She half raised her head to kiss him, and the old man bent down and pressed his lips to hers very tenderly, before leaving the room, closely followed by Dick.
“I know it’s a dreary place to come to, Hopper,” he said; “and we’ve only had one tune-up together; but when she’s—better—Hopper, old man, if I wrote and asked Tom to come, would it be wrong?”
“Hey? Wrong? Yes. Don’t do anything of the sort. Hey? What’s that?”
“Only a letter for Max. I hear he’s laid up. Don’t let him know who sent it—that’s all.”
The old man nodded, and held out his hand.
“Do you know why I’m going in such a hurry?” he whispered.
“No,” was the reply.
“I’ll tell you,” said Hopper. “If your girl’s left like that, she’ll die. I’m going to send her the best doctor in town.” Ten minutes after Hopper was at the station, where he telegraphed one short message, climbed slowly into his seat, reached the terminus in due time, and on being driven to his chambers found some one waiting for him.
“How is she?” cried Tom eagerly, as the cats crowded round their master.
“Dying!” said Hopper briefly.