The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-21
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husband appears big and healthy. But I should say that he'S-well, overdone himself. Fellows like that hit a pretty hard pace sometimes, believing that because they're husky they can take it. Then something like this happens"
 Sandra rushed toward them, her eyes blazing in her excitement. Doctor, if you're bluffing - if you're stalling and don't know the answer to this-you'd better call a specialist from the city"
 The little doctor faced her calmly. My dear young woman, this is very simple case. Even simple enough for Q poor country doctor like myself. A young man has been overdoing himself for months, possibly years. Under the influence of alcohol he dives against a submerged stump, in- CUTS @ concusSion of the brain. Even a specialist from the city could do only what I am going to do."
 "And what is that?" demanded Sandra.
 "Wait," smiled the doctor. Make the patient comfortable, and wait. I hope 1t will be possible for me to stay here to- night?"
 Under his steady gaze Sandra was quickly reasonable, and con- trite. Please forgive me, doctor. I-we're' all so wrought up. Of course you may stay here."
 "Thank you" The doctor turned to Helena. q want to suggest that you get some sleep, Mrs. Henderson. Your husband seems to be resting easily now, and there is nothing you can do for the moment"
 Helena nodded. She let Sandra guide her to the door of her room, but she felt certain she would be unable to sleep. Neyertehelss, she lay fully dressed on the bed, and soon had drifted into a troubled doze for sheer wearniness.
 When she awoke, the first Streaks of dawn painted the sky beyond her window. Helena lay there 8 moment thinking: "It's been 8 horrible dream. Peter wasn't hurt. There there wasn't even a wedding" But then the reality of day crowded in, and she faced again the truth. She and Peter Henderson were mar ried. Last night they were to have embarked on the night train for their honeymoon. But a scant few hours after the ceremony he had been hurt, might even now be be
 Helena clamped her damp palms to her head and sat upright. How could she have slept? Somehow she dreaded going into that other room, facing Sandra and the rest.
 But nobody was in the big room except the Leigh girl who stood by the fireplace in the same clothes she had worn the night before. Somhehow Helena knew that Sandra had slept If she had selpt at a1l-on the davenport be- fore the hearth.
 "How is he?" Refena asked fearfully.
 The other tried to smile. About the same, I think. MT. Courtney ana the doctor are Ill there now"
 "Oh !. Then he-then the lawyer arrived last .l1igheP'
 Sandra nodded. "On the mid- night plane. Someone drove them over from the town" She hesi- tated then went on. You knew that Leah Frazier came, too?" Helena did not answer at once, and Sandra added another qnes- tion. Peter told you about Leah?"
 A cold fear took hold of Helena's heart, but she said, "Yes. He asked me to tell MT. Courtney to bring her along"
 Sandra looked relieved. Its natural that he should ask that. You see, he's known Leah all his life - and I suppose that in his home town everyone expected them to marry. You know how 1t is in places like that"
 Helena nodded duly. Why was Sandra so nervous? What was she trying to hide? Something - that was obvious. She's in one of the rooms upstairs" Sandra was go- ing on. After the plane ride and the excitement, she was pretty well done in."
 The door opened behind Helena. Without turning she somehow knew that 1t was the doctor and Court ney who were coming into the room. And suddenly, horribly, she knew something else. Unaccountably, she knew. With 8 choking sob, she flung herself into Sandra's arms. "Sandra! Oh, Sandra he's dead. Peters dead" It came to her clearly in the midst of her de- spair that Peter had realized all along that he was going. AS gently as he could he had tried to make her realize 1t, too. But she had blinded herself with that hope which is at once the salvation and the curse of every human being.
 Hours later she sat facing John Courtney, her eyes red with con- stant weeping, her lips pale and sagging. He had been talking for several minutes, but Helena had not heard him. Since that first awful moment she had neither heard nor seen anything. And then suddenly something that Courtney said struck into her consciousness, brought her back into the sem- blance of a living person.
 SO you will be well pro- vided for, Mrs. Henderson, if you exercise reasonable care in the man. agement of the Henderson Depart