San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-10

l
"The top of the morning to you"
said Nicholas Perry, smiling at me
from the bed in which he was located
in his private ward of the amateur
hospital and rest-homo 1 had been
compelled to set up at the Birches the
night before.
You're cheerful" I said, unable
to keep a note of surprise out of my
voice.
Nicholas Perry made an odd gesture
with his bandaged hands and shrugged
his shoulders as he said:
"Lingar insisted Oh my staying here.
He is certain the telephone lines will
be fixed presently, and insists that II
he can't get a call through shortly,
he's going to send Tarasov for doc
tor.
"Tarasov," I said thoughtfully. I'D
forgotten about HIM. When I came
down this morning, found a note
saying he was going to the village to
fetch a doctor. And rest assured he
won't come back without one. Well
have you up and about in less than no
time"
"Then it's important for me to talk
to you at once" broke in Mr.. Perry
eagerly. 1--WE got things to say L
don't want anyone to overhear. And
doctor is likely to wish nurse on
me or something to make UP"
Again Nicholas Perry waved his
hands with the peculiar arresting ges-
ture which reminded me so painfully
of what was threatening him.
II suppose you shouldn't strain your
hands for day or two" l said with
the well-meaning awkwardness which
is all one can compass when trying to
hide pitiful fears from an invalid.
Maybe I'll never use them again,
Mr.. Perry said explosively.
"Oh no-not that" protested.
"Why .not?"
"Weil that would be too-cruel," 1
said awkwardly.
"Other folks have had to face the
end of their dream-days," the man
said CURLY.
YES, but why should you-a little
storm-some snow-it's all too abb
surd-ironical, 1 fumbled.
Happens every day." Nicholas Per-
ry said grimly.
"Weli I'm sure It isn't happening
to you," I urged, getting control of
myself now and feeling that the mans
hysteria must be met and conquered.
There is no reason why you should
have to undergo affliction. Frostbite
is painful. Your exposure to the cold
probably did you up. You're bit
p,at fhot
for imagining any tragedy"
Il DON'T" said Nicholas Perry.
He stopped abruptly. l waited for
more. But when a minute or two Of
silence had passed, l concluded that
he had dropped off in a doze and
1 got up quietly and began tiptoeing
from the room. But before 1 had TAX
en- many steps a querulous voice stop
ped me.
Where are you going?" Mr.. Perry
demanded.
"To see if Jim's all right. He was
out in that storm, too. We were on
our way to The Hedgerow when o
tree fell across the path and injured
Jim bit, and pinned him down. We
were held there for n long time-more
than an hour. / had just dragged
him to our door when your dog, Scott
came to call rescue party to your
aid. / thought the dog was a wolf at
first. When 1 recognized his breed,
didn't realize it was a neighborhood
dog-one 1 knew. That's why / left
you out there to--freeze-why I didn't
come to the rescue or try to rouse
someone"
My voice trailed off. I was over.
come with remorse and regret as
realized anew that I might have saved
the artist if only / had realized his
need. His voice was curt as he said
Evidently you feel that you failed
me then. Please don't fail me now
Don't you think you owe me a little
consideration"
"A lot" l murmured contritely.
"You mean that you feel-partly re-