face.

"Don't be young," growled Ellis faintly. "Did--he--get--the--press?"

"No."

The wounded man's eyes closed. "All right," he murmured.

Up to the time that the ambulance surgeons came to carry Ellis away, Dr.
Elliot was too busy with him even to be questioned. Only after the still
burden had passed through the door did he turn to Hal.

"A piece of metal carried away half the back of his neck," he said. "And
we let him sit there, bleeding his life away!"

"Is there any chance?" demanded Hal.

"I doubt if they'll get him to the hospital alive."

"The best man in Worthington!" said Hal passionately. "Oh!" He shook his
clenched fists at the outer darkness. "I'll make somebody pay for this."

Esme's hand fell upon his arm. "Do you want me to stay?" she asked.

"No. You must go home. It's been a terrible thing for you."

"I'll go to the hospital," she said, "and I'll 'phone you as soon as
there is any news."

"Better come home with me, Hal," said his father gently.

The younger man turned with an involuntary motion toward the desk, still
wet with his friend's blood.

"I'll stay on the job," he said.

Understanding, the father nodded his sympathy. "Yes; I guess that would
have been Mac's way," said he.

Work pressing upon the editor from all sides came as a boon. The paper
had to be made over for the catastrophe which, momentarily, overshadowed
the typhus epidemic in importance. In hasty consultation, it was decided
that the "special" on the ownership of the infected tenements should be
set aside for a day, to make space. Hal had to make his own statement,
not alone for the "Clarion," but for the other newspapers, whose
representatives came seeking news and also--what both surprised and
touched him--bearing messages of sympathy and congratulation, and offers
of any help which they could extend from men to pressroom
accommodations. Not until nearly two o'clock in the morning did Hal find
time to draw breath over an early proof, which stated the casualties as
seven killed outright, including Veltman who was literally torn to
pieces, and twenty-two seriously wounded.

From his reading Hal was called to the 'phone. Esme's voice came to him
with a note of hope and happiness.

"Oh, Hal, they say there's a chance! Even a good chance! They've
operated, and it isn't as bad as it looked at first. I'm so glad for
you."

"Thank you," said Hal huskily. "And--bless you! You've been an angel
to-night."

There