Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-13

Wed better start with the aspirin" he said
slowly. Ten grains, say?"
Fifteen, If he's in pain" suggested Barton,
and together they went into the tent and raised
the wounded mans head held the aspirin to
his lips, with a mug of whisky and water 70
wash it down.
Whisky straight" said Sloanes grating
voice
Hes used to it," said Drew briefly, and gave
it 10 him straight.
You know him rather well, don't you?" said
Barton.
We're neighbors."
"Then--if this runs into days-what dyou
think of sending for his wife? He'll need q
good nurse"
Drew found himself staring down into
Sloanes eyes, and those eyes were staring
straight up at him. hooking him.
Drew wrenched his eyes from the balefulness
Of that mockery. He pulled out camp chair
and set it beside the bed. Wen know more
tomorrow" he said. Shall / take nrst watch
or your"
I'm extraordinarily fatigued" the other
man admitted. And don't mind confesSing,
could do with some hot water. But be sure
to call me when you are ready to turn in"
he admOnished, and, with q last glance ct
Sloane'S flushed face, he went to his own tent.
Drew sat there, his fingers touching the
bottle in his pocket. Aconite. Release from
that man in that bed. Release for Peggy. He
tried to whip that numb spirit OF his with
thoughts of Peggy here beside Sloane. bending
over him. bearing the burden of nursing him;
the heavier burden of his inconceivable spites
But the strength seemed to have gone out Of
Drew; q dead despair lay on his spirit.
man, apparently, could not escape from
himSeh-from the self that traditions Of cotEr-
age and scrupulouS dealing had built in him.
There were things, apparently, that such man
could not do-and murder, no matter how well
deserved, appeared to be one of them. Not in
cold blood
WAS he q coward, after all? Was he not
strong enough in spirit to bear the ne
SpOnSibility?
And he had lost his moment. He had been
the one to intervene and snatch this man back
from the just fate that had overtaken hint
There was still time. Tonight-before the
doctor came. Tonight-before Barton took his
turn. But could he live his life out with that
memory?
He went to the tent door and looked out
There was no moon, but the stars were bright
and hlled the little clearing with q pale gray
haze like light at the bottom Of a wen The
enctrcling forest was wall Of black
The porters were asleep. their INTENDED fire
a mass of embers Stiffness possessed the place
that curious sense of stiffness which is not
silence though it seems silence compounded as
it is of myriad night noises high shriIling Of
insects IN faint eternal vibrancy.
He turned his haggard face up to the stars
and stood so, and the clamor within him died
quietly away There was madness in the Afri-
can moon, but there was peace In the stars.
He felt. the light of them like something pail
pable flowing in upon him, remote but aus
terely clear.
He went back into the tent and put the
bottle Of aconite in the open medicine kit ON
the box used for q stand. Then he went TO-
Barton'S tent and reused him.
viii you take him ON nOw?" he asked wanlV:
and when Barton, in mosquito boots, cOrding
his heavy bathrobe about him against the chill
of the tropic night, had joined him in Sloanes
tent, the two stood a moment looking down
on the injured man.
HE looks bad said Barton 49,
"He is bad" said Drew.
Have you given him anything?" :.
Drew shook his head and a curious smile
played family at the somber corners of his
mouth
Perhaps we'd better try the veronaI," said
Barton He's in pain. No good of that. Whats
the dosage2" ~.
Drew held the bottle Of veronal to the Ian
terms mica side and they both studied the i'm
scription -
-Four" said Drew finally, and put the bottle
back.
Wed better make it FIVE" said Barton,
doubtfully. What dyou Think That's stuffs
old.
He stood sleepily holding in his fingers the
bottle he had taken up. But it was not the
same bottle that Drew had set dOwn-it was
not the bottle of veronal
Drew did not know this-he was staring down
on the coarse, bestial face on the cot pillow.
-Four, think" he answered. His heart, you
know"
"A 1rinker?"
Drew nodded. He heard the pellets shaken
out behind him, and counted in Barton's tired
voice: "One - two three - four Sure that's
enough?"
1T ought to be-"
He heard the cork replaced the bottle re-
turned to the kit Then Barton reached for
the water bottle and Drew handed it to him
Good night" he said Call me when you
want me. Good night"