e a telegram and
handed it to the man. "Would you do me the favor to get this off as
early as you can?"

"Humph! Poor devil, he's got off easy; but from his looks and the tussle
we had with him, I don't think he'll be over grateful to you for
bringing him through this. I've seen so much of this kind, that I've
come to think it's better when they drop out quietly, no fuss, like as
he wanted to."

"I can't agree with you. Thank you for your help."

"Not worth mentioning; it's all in the night's work, you know. Good
night. I'll send the telegram just as soon as the wires are working. You
know my number if you want me." He handed him a card.

"Thank you; good night."

When the door closed upon him, Father Honore drew a long breath that was
half a suppressed groan; then he turned to the passive form on the cot.
There was much to be done.

He administered a little stimulant; heated some water over a small gas
stove; laid out clean sheets, a shirt, some bandages and a few surgical
instruments from a "handy closet," that was kept filled with simple
hospital emergency requirements, and set to work. He cut the shoes from
the stockingless feet; cut away the stiffened clothing, what there was
of it; laid bare the bandaged arm; it was badly swollen, stiff and
inflamed. He soaked from a clotted knife-wound above the elbow the piece
of cloth with which it had first been bound. He looked at the discolored
rag as it lay in his hand, startled at what he saw: a handkerchief--a
small one, a woman's! With sickening dread he searched in the corners;
he found them: A. A., wreathed around with forget-me-nots, all in
delicate French embroidery.

"My God, my God!" he groaned. He recalled having seen Aileen
embroidering these very handkerchiefs last summer up under the pines.
One of the sisterhood, Sister Ste. Croix, was with her giving
instruction, while she herself wrought on a convent-made garment.

What did it mean? With multiplied thoughts that grasped helplessly
hither and thither for some point of attachment, he went on with his
work. Two hours later, he had the satisfaction of knowing the man before
him was physically cared for as well as it was possible for him to be
until he should regain consciousness. His practised eye recognized this
to be a case of collapse from exhaustion, physical and mental. Now
Nature must work to replenish the depleted vitality. He could trust her
up to a certain point.

He sat by the cot, his elbow