The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-08

held her arm, while for an instant she looked through the isinglass window of the oxygen tent and saw Howard, blue-parched and gaunt, stubby growth of beard giving his face strange neglected aspect, his lips drawn back, bis eyes half closed, while all the room sounded with the suffering, labor of his breath. Two white-masked, white gowned nurses tended the oxygen pump-they- and the strange appa- ratus made the room like spec tral laboratory.
 Amy did not tremble now as she had trembled when she stood be- fore Jane. She stood very still and put out one hand, palm up, very, little way, as if she offered him her own strength, her own undying tenderness and trust. It gave the hard boiled doctor queer awe. He felt her heart going past him, going to that dying man on the bed, pushing death back from him, denying it, refusing its terrible im- minence. As they went slowly to the living room, Amy said: II wish he could be got, out of this place."
 "Ah," thought the doctor, "she knows. A damned shame" Aloud | he said, 'itls impossible. Of course, he never should have been brought here, but he can't be moved"
 Ut must" went on Amy, almost as if talking to herself, 'be the greatest inconvenience to Jane. Not that it matters"
 The doctor had always prided himself on being incurious on per- sonal matters. Now this pride failed him. Do you know Miss Terry?" he could not help asking. I've known her ever since we were children" said Amy. She an- swered the question mechanically. Her whole being was back in the sickroom, holding fast to Howard, that he might not give up, slip away from her forever. Maybe I was all wrong about | the husband and Terry" thought | the doctor, but he had one more question. Miss Terry said that she was a relation of yours--or | was it of your husband?"
 |
 Again Amy replied mechanically: "Yes. They're distant cousins | NOllHSSllOASy it IICI NOA-S changed to intense and anxious de- mand: When will you know about Howard? Are you sure about his condition? Could we have more doctors, a consultation Would it help?"
 By this time they were back with the Colonel and Professor Lowe. who heard what Amy had said Professor Lowe came forward: You must forgive my daughters bluntness. She is in great dis | tress."
 | "I'll give you the names of the best men in the city and arrange q consultation with any of them you choose, immediately. 1 appreciate Mrs Jackson's feeling"
 If we could only get him away from here," cried Amy. II can't stay here-and I must. won't i leave hiE1." V We.
 "But my dear child," said her father, Jane wouldn't want you to l go. .. l wonder'.. where is Jane if we could talk to
 Jane won't come back" said Amy. She put her hand over her ] eyes, spoke in a low voice as if to herself. But we must stay-we must stay"
 Suppose" said Professor Lowe. that I speak to the maids. And I'll sees JaLe. I'll arrange things. I'll arrange everything. And in the meantime. If we could get at that consultation, doctor. Choose your own specialists. You know your field"
 The Colonel was grateful. This old professor had smooth way with him. He could take charge. And he, the Colonel. would be re- leased to his duty. which this sad ! affair of Jackson's illness was throwing completely out of gear. Particularly was the Colonel glad at the prospect of no more inter- views with Jane. He hadn't known what to do with her. An eXtraordi- narily trying woman. "Ill be back later" he told them, land I'll he telephoning before that. Here's where you can get me if you want me"
 The doctor went to the tele- phone, Professor Lowe disappeared toward the kitchen to investigate and placate the servants and Amy was in the strange big room alone. She was in that state of weari- ness and exhaustion where rest is impossible and the nerves whip the mind into a ferment of activity for which there is no pause. She thought of everything at once:, the baby left at home. it was fortunate now that she hadn't been able to nurse him: the awful scene with Jane--why had Jane told such lies l-when Amy knew from the Colonel that the very day Howard had been taken sick was the first tirle he'd been away from the camp since his arrival from Tex as! And even if the Colonel had not told her this. Jane might have known that Amy would never be- tlieve Howard unfaithful! She