Los Angeles daily herald., 1885-12-20
CHAPTER VII


Six months and more hal elapsed since
Willie and Curly had parted. Jameson
thought it strange, after all Dlnald's pro-
testation5 that he had never once written,
and the soft place in his heart grew sore.
At length the time arrived for the return
of the company to Aberdeen.
One day, taking a solitary rambls in the
neighborhoo1 OF the GaiEloch Head, the
Young trageiian encountered a lady and her
maid driving in an open pony carriage. She
looked at Lin, AMI bowed; he bowed again
as she passed out Of sight The face evoked
an iInpressiOn-not a recollection. Yes he
had seen face somewhere like that before.
Could it lei Pshawl No This woman was
sternsr and older-she was twenty years
older-and vet, how the face haunted him!
Next morning he found letter on the
breakfast table It was an official 10 1kinz
document, written on blue paper. On the
outside was printed in bold characters,
ROYAL Infrmary, Dundee The super
scription was in a strange hand. Eagerly
tearing open the envelope, be read these six
words:
DEAR WILLIE: Come to me.-CURLYn
Feeble and indistinet as were the charac-
tiers. there was no mistake abou { the writer
Without waiting for fool or anything else
Willie ran down to Johnston's lodgings,
showed him the letter and asked leave OF
absence. The manager, who was not with
out just cause for complaint against Curly
for .bolting" at a moments notice and
leaving him in the lurch, said:
Go, my lad--go at oncs. There's some
thing wrong, depend on it, Do you want
any tint
swell. I'm not all over money, sir, and
Imay want something when get to Dun
dee
"Well-take ton pounds. VIII that be
enough"
Quite enough
"Stop Should you need any more send
for it. and tell tie young beggar that the
old berth is open to him il he likes to come
back Goodbye, and good luck to you.
Drop me line as soon as you see how the
land lies. and take a week leave OF absence
III play Macbeth tonight, and arrange the
business for the rest Of the week without
YOU
Next morning, by II o'clock, Jameson
was at the infirmary in Dundee. DR.. Dixon
told him, as far as he knew, all that hal
happened, then they went to the invalld's
room together. They found him sleeping
TRANQUILITY, but oh, so changed, so worn and
wasteJ the sight went to Winie's heart
When poor Curly awoke he lookel up. their
eyes met there was a eonvulsive movement
about the mouth and the muscles of the
throat then be gasped cut the first articu-
late words he had uttered for months
willie, dear old chap knew you'd come"
With that he put his wasted arms around
the other neck, AMI burst out crying like a
child. The doctor blew his nose till it re-
sounded like a speaking trum1et, and with
drew, leaving orders for ths two young mel
to be left alone. Thanks TO his influence,
they slept in the same room, 50 that
theY were not separated night or day dur
ing his snort visit. After that CurIy's To-
covery, though sill slow, was certain.
Jameson was, Of course, anxious to know
what hal really occurred since their part
ing, and how it was that the accident or
outrage had happened Gas day he preached
the subjecs, but at the mere mention Of
FIora's namo the Other fell into paroxysm
Of grief, which was not only terrific to be-
hold, but caused a relapse Of 50 serious
character as TO be attended with great dan
ger. That morning, when DR.. Dixon came
he found the patient trembling. eonvulse
and speechless. Tbs work Of months had
been undone in an infant
Whats upf' be inquired
When Jameson explained he grunted,
''Oh, a woman, OF course. l might have
known that; there always Is a woman,
That explains the rest There is a man,
then. doubtless-another man-and he it IS
who has smashed this poor lads skull Dye
ken the numbering their
II think lido, repliel Willie IF were
sure Of 1T II only | were sure Of it
Anyhow, you may be quite sure Of one
thing said Dixon The blow that nearly
bludgeoned your friend out of life came
from loaded weapon Of some sort"
III live said the other. I'm find it out
know the mamie may escape the law,
bns, = and he set his teeth, me shall not
escaps una Ii mas not be to-day, nor to
morrow. nor next week-but sooner or
later, IN have il Out with him as sure as
my mares Willie Jameson And 50 tho