Evening star., 1925-01-16

He would concentrate on his own
probIems which were many ana
varied. and for relaxation he Would
walk out of his laboratory to make
clear some difficulty OF the WORKING
gang. Thetford worshiped him. ana
would slave with the tools OF MS
trade far into the night on the mooels
and instruments conceived Dy tne
chief. A nod from the master was
sufficient to make any member OF the
crew call up the last ounce OF energy
for his service But though the chief
drove US hard, it was always oy MS
example and never by a word, And
he drove himself harder than any.
There were times when we would
not see him for days on end. when we
would watch little Thetford creep to
his bed exhausted night after night,
and would know that the chief had
not sought sleep in all the hours
These periods were anxious TOT me
and for all of US, for l knew with
the others that the agony of the ter
rible burns on his tortured body rob-
bed him Of the slightest chance OF
rest. Our dread was that his spirit
would break under the strain.
remember one night when go hours
had passed unbroken by sleep for the
Chief. Eleven of US sat silent in the
living room, while Thetford sprawled
exhausted on his bed and we had not
the heart even to play cards. we
whispered among ourselves, praying
In our hearts that our leader coulo
relax and find rest. And suddenly ne
stood at the entra ace to our cave.
His face was calm and placid. and
his mild blue eyes, deep sunk though
l. I,a tfftI
full Of something like a gentle
wonder. He nodded to us with the
strange little gravity which was his
nearest approach to a smile, and ne
stepped into the chamber to cross TO
the sleeping Thetford.
''Thetford's asleep" he said. Lucky
Thetford! But he drives himself too
hard. poor fellow. A good man!
who was it injured his hand to-
day?" he asked, as he turned to u.s.
It was Greyson, who had had his
fingers crushed under heavy weight.
but he hid the damaged hand. knew
that the reticence would not suit the
Chief. SO / nodded in Greyson's direc-
ton.
HGreyson. was it?" said the Chief.
let me see, Greyson. Yes," he said,
as he examined the damaged fingers,
you have given yourself a bad crush
ing. Greyson. No bones broken, how
nver."
In spite Of his pluck Greyson shiv-
@red a little.
"Yes. 1t must be painful-and pain
IS hard to combat" the Chief mur-
mured-he who could combat it so!
Come, let me dress it for you. ]
have a lotion"
He crossed to the rough cabinet
where we kept our small store of
drugs and SO on, and took out a
bottle. Then with infinite tenderness
he dressed the hand-with the five
fingers left him to execute the mercy.
"I am rejoiced to tell you, gentle
men," he went on, that believe we
the shedding of blood, without TAX
ing life. see your work, but you
see nothing Of mine. I must tell you
that I have discovered a gas which
will cause sleep for a number Of
hours"
He went on to explain the anaes-
thetiging gas which was aftefward
to give US of the league such power.
The men livened up to the interest of
II. and he suddenly turned to Steve
Curtis.
you do not sing and play tonight.
Steven" he said. why do you
neglect your guitar?"
"Chief' steve choked in exclaim-
ing You haven't slept for three
nights I-I-didn't like"
IT don't think there is profit in
watching me, Steven" the Chief re-
proved him gently. You must not
do it. Come. sing. 1t will not dis
turb Thetford. Sing the little song
about the lonely cabin"
Steve reached for his guitar, and
though he quavered over the first
lines, he soon found his voice:
LII ole cabin in de catn patch,
Shingles all a-droppin from de roof,
Looks lax eveh' body gone away
Seme place winch dey's gone to stay.
Lov.n' ole Nanny. whah 10 IN at?
.:.kindes' ole Nanny, Is yu dsid an sooc?
NGty did All leave ma home an run away
From de III ole cabin wheh All wus bawnf