Lost Farm Camp Part 26

David folded the letter slowly. "It's the asbestos, Aunt Elizabeth. A chap named Harrigan found it while cruising a strip of Avery's land.

Somehow or other he told Wallie about it. It's a find all right-there's miles of it in the creekbed, right on the surface. We're going to take an expert up there and inspect it-it's five-inch fibre and worth a fortune. We expect to mine and sell it. Heavens, I wish this confounded head of mine hadn't acted up at the wrong time."

"But you're going to get well, David. The doctor says you will have to rest and be quiet for a few months-"

"A few months? Why, that's all I have been doing since I came back."

"Yes, I know. Now, tell me all about this asbestos and your work. Just lie back and be comfortable and I'll listen."

For perhaps half an hour David talked Lost Farm tract and right-of-way while his aunt tried patiently to follow his explanations. She disliked to tell him that his plans might be delayed on account of the length of time necessary for a complete recovery, but an opportunity offered and she seized it.

"So that is why you want to get well in such a hurry, David? I don't like to discourage you, but Doctor Leighton says you won't be able to do anything but get well for at least a year. He's coming to talk with you about it in a day or two."

"A year! Why, Great Scott! Aunt Bess, I simply must get things moving right away. Avery expects me to."

"Why right away?"

"Why, because-because-don't you see Bas...o...b..is working day and night for possession?"

"But he hasn't got it, David."

"No."

"Well, don't worry. Promise me that you won't do anything more than write letters until you see the doctor, won't you?"

"I-I-of course I will, Aunt Elizabeth, if you ask it. You've been awfully kind-and I've been no end of trouble to you."

"Davy!"

"I know-but it's a shame, hang it all. I'm all right now."

But the trembling of his hand which rested on the arm of the chair belied his statement.

"Come, Davy, you're tired. I'll see you to your room as I used to."

Together they mounted the stairway, her arm in his.

"Good-night, laddie. If you want anything, call me. I shall hear you."

She kissed his forehead, and patted his shoulder rea.s.suringly. "It will all come right in the end, David. Just have patience with yourself-and me."

"You! Why, Aunt Bess, if-you weren't my aunt, I'd-I'd marry you to-morrow!" he exclaimed. "You're the only woman that ever did amount to shucks, anyway."

"I ken weel what you mean, Davy Ross," she replied teasingly, as he turned toward his door. "And I ken wha you be thinkin' aboot the noo."

Laughing, he turned toward her again. "Bet you don't!" he said, a.s.suming her tone of raillery.

"It mon begin wi' a 'B'?"

"You're wrong, auntie. It happens to be an 'S,' and I'm going to buy her a birthday present to-morrow."

CHAPTER XVIII-A CONSULTATION

It was several days afterward, however, before David was able to go out.

The reaction from the excitement of his home-coming left him contented with the quiet of the cool living-room, where he wrote to Avery, and eventually called up Bas...o...b..Senior, with whom he had a brief talk regarding the progress of the N. M. & Q. He acknowledged Bas...o...b..s note in regard to the asbestos samples, stating that he would call for them, which was thoroughly agreeable to the engineer, who wanted to see him.

That afternoon, about four o'clock, Dr. Leighton called. Miss Ross was out, for which both he and David were thankful, as it gave them an opportunity "to get down to bed-rock," as David expressed it.

The doctor smiled at David's a.s.sertion that he had completely recovered and wanted to do something beside rest.

"I'm tired of resting," said David.

"Yes, I know. You're all right now and you'll be all right later on if you take care of yourself. Keep out of the sun and loaf; just loaf and invite your-friends. I know it's the hardest kind of work for you. It isn't the wound-the outside of your head that needs humoring. You've had a shock that has upset things and you can thank your stars that you're not up there-permanently."

Dr. Leighton chuckled and ran his handkerchief round his perspiring face.

"I didn't think it was quite so serious," replied David.

"It isn't now, and won't be, if you give yourself half a chance. Do you know what spinal meningitis is?"

"I have an idea."

"Well, just satisfy yourself with the idea. Don't offer yourself as a subject for clinical investigation, that's all."

David was silent for a few minutes.

"I want to thank you for your personal attention to my case, Doctor-"

"Don't mention it. I don't know just what your plans are, but I understand that you have some interest in connection with the N. M. & Q.

that's worrying you. You talked about it in the hospital-when you weren't exactly yourself, you know. You had a favorite theme, something about Bas...o...b.. Smoke, and asbestos that you kept up pretty continuously."

"I don't doubt it," said David, smiling. "You don't know how I felt when I realized that I was losing my grip on things. 'Smoke' is a dog; Wallie Bas...o...b..s bull-terrier. I think I chased that dog a thousand miles the first few days I was in the hospital."

"Don't doubt it. Well, I must go." The Doctor slid a plump hand down his watch-chain and glanced at his watch. "Well, Ross, you know what to do.

I can't do any more for you than I have. You must work out, or rather rest out, your own salvation now, and it ought to be rather an agreeable task. I haven't had a rest for three years. Now, about this N. M. & Q.

business. From the reports recently circulated among the stockholders, this lumber road won't be in operation for a year or two yet, if that is any satisfaction."

"It isn't the road entirely," said David. "There are some matters in connection with the proposed right-of-way-"

"Yes," interrupted the Doctor, "I heard that matter discussed at the last meeting. I happen to have a little money invested in that project myself. Bas...o...b..talked me into it. In fact, there are a number of physicians interested."

"Is that so? Well, that's interesting. I'd like to meet you when you have more time, and talk it over."

"See here, young man, you're talking business, and that's what I advised you not to do."

"Yes, but with my physician in attendance-that makes some difference.