in a private room
just like this. There was slight
smell of ether about him, and he was
possessed of a sensation that remind
ed him of the time he had been as
signed to write the story Of "A Day
on the Fishing Banks" Otherwise he
felt no pain particularly.
Guess 1 was among those" he OBJ
served to himself. He could see the
headlines-"Crash on Third Ave. H.
he'd written up lot Of them, but he
was rather mixed as to this one.
There had been sway, lurch, big
noise and-here he was!
A nice-looking young woman, dressed
In white, was standing at the foot of
the high cot, looking at him.
Many hurt?" he asked, forming the
words slowly.
Mustn't talk-rest quietly" re-
turned the young woman, softly.
You're getting on nicely"
What day Is it?'
Sunday. You're all right-just
rest-we'll take care Of you She
had a very soothing voice.
Jess as you say, m DEAR" mumbled
Pa weakly, and with that he lost con-
nection with the actual in long,
mi ri INT %
The next time he came out of the
darkness he was alone. The discom-
forting sensation was gone, only
strange, dull ache was all over him,
and pain in his head. He lay very
fiat and straight at slight incline.
1t was warm, sunny day Of very
early spring; the window was open
and the housetops opposite were just
level with his line of vision. He rec
ognized several taller buildings beyond,
against the sky line.
He looked down at himself-a much
bandaged object lay on a pillow at
his right; the other arm was across
his chest. He started to lift the hand
to his aching head-the only response
was a slight movement Of the index
finger and the thumb-he tried his feet
and legs-nOthing responded. He gave
just the slightest moan.
Once, after the cavern of a floor at
a fire, he had seen a poor devil Of a
smoke-eater laid out like this.
"Spine," said he. That's the an
swer." He compressed his lips-his
eyes blurred-he tasted the salt of the
quick gush Of tears. FINISHED, fin
ished, finished" his mind kept repeat
ing, and then-"How lucky!" No one
was dependent on him, not even a
dog or a cat! All he'd ever had or
cared for in life had been his work.
That was over now. There were
institutions, Of course, and-a flash Of
hope-he might, possibly might re-
cover. Lord, how clear his mind was
The paper and the boys would be good
to him. He mustn't give up alto
gether. If he could only teach that
lef: hand to hold a pen! Plenty of
time now to write all that stuff he
was going to do "some day."
He turned his bandaged head to the
right. On a table by his side there
was a telephone, a glass and shiny
little metal tube.
"All ready to give me another shot,"
he reasoned. Never thought I'd come
to this p
He was glad he was alone. He felt
sure, If he made a sound, that the
white-dressed woman would appear.
He didn't want anybody just now
His eyes had cleared and his glance
sought the open window.
There was a man on the roof oppo-
site, leaning over the brick railing,
looking down at the street. He was
In shirt sleeves and hatless; his bald
head glistened in the sunlight.
Strengthening up, the man hurried
back to the shadow Of metal roof
house and disappeared. He had
walked with a slight limp, as If he
had lost the use of a knee joint.
If Pa had ever spotted anyone at
that distance before he knew that man
to a certainty! Forgetting himself
and everything else, he kept his tense
gaze on that stretch Of roof. There
the man was again, hat and coat on
his time, and another was with him
They peered round the side Of the
house very cautiously and then van
ished.
Despite his helplessness Pa Arm
strong felt the old-time, familiar ex-
element Every part Of his brain was
intently wide awake. But 1t was only
after two attempts that he managed
to say
"Oh, Miss Nurse. If you pleased"
She was just outside the door, and,
concealing her anxiety, hurried to him.
"Telsphone-call-m Important
get his now! Three-one-hundred
Spring. want"
The young woman put her hand on
oh