Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-05-04
You may get up and dress to-mor-
a., ho oal,,1y al aH


cause of my illness growing strong up
on me.
.You were found upon the road and
were picked up for dead. They
brought YOU here and 1 attended you"
Again | started up in bed, and this
time the doctor restrained me only par
tally. lie regarded me W til deep inter-
est. but BETRAYED not the slightest sign
of anxiety, although he must have been
intensely anxious all the while. The
flood of queries which. half incoher-
emily, had already shaped themselves
in my mind, now rushed to my lips,
"How came / in the road?' l de-
manded. and before Doctor Barlow
could have uttered reply had he tried
to do so. rapidly continues:
.And when was / found thereP and
whose house is thisP And my pleas
ant-voiced nurse-who is shep My,
God. doctor! tell me-who am l?'
NV brain was i'm whrl rs | uttered
these queries. and | shivered as with
the ague. But Doctor Barlow listened
as impassivcly as though 1t were all the
most commonplace matter in the world.
His persistent calmness in measure
communicated itself to me. and his
answers were given with such re-
assuring voice and air that the shock
to me was greatly lessened. There are
few men who could have conveyed the
truth to one in my excited state with
such tact and gentleness.
You met with your misfortune some
three weeks ago." he said. in his even
tones. This is my house and the
Young nurse is my daughter. 1t is
nothing so very unusual for person,
under some violent shock. either physi-
cal or mental. to lose for time all
recolectons of past events. and even
of ones own identity. You will re-
cover in time: There was nothing up
on your person to give us clue to
your name. but for the sake OF conven-
fence, since we must call you some
thing, my daughter has called you
Paul Conway. II you do not fancy
the name you may adopt any other I'M
til your memory recalls the one TO
which you are entitled.
Somehow, his candid statement of the
situation, instead Of exciting, Gained
me- / lay back upon my pillow. and
overcome by the exertion, l soon fell
asleep.
Nv physical recovery from that day
was rapid. Within = week l was dress
ed and able to walk about my room; IN
another week | was strolling about the
doctor graceful grounds. listening to
the songs of birds. enjoying the luxury
of the fresh verdure and sunshine.
Miss Barlow was with me frequently.
and was presently puzzled by con-
y,ction that she watched my move
ments. studied my countenance, and
even appeared 10 wish to keep me un-
der constant surveillance. And yet
she was otherwise so courteous and IN
all WAYS so gentle and unsellish in her
intentions, that as the weeks passed
the sweet episode of love crept into the
new life | was living. For as yet the
past remained as a sealed book TO me.
One day as we were strolling down
: the garden path l abruptly said to her;
Il think | am quite well and strong
now. and it is time for me to 60 To
work-at something" For it had more
, than once occurred to me that, with
other things. l had forgotten the means
, of gaining livelihood which | must
have once possessed.
{ Perhaps you do not need to work. II
? you could only remember who you are.
, Perhaps you are man OF wealth,
: said Miss Barlow. with one OF her
smiles which always made her plain
$ face so beautiful.
@ ut will do me little good If | am
n since do not know it, | replied.
q you must remain here until yor
recover your memory "she said so de-
cisivelv that l looked at her in sur
y Prise.
C You wish me to stay as CHART,
e pa:ientP'.
J.. Mono. You will pay my fathe
sometime. You are under his care
you know, and he is ambitious TO eflec
n cure"
AS she said this she laid one han'
!, in an eager, earnest way upon my arm
o | felt that, looking into my eyes as sh
did then, she could not fail TO read m
y heart, and in impassioncd words es
k saved to tell her of the deep pure Low
/ which / felt for her. But she checke'
l. me in hurried ANXIOUS manner
mo, nor she cried. l could Sc
r. that her face had grown deathly pale
and she glanced Involuntary Ms
n seemed, at a ring which i had NOR
o than once seen upon her finger. An
l. l was convinced then. Of what / ha
n painfully suspected before-it was a
engagement ring. .
4. you have All attachment already
% I exclaimed. unable to keep the pain {
D. disappointment from showing itself ]
W my face and voice.
4 do not ask me now" was her n
,e ply, with a glance that could not III
l. derstand, while it thrilled me strange
L. ly Wait until you are we'll. she fal
g teringly continued "and will tell 20
all. How do know that you al
,e free to love mep You may have
r. wife already, Even you do not know
IN She smiled again and hurried int
the house, leaving me alone to pond'
d. upon the strangeness Of my situation
re As l stood under the shadow OF
nc high growing hedge heard the sour
y, of voices upon the other side.
ly "All want is a good, square loo
lie at him." said one, in a velveiy voic
II can spot him easily enough. Y'
Ie, say this invalid guest Of the Barlo'
~ Ia ~ dark comDlexion? And not Oy