The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-21

Hodge came and sat beside her.
I did not occur II her that she
might die. for death had never eN-
listed in her mind in relation 20
herself Death might take those
all about her. but herself 1t would
pass by Dimlv she knew that her
illness was a long affair that II
might go on for weeks and even
months. but that seemed no longer
TO be Of any Importance. Only one
thing existed in her din brain and
that vas the determination not TO
sleep, lest while she was sleeping
he might return and sit bv her
without her knowing it. She dared
not go TO sleep lest few minutes
OF happiness escape her.
The major had 10 90 the long
way about on account Of the fire
which made the streets beyond the
tank impassa bic and on the far
SIDE Of Central Market he had 10
dismount from the porters bicycle
and walk through the red mud OF
the fields until he came to the
railroad bridge
As he walked he knew that the
fire was no accident. He was GER
tain that Colonel Mott had ar
ranged it deliberately. and 1t
struck him as odd that a man
capable of such self discipline in
science should at the same time
be utterly lswless IN relation 10
society. He had not seen the fiery
Sikh doctor for more than two
years and he was aware that there
was something dangerous about
the man. some quality. too. that
was exciting. In the moment or
two they had spent together after
Mott arrived he had felt the fire
which lay behind the black ewes Of
his fellow scientist
He found Aunt Phoebe and
Homer Smiley in the kitchen,
feeding small black child which
Smiley had found wandering about.
starved and terrified. on the out
skirts of the burning ruins. one Of
the Dap caste whose parents and
brothers and sisters had all dis
appeared. The child ate like a
small animal, never looking up
save obliquely, as if she expected
a blow.
They were astonished to see him.
He told them Of Edwina's illness.
and then. almost shvly. he re-
peated to them her wish to come
TO the mission
Homer Smiley said, But she is
better off at the hospital There
Is so little here to make her COM
Portable"
Miss Hodge will come with her.
She is quite mad but harmless, and
she can be useful. Her devotion
makes her useful"
Aunt Phoebe, putting more rice
IN the plate of the hungry child,
said. i shouldn't mind. 1t might
not be comforta bile for her but If
she wants to come we can arrange
1t. l could put her in my room and
sleep in the storeroom. now the
others have gone"
1t isn't that we don't want her"
said Homer Smiley. 4 was think
ing about what was best for her.
You see what I mean"
The major was silent for a mo-
ment Then he said. Yes. of course,
see. When I first thought of 1t,
' said the same thing, but I'm not
sure that l was right. It isn't as if
she were an ordinary patient. II
isn't Just a question of medical
treatment. You see. she wants TO
come here because she'd feel hap
pier here, and in her case. happi-
ness is of great importance"
Its up to you. major
Then I'll send her along as soon
as l can arrange tor it. Thank YOU.
l know I'm asking a great deal.
but knew you would understand
Homer Smiley said, I've got to
leave you and get back to the or
phanage now. Wen have a lot
more people to shelter after this
fire"
He went away, taking the child
with him, pushing his bicycle while
she trudged along beside him. The
ma jor watched them until they
finally disappeared into the rain
beyond the circle of dim light from
the doorway. When he turned.
Aunt Phoebe said. Il will take care
Of her myself It's better now at
the orphanage. There's not SO
much work TO do. And like her"
As he rode away a jackal ran
ielicately across the road Just in
'front.' of him and then the leaves
II the Java fig trees whispering in
nc rain began to say. She will
lie. She will die" The whispering
lie OWNED with sudden fear was
'nly the manifestation of some
'olce within himself, of some wis
ION as old as India which knew
hat she must die because it had
'een SO planned because that was
Ter destiny and his.
But the trees overhead kept
She viii die. She viii !
lie She will die"
As he neared the railway bridge
more knowledge came to him out
i The depths Of his own soul He
new that she would die because
he was too tired to make the ef-
ort 10 90 on living He had felt
while he sat on the edge of the
'ed talking 10 her That was WHY
he had asked to see Ransome.
The was like those poor half
tarved low-caste people who
made no effort TO live because II
vas easier n die.