Evening star., 1932-08-19

and expert care, was unaware OF
what was happening to her.
~ Martin, fearing it would upset
her If she recognized him. kept
in the background. until she became
too delirious and i'll to be at all cog
infant of her whereabouts. She was
put under the influence of a sedative
that night. The next day she was so
much worse that she rapidly passed
into complete inconsistencies. So she
knew nothing of the day and night
nurses who fought to save her life; OF
the famous physician who came at
Martins behest to use his skill in her
behalf; of the anxious young man with
such amazing red hair who hovered
about her bed, giving orders that were
often useless in the hope of helping
her; Of the scandalized housekeeper
who wasted little sympathy on her and
shifted at the wisps of chiffon that
Martin insisted were the proper night
gowns for her.
At first Martin tried to make him.
self believe that he had no interest in
this unknown girl other than an altru-
istic one. He was simply putting into
practice the humanitarian principles
on which much of his conduct was
promised. He only wished to see her
restored to health again, and even
though he came to Jeans room several
times a day, he remained only a few
minutes.
Then he gave himself up to an over
powering impulse to sit beside her and
speculate upon the mystery that sur
rounded her He was keen student
of character, but she puzzled him. in
fact, completely baf1ed him. What
possible motive could cause beautiful.
refined girl like Jean to do what she
had done? Was she mentally and
morally twisted?
There came a day, finally, when all
such speculation ceased. Jean had
reached the crisis Of her illness. Her
life balanced delicst tely on the scales
between this world and the next
Martin found himself obSessed with
Get DR.. jenkins" he commanded
the nurse. Tell hip to cancel all
appointments and arrange to remain
f-Ec Indefinitely"
Sitting beside Jean, studying her
delicate, fair skin, her intelligent fore
head from which the dark curlS had
been brushed back the sensitive. full
mouth, and patrician nose, he told him.
self that she could be nothing but good
no matter what the evidence. This led
him to a realization that he was in love
with her, and while she was so close TO
death, he was willing to admit 1t to
himself But if she lived would he be
big enough to forget the grave mistake
size had made?
Had a man ever been so tortured
before? Contemplating what blankness
he would face if she died, he hastened
to assure himself that nothing would
matter II he could only keep her. Like
most persons brought face to ace with
death, his vision was becoming clarified
and he was sure he would not question
jeans integrity if she were spared
Leaning over her, he kissed her for the
hrst time, and taking one OF her thin
white hands in his, held 1t in his firm
strong grasp as If he would impart to
her some of his own vigorous strength.
He sat there long time, oblivious to
everything. Mrs Robbins came to the
door once, gave characteristic sniff
and turned away The nurse on duty
hovered discreetly in the background.
DR.. jenkins arrived.
Martin got up Il though you'd never
get here" he reproached the doctor. Is
she going TO die?"
The doctor bent over her. Then he
motioned Martin to follow him out ol
the room. He put his hand on the
young mans shoulder and looked under
SJAnQllRIy AT Illli AlV dlo SOu Say
Assurediy not She's decidedly better
Couldn't you tell she is sleeping natur-
ally for the first time? Come down
stairs and let me give you good scold
ing"
He went downstairs with this kline
old man who had been present when ht
was born, and proffered him drink. HI
could scarcely stand the relief, ane
listened to the doctors words in daz;
Of uncomprehension
A little later he got in his roadster
and drove for hours, seeing nothing
hearing nothing When he got back t.
the house and went up to Jeans room
again, the nurse met him with smil
ing face.
''Still sleeping" she said. steppinI
outside and closing the door. "Th
doctor said she was not to be disturbed.
The next day Martin was called T.
Chicago on an important business mat
ter that could not be wisely trusted t
o representative An industry which h
was financing was in bad way, an
the sacrifice would be such that busi