"That's all right, man," Coburn interrupted warmly. "Don't think about it again. It was damn good luck my running across you, that's all. If I'd known, of course-- Say! that took sand, what you did to-day. Wheeler told Venetia all about it, and she told me. It makes a man feel good to see some one who has got the nerve to stand up and take medicine, and not try everlastingly to sneak out of things! If more folks nowadays would do that, it would be better for us all. Don't you mind what the papers say. They have to fling mud,--that's their game!" "Well, it doesn't make much difference now what they say except,--except for my wife," Jackson answered dully. "And that can't be helped." "Oh, I guess it won't last long. And somehow women don't mind those things half as much as you'd think, at least the best ones don't. And from what Venetia says, yours is one of the best!" "Yes! That doesn't make it any easier. But I haven't congratulated you!" he exclaimed, repressing the confession of his own pain. "She is a splendid woman, lots of spirit," he remarked awkwardly. "I rather think so!" A pleased smile illuminated the doctor's grave face. "She's just about the best ever!" "I hope you will be happy," Jackson continued conventionally. "Well, we expect to--don't see why we shouldn't. I guess we know pretty much what's to be found on both sides, and won't make ourselves uncomfortable looking for what ain't there." Venetia came down the stairs very quietly, her exuberance all gone, and as she entered the room she was still wiping away the traces of tears. "Poor little Powers!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Jack! I am terribly sorry." "What's the matter?" Coburn demanded. "It's pneumonia, poor little man!" Jackson's lip trembled beneath his mustache, as he murmured to himself:-- "Yes, I supposed it would be. It's as tough as it well could be, for her!" "I know he'll come through,--he must!" Venetia exclaimed helplessly, and added in a burst of admiration, "That trouble couldn't happen to Helen--it just couldn't! She's so splendid, Jack! It's a big thing to know there are such women about. She's holding him up there now, with a smile on her face!" Jackson turned away from her eager eyes.