"A fracture of the skull, threatening serious complications injurious to the brain," was the extent of Dr. Joseph's commitment to Ephraim as he stepped into the reception room of the hospital in advance of several of the staff physicians, who had witnessed his operation. The case had proven serious, and of intense interest from a professional standpoint. Ephraim had returned to the hospital immediately after dinner. The status of the young man, so eager to know all the details, was not understood by the operating surgeon, and he looked on him with some skepticism. Frequent experiences. under similar circumstances with reporters, claim agents, and inquisitive people, had schooled him along non-communicative lines. Besides, he was physically tired, and unable to free his mind. of the responsibility still resting upon him if the life of his attractive little patient was to be saved.

Pressed for more particulars the doctor looked Ephraim squarely in the face and said: "Who is this young lady and what right have you to inquire so closely about her injuries?" Satisfied with the explanation given him, the matter-of-fact head of the operating staff of the hospital force said: "We expect to hold a consultation in an hour. By that time the patient may recover consciousness-she may be dead. If you care to remain, I will try and find time to go into details."

"She may be dead"-Ephraim, strong, robust, man of iron, trembled noticeably as he contemplated such a dreadful consequence of his unintentional act of violence. Only those who have personally experienced the nervous tension of painful waiting for developments at hospitals, can realize how slowly the moments pass. A thousand scenes of his boyhood, college days,

and brief experience in the great metropolis, crowded into a composite picture before him. Past joys and sorrows, hilarity and sober second thought, light heartedness and stern reality in feverish impulses excited his very being. Visions entranced his longing for the recovery of this unknown child, for child she had appeared to him when he studied her face the few short moments she lay prostrate before him on the pavement, in his arms after he had assisted in picking her up, and while she lay upon a stretcher in the ambulance before being rushed away to the hospital, since which he had not seen her. He could not tell whether the victim of his rashness, as he regarded her, was the daughter of a millionaire, wife of a prosperous young banker, sister of a professional man of prominence, or one of the countless scores of capable young women of the city who work themselves into invaluable positions by application and natural ability. She might easily be any one of these as far as appearances went. Ephraim was most curious, and seriously annoyed because he could not summon the relatives or friends, who properly should be with her at such a critical time.

Ephraim had taken the least time possible for his dinner before returning to the hospital. Both Aunt Norma and Uncle Orson observed that their nephew was in a highly excitable condition, although he tried very adroitly to hide his nervousness. The latter commented upon Ephraim's distracted manner, a most unusual thing for the elder to do. His wife, although herself mentally disturbed, replied lightly that she imagined the expected participation of Ephraim in the tournament the following Monday was occupying his mind. She did not believe anything of the kind. The fact was, she did not know what to think, and this truth annoyed her very much.

The elevator descended to the main floor of the hospital building. Dr. Joseph with other serious looking surgeons alighted. All but the former disappeared through the vestibule door leading to the street. He was approached at once by Ephraim. The two stepped into a side consultation room and the surgeon said directly: "We are entirely unwarranted at this time in drawing inference. Fractures of the skull are most serious injuries. The head is of peculiar construction. According to some authorities the skull is formed of certain pillars or buttresses of thick bone, with thinner parts between, the pillars following the vertical or meridian lines from the base to the vertex. Those who hold to this theory say that fissures are apt to run in the thin bone between these pillars. The belief of the anatomy of the head I have does not uphold this theory. Another authority contends that the fissures are apt to run in definite and limited directions. Thus a severe blow, like hitting the sidewalk, would injure the anterior or posterior parts of the vertex and produce fissures down to the corresponding portions of the base. Blows on the side of the head would involve the base on the same side. As only one-third of the fractures, according to recent investigations, appear to be governed by this assumed law, our difficulty of arriving at a conclusion is understood. The momentum with which a blow is struck determines the occurrence of the fracture. The blunt surface causing this fracture has produced fissures. The skull possesses great elasticity. The longitudinal diameter may be shortened fifteen millimeters. Here we have a fracture, however, of the base. This came from the spine when the head was driven down upon it. Circular fissures surrounding the foramen magnum, though unusual, are one of the complications we have to contend with. We have repaired the injury as well as possible. Portions

of the bone are entirely detached, and the comminuted fracture has been reduced. We can only await developments. Complications as the result of other injuries of an external nature may result in abscesses. Meningitis and Encephalitis are possible. Although severely bruised, the body discloses no other serious disturbances."

With no further comment the doctor walked away and disappeared.

At ten o'clock the attending nurse reported a satisfactory condition of the patient. She had not spoken yet, was breathing with regularity, although not without great effort conducive of apparent pain. Absolute quiet had been ordered for the entire night.

With instructions to call him at his residence if apparently fatal conditions developed during the night, Ephraim passed out into the noisy street, a wretched, depressed and very much unsettled young man, with a great undertaking confronting him on the second day following.

Annabelle was deeply concerned when she observed that Percy planned to accompany Aunt Norma and herself home in their car from the Daybreak Club. She expected a repetition of annoyances from him, and decided to speak her mind freely if anything of the kind occurred. Her fears were groundless, for he deported himself as a gentleman. a gentleman. His scheme was carefully thought out. By referring regretfully to the apparent annoyances of the evening at the club, he thought to create a favorable impression upon the unsophisticated country girl, and induce her to call at his studio. Such an invitation was extended to her. The suggestion was made in most attractive form. The prospective guests gave thanks for the proffered courtesy. Annabelle was most guarded, however, in not committing herself. When the limousine drew up in front of Uncle Orson's home, Aunt Norma, after alighting with her niece, directed the chauffeur to take Mr. Hitchcock to his apartment at Cherries. In taking his departure he expressed the extreme pleasure he had enjoyed as their escort. Then they went to the drawing room. Naturally there was a silence for a time. between Aunt and Niece. Then the former offered profuse excuses for all that had transpired. She could not disclaim the friendship of the fast set because she had assured Annabelle in the lobby at The Palace "all were intimate acquaintances" of hers, and bent only on harmless pleasure. Her bridge was burned so far as retreat was concerned, she having applied the torch. There was no alternative except to attempt justification. This was next to impossible so far as Annabelle was concerned. The patronizing attitude the aunt employed when she went about the perplexing task.