The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-19

| smile.
 this believing; but MatE, man and | comrade, understood 1t at once. He l began to laugh. He drHmmed his | grubby little fists on his sliins and joined in the below with his child ish treble.
 "Hooray," he shouted, "the let l ter's come.", Tine shout had been heard in the portress's lodge at the gate, and everyone was greatly alarmed. They all sat in rows round the walls and were in an agony of fear for Marr 1 tin. There was humpbacked Resi- and Vesi from Schwoisshackel's s and large Frau Birndl and short Frau Mayreder.
 Hes dying" they all thought at once, each in her own dialect. And the mother superior, in spite of her seyenty-four years, shot out of her cell and sprang up the wooden stairs, two steps at a time. Black, bird like nuns with white coifs fol- lowed her and filled Martins room with their gentle leisurely move ments.
 Martin sank in slight faihtness. The stir of people confused him. and he felt that his heart would l leave his body. But he held 1t fast, hariiessing his will to the task, and l 1t pulled like willing horse in . | heavy wagon. Martin, moved his l feet under the blankets.
 "I must get up. I've got to leave here,d he said with energy. But as a moment before he had expended voice and strength to the pitch of exhaustion, no more than a feeble murmur could be heard.
 "very well-very good" the mo- ther said to comfort him. A spoon with something bitter in 1t was put to his lips. After this he drank some water and lay back for mo- ment on the pillow before getting up to travel to Berlin.
 "I am little tired, dash it all, ,'' he said, with a smile that asked forgiveness. At the same moment he went off in a trance to Waikiki where, May awaited him with the courage and reliability he loved in her so much.
 Il A number of strange things oc. cured to Martin after this. It was like 8 long railway journey. He slept and was not actually asleep He awoke and yet was not awake z. Whenever he opened his eyes he I saw the same room with the cross in the coverlet, the coarse sleeves of the hospital nightshirt. the brown wall, the saint with the fiecks oi damp. But though it all persisted 1t altered nevertheless and was al ways different every time he open. ed his eyes.
 4 For example: at one moment he saw a man whom he knew thought he had forgotten his name, stout man with a big head and pinoet. neg. This man, who, as Martin knew quite well, was afraid of the wa. ter but otherwise a good fellow held Martins hand in his and look. cd at watch. Then with a wor- ried air he vanished in a swirlinl black mist that swept past before Martin set off again on his trance Nike journey. Another time thu room was full of bustling people who were speaking about him 1T angry undertones.
 "The hescarriage is full," he said in dignantly. :. "Quite right. Very good. It vii soon be better" he was told consol' ingly.
 My mother must come," he de manded. and this seemed to sadder the people who were present. Martin settled to sleep again il i'll humor. But they wakened hin again. This time there was mal there whom Martin took to be hi old head master. He had whit beard and gold spectacles. Martil at once comported himself as if h. were still at school.
 Good evening, sir" he said re spectfully. They used to call hin Old Owl, when they were boys. Ol, owl had always interfered in mat ters that did not concern him, an' this time, too, he proceeded to re move the, dressing from Martin arm and tapped 1t with an objec resembling a fOuntain-pen. Thi was decidedly unpleasant. Martil had large, broad teeth in his shrunl en face, and at this he clenche' them with a snap.
 Courage, my dear boy" Ol, Owl said cheeringly, as if it were ; school examination.
 Dr Mayreder-yes, that was tn name of the stout fellow-put brilliant light near by. It was even lIlk VI AlS uSs 1ACA nC ouAus hN professor has come from Salzburl to get you well, Martin. So don't b. afraid. You'll come through al right"
 Martin was not in the leas afraid. "Oh, rather" he said, an, grinned with all his white teeth i, "I'll get through. I'm through al ready. I've had the letter. too"
 That's right, my dear fellow, said Old owl, benevolently. wv, shall have to make little incision You won't mind that. You won feel anything. We shan't be loni about 1t, you'll see."
 Martin became a little more aler at the words long about it." HI made no answer. He was silent fo q minute perhaps, and during thi minute he woke up completely ant his perceptions became extremel! clear. There were four people Il the room-the white-bearded pro lessor from Salzburg, Dr Mayreder the mother superior, and Q nun. Al four wore white aprons and hat the wide, excited eyes of peopl' called up to do something in thu middle of the night. Martin recov cred all his senses and went white
 Are you going to take Of m arm T" he asked In low voice.
 "Why do you gtrnightaway i'm agine the worst 2" asked Old Ow ln an equivocal tone. "We have go to cut away q iittie--to set to ths bottom of it. We shaIi only cut aI far as necessary. But 90 much VI must cut away--even lf it were thl arm. But don't worry. it won't bt as bad as that. ws'Ii soon put yot Fight."
 Martin lay hack on the pillows [ moment and shut hie eyes, fle wni lsfed, ullaiIY IIred out. IIe had ths