第51章

``Jane,'' cried Selma, ``make this man pass us!''

Jane faced the policeman, explained who she was.He became humbly civil at once.``I've just told her, ma'am,'' said he, ``that his house is burning.The mob's gutting the New Day office and setting fire to everything.''

``My house is in the next street,'' said Colman.``Drive there.

Some of you people get Dr.Charlton-- and everything.Get busy.

Whip up, driver.Here, give me the lines!''

Thus, within five minutes, Victor was lying upon a couch in the parlor of Colman's cottage, and within ten minutes Dr.Charlton was beside him and was at work.Selma and Jane and Mrs.Colman were in the room.The others--a steadily increasing crowd--were on the steps outside, in the front yard, were filling the narrow street.Colman had organized fifty Leaguers into a guard, to be ready for any emergencies.Over the tops of the low houses could be seen the vast cloud of smoke from the fire; the air was heavy with the odors of burning wood; faintly came sounds of engines, of jubilant drunken shouts.

``A fracture of the skull and of the jaw-bone.Not necessarily serious,'' was Dr.Charlton's verdict.

The young man, unconscious, ghastly pale, with his thick hair mussed about his brow and on the right side clotted with blood, lay breathing heavily.Ellen Clearwater came in and Mrs.Colman whispered to her the doctor's cheering statement.She went to Jane and said in an undertone:

``We can go now, Jane.Come on.''

Jane seemed not to hear.She was regarding the face of the young man on the couch.

Ellen touched her arm.``We're intruding on these people,'' she whispered.``Let's go.We've done all we can.''

Selma did not hear, but she saw and understood.

``Yes--you'd better go, Jane,'' she said.``Mrs.Colman and Iwill do everything that's necessary.''

Jane did not heed.She advanced a step nearer the couch.``You are sure, doctor?'' she said, and her voice sounded unnatural.

``Yes, miss----'' He glanced at her face.``Yes, Miss Hastings.

He'll be out in less than ten days, as good as ever.It's a very simple affair.''

Jane glanced round.``Is there a telephone? I wish to send for Dr.Alban.''

``I'd be glad to see him,'' said Dr.Charlton.``But I assure you it's unnecessary.''

``We don't want Dr.Alban,'' said Selma curtly.``Go home, Jane, and let us alone.''

``I shall go bring Dr.Alban,'' said Jane.

Selma took her by the arm and compelled her into the hall, and closed the door into the room where Victor lay.``You must go home, Jane,'' she said quietly.``We know what to do with our leader.And we could not allow Dr.Alban here.''

``Victor must have the best,'' said Jane.

She and Selma looked at each other, and Selma understood.

``He HAS the best,'' said she, gentle with an effort.

``Dr.Alban is the best,'' said Jane.

``The most fashionable,'' said Selma.``Not the best.'' With restraint, ``Go home.Let us alone.This is no place for you--for Martin Hastings' daughter.''

Jane, looking and acting like one in a trance, tried to push past her and reenter the room.Selma stood firm.She said:

``If you do not go I shall have these men take you to your carriage.You do not know what you are doing.''

Jane looked at her.``I love him,'' she said.

``So do we,'' said Selma.``And he belongs to US.You must go.

Come!'' She seized her by the arm, and beckoning one of the waiting Leaguers to her assistance she pushed her quietly but relentlessly along the hall, out of the house, out of the yard and into the carriage.Then she closed the door, while Jane sank back against the cushions.

``Yes, he belongs to you,'' said Jane; ``but I love him.Oh, Selma!''

Selma suddenly burst into tears.``Go, Jane, dear.You MUSTgo,'' she cried.

``At least I'll wait here until--until they are sure,'' said Jane.``You can't refuse me that, Selma.''

``But they are sure,'' said Selma.``You must go with your friends.Here they come.''

When Ellen Clearwater and Joe Wetherbe--the second son of the chief owner of the First National-- reached the curb, Selma said to Wetherbe:

``Please stand aside.I've something to say to this lady.''

When Wetherbe had withdrawn, she said: ``Miss Hastings is--not quite herself.You had better take her home alone.''

Jane leaned from the open carriage window.``Ellen,'' said she, ``I am going to stay here until Victor recovers consciousness, and I am SURE.''

``He has just come around,'' said Ellen.``He is certain to get well.His mind is clear.''

``I must see for myself,'' cried Jane.

Selma was preventing her leaving the carriage when Ellen quietly interfered with a significant look for Selma.``Jane,'' she said, ``you can't go in.The doctor has just put every one out but his assistant and a nurse that has come.''

Jane hesitated, drew back into the corner of the carriage.

``Tell Mr.Wetherbe to go his own way,'' said Ellen aside to Selma, and she got in beside Jane.

``To Mr.Hastings','' said Selma to the driver.The carriage drove away.

She gave Ellen's message to Wetherbe and returned to the house.

Victor was still unconscious; he did not come to himself until toward daylight.And then it was clear to them all that Dr.

Charlton's encouraging diagnosis was correct.

Public opinion in Remsen City was publicly articulate by means of three daily newspapers--the Pioneer, the Star, and the Free Press.The Star and the Free Press were owned by the same group of capitalists who controlled the gas company and the water works.The Pioneer was owned by the traction interests.Both groups of capitalists were jointly interested in the railways, the banks and in the principal factories.The Pioneer was Republican, was regarded as the organ of Dick Kelly.The Star was Democratic, spoke less cordially of Kelly and always called for House, Mr.House, or Joseph House, Esquire.The Free Press posed as independent with Democratic leanings.It indulged in admirable essays against corruption, gang rule and bossism.But it was never specific and during campaigns was meek and mild.