Evening star., 1926-12-14

hapS he could not have enllSteu ner
interest at all; yet Trask would nave
taken his chances on that. He did
not regard Miss kent's obsession as
incurable. But 1t was TOO late 20
throw off the mask now. He was
doomed to play the role for which he
had cast himself. Here he would be
known only as the man in the wheel
chair.
Yet, as he gloomily contemplated
his fate. the germ of an idea entered
his mind. He sat very still and closed
his eyes for fear II would escape him.
The germ rooted; it grew: 1t became
baby thought. He stirred involun-
tarily, rose part way from his chair.
then dropped back. remembering
Keeler in the next stateroom.
The thought waxed rapidly now.
growing, expanding, infusing itself
with all the vigor Of his magma
ton.
"Why not?" he demanded. aloud.
In the first cabin he was sentenced
to invalidism; there was no escape.
But in the second cabin-ah'
Keeler had achieved the feat.
Keeler. evidently, was parsonage
below decks. Keeler, with his ribald
clothes and his uncouth figure. had
made himself a man of the hour. If
heeler COuIO dCHlcNS tuOSS tAahSo, why
not William Hamilton Trask?
He nursed his idea jealously. 1t
seemed so simple, now that 1t was
before him. The second cabin was
a. paradise, where he might throw off
his earthly Affections and become
whole spirit. There he could laugh,
run and play: there he could be free
from the wheeled engine OF despair.
None would know him as that inter
esting invalid Mr.. Spencer Trumbull.
He would be himself again, free
man!
II was only a matter of transit from
one existence to another. But the
transition--that bothered him. keeler
must never know; nor the goddess, nor
the dragon, nor any one, save hlmsen.
1t would have to be matter OF diplo-
macy and stealth, il accomplished at
all. There were difficulties. perhaps
formidable; but they only spurred
him, now that the project had taken
possession of his mind.
Surely there was some way to es-
cape from his shackles!
He contemplated having miracu-
lous recovery, but cast aside the
scheme as impractical. It would pass
muster neither with Keeler nor the
goddess If Trask had been believer
in theosophy he might have attempted
the projection of an astral body into
the second cabin. but he was an un-
believer, and 1t was too late to learn
now.
He thought Of sneaking from his
berth late at night. after Keeler had
tucked him into bed. but that would
not suffice, because by that time the
second cabin would be abed also. He
was not going there to promenade a
solitary deck. He was going, among
other things, to see the girl with the
chestnut hair, who danced as lightly
and colorfully as a flying Autumn
leaf.
Keeler returned, draped in the sad
habiliments Of his profession.
IN get you supper now. sir" he
announced Its o'clock"
"All right-and, Keeler."
Yes, sir
do you think I could sit out on
deck for awhile afterward?"
Keeler hesitated. Once again he
was the, watchful nurse.
IF it's not too cool, sir" he an.
swered. finally.
"You can wrap me up as much as
today. I'm entitled to sit up for
awhile
''I'll see about it, SIR"
Trask, alone again, resumed his
struggle with the problem of escape.
He was still at 1t when Keeler re-
turned with a tray, and he continued
it in silence as he attacked his supper
with an appetite that many an invalid
would have resigned seat in Heaven
to possess. He was not sure that he
had it solved when Keeler carried
away the empty dishes, yet he felt
that at least a little progress had
been made.
1t was dusk before he signified that
he wished to be taken out upon the
deck. Keeler glanced at the weather.
seemed doubtful, yet made the neces
sary preparations. He brought an
1vercoat which he forced his patient
to don. Over this he wrapped a
heavy shawl. Then, across the legs
hat had been riddled with phantom
bullets he tucked double thickness
of blanket.
I'm not going to the Pole. Keeler,'
Trask protested.
Nor to the cemetery, either, sir.
if I can help it,
The deck was rather densely popu.
lated when they emerged upon it and
Trask ordered to be moved on.
J. WdnI " 6ct away tHC
crowd" he explained.
1t took several minutes of wheeling
to bring him to a spot that appeared
to suit him. This was secluded from
the wind. 1t was also shielded from
the rays of any lamp. Keeler halted
the chair in a secure place and pro-
ceeded to paddock 1t. His patient
raised not the least objection.
Darkness had settled down, and the
Gulf Stream was furrowing her way
southwark through a smooth sea.
The air was soft and heavy. There
was q faint moon crescent. making
ready to follow the sun down behind
the uttermost rim of the water. A
night of nights, thought Trask.
"Keeler.''
Eyes, SIR
Have you seen Miss Kent this eve.
ning?"
mo, SIR"
would you mind looking for her?
Present my compliments and tell Miss
Kent IL she can give me even a half
hour I shall be tremendously CRATE
"And If / shouldn't find her, sir?
Will the other lady do?"
There was anathema on Trask's
lips, but he checked the words. What
Jill Olu IL iHuhCb dLtCi dii'
"Why, yes, Keeler. Come to think
of it, will you ask Miss Grimm first.
There's a matter / want to discuss
with her; we didn't finish our talk
this morning"
"Very well, sir"
Keeler did not succeed in Disgusting
the surprise in his voice, however.
He went away, wondering at the sud-
den preference for the dragon.
Trask watched his receding figure
until 1t was lost in the shadows. Then
whipping the blanket away from his
knees and tossing his shawl to the
deck, he leaped out of his chair.
His first act was to turn and roll
the shawl and blanket into the SEM
hla Of nlaoft. dxxrolln.. HITkilo hir