Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-02-28
M.H.U. SERVICE

"How?" he demanded. He was over
come with the layman's feeling of
hopelessness in the presence Of illness.
AFTER all, you are physician,
aren't your"
"Yes," he found himself forced to
say. 1t seemed horrible to have to
tell her deliberate lie.
"Then it is your duty to go to him
and tell him he's killing himself. And
couldn't you see that that horrible
Clements offered him drinks all the
timer" She sighed. at isn't very
pleasant to have to confess that my
warnings or pleadings have no longer
any effect"
You wish me to go now"
IF you would"
I'm afraid there is very little /
can do" he said rising. 81 have no
sort of authority except what he gives
me. If warning him is any good, I'll
certainly do that"
He went below and then to the bow
of the boat, feeling he was going on
a useless errand.
Railway looked up as though he had
been expecting such visit. Except
that purple hue was spread over his
face more deep than anything Betting
ton had ever seen on human visage,
he had no air of intoxication. Years
before in Paris, Bettington had noted
how absinthe acts. 1t is curious
nroportv af tho crfrik thof tie affoatC
vary with the individual. 1t gave Rad
way the delusion of incredible powers
and predisposed him to acts of physi-
cal violence.
II should like to have them all
down here" he said in mordant tone.
Il am not sure that a man has lived
unless he has actually squeezed the
life out of the Threats of men he
hates"
what particular lives do you want
to end?" Bettington asked.
1.-THE Gibbons gang, Alfred Gibbons
first. He and his group have tried
for years to hate me to death; it's
quite possible"
They're succeeding apparently"
Bettington replied, and pointed to the
bottle of absinthe in the rack. "Have
you ever thought that they may all be
concentrating on you to drink this
stuff? / don't know any surer way of
death. You better lie down, you look
all in"
Its my constant headache that
knocks me out" Railway returned, and
pressed his temples as though in pain.
Sometimes it is so bad, / actually
am blinded. It's their concen-
trated hate"
Bettington turned away in disgust.
The spectacle of this wreck, drifting
toward destruction and blaming others
for his disaster, seemed pitiful.
Don't CO." Railway said querulous-
ly. stay here"
Bettington paid no heed to him.
Mrs. Railway was waiting for him
anxiously. She could not rid herself
of the feeling that this voyage was to
end in tragedy.
Were you able to do anything?"
she demanded eagerly.
For the moment he did not answer.
He wanted to ask her question and
did not desire her to feel the humili-
alton of having to endure his gaze as
he asked it.
Have you any reason" he said
gently, ito fear physical violence from
him In this state?"
There was perceptible pause be-
fore she answered.
THE possibility exists, but it's most
remote"
IF you like" he said. all take one
of these forward staterooms to be near
him."
He hoped she would construe this to
mean that he was merely exhibiting
the physicians readiness to be at his
patients side in danger. He did not
want her to realize that Railways
safety meant nothing to him. He felt
she would be frightened to learn that
his only concern was to protect her
from the violence Of a man almost
insane.
e@'AAA tAOAC 20 ~ hCCu LUZ llldl,
she returned gratefully. SIN fact. it
might anger him If he found it out.
He has hatred of being spied upon,
as he calls it."
Mary Unwin came up at this mo-
ment with Crosby Todd. Mary smiled
pleasantly, but the wireless operator
paid no attention to the ships sur
geon. Bettington watched Mary with
the artists admiration as she went
off with Todd. She seemed to embody
youth.
Il hardly realized the child was so
beautiful" he muttered.
"She's in love-" said Mrs. Railway.
II don't think she has ever been in
love before. She has found a new
heaven and new earth"
Clements passed by.
"There's the man Captain Hallett
particularly dislikes,' Mrs. Railway