Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-10-26

out of him as by a miracle.
As the soldier looked silently at the
motionless head on the pillow, a
strange emotion thrilled him, for
there was a "reminiscences Of another
face in Docks which bafled his re-
membrance to grasp it quite complete
ly, And yet that remembrance was
very strong, although he could not re-
member ever having noticed it before
tonight.
What could it be?
He went home to tho Albany, oddly
haunted by it,
The following morning he passed
the Eleu5;s Theator, and stopped to
look at a life-siz3d portrait of a great
actress exhibited outside. 1t repre-
scented her in the tragic part she was
then playing, and its set look of pale
despair vas thrillingly like the beau
tiful woman it represented.
Esley knew her well. Once he had
had "A passing passion for her, which
had subsidized into Il steady friendship
on her m~arriage--a change of feeling
in accordance with his character.
Like Rachel, she was known on the
stage only by one name, 1t was her
second baptismal name, Joyce, and she
was spoken of by it alone, like tho
great French woman.
Now, looking at the portrait, Esley
was suddenly seized by a strange
fancy. The artist had suppressed the
lines that gave character to the living
woman's face, and the portrait showed
a younger beauty than was really
hers.
Turning round. he suddenly faced
the actress herself coming into the
theatcr.
"Looking at my Portrait" she said,
the sad look of her face lighting up
with a charming smile. at is a long
time since you have been to see the
original. When are you coming againP
NV husband told me he met you at the
club the other night, and that you were
looking ill.,
He regarded her with a singular
intcntness before he replied: "a will
come when you have no other visitors.
| want to see you particularly about
something"
She knitted her brows prettily to
remember her engagements. "Will
Tuesday do? At four o'clockP Or
any time here during the third act,
when ! am not on the stage, you know.
| am late for rehearsal, | must go
now"
They parted.
On Sunday morning, Esley arriving
at the - hospital, encountered a
shabby figure on the doorstep, and,
finding himself addressed in a husky
voice, with a strong cockney accent to
boot, looked at the features of the
speaker. 1t was Turtle, with the mos
woe-begonc expression on his prema'
turely sharpcned face. His lips
~quivered ~ominously.
"Was you goin' to see Dock. sir?'
he asked, jerking his thumb toward
the windows above them, but avoid
ing the Colonel's eye.
Yes, my lad, have you 9 himP'
replied Esley kindly.
Turtle wrestled manfully with rising
sobs before he answered savagely
mo amt. arXed to jis' now, and
was told as | couldn't see i'm. 'sposc
they thort | 'adn't no business to wan
to see a pal" he added, looking dow
; at the extremely shabby, much-mendet
neither garments which were replaced
weekdays by his newspaper uni
l form. The deficiencies of his privat'
wardrobe we're now painfully apparent
; "Ill take you in with me-" SAT-
Esley smiling. you're Docks grea
5 chum, aren't you? I've seen you to
p, gether,"
| Turtle nodded sullenly, still smart
> ing with wounded pride.
, The door was opened by a smar
! maid, who instantly admitted tn
Colonel, and unwilljngly tolerated hi
!, d~isreputable a%ppendage with cover
u looks Of scorn, which Turtle repaid b
e claring defiance behind the Colonel
= back.
On being shown into the privat
room where Dock now lay, Esley spok
e aside to the nurse, who shook her hea
~mournfully.
g Turtle sprang toward the bed, re
CARELESS of the strangers present, an
e said hoarsely: "Dook, | say! Littl
II 'un!n
a The dark brown eyes were suddenl
1t lit up by a struggling light of lovin
II recognition and the pale lips move
n slightly, although they gave no soun'
le Don't yer know me, Dookp 1t
e yer old pal" and catching Docks thi
% hand as it lay loose on the blue cove
st lit in the strong grasp of his coar.
1t red hand, Turtle hurriedly added in
D. whisper: 1--WE got some marbles fC
yer in one of my pawkits, and
N shillin'F'
r Diving into the ihnermost recess'
is OF his ca%pacious trouser pockets Turf
is with difficulty brought to the surfa'
s. the above mentioned valuables al
laid them on the bed.
10 The sister came forward as Doc
murmured some inaudable words.
NJ "Wot's he a-sayin'P can't ear
y said Turtle, looking jealousy at HI
p across the bed.
US "He's only rambling; he doesr
know you" said the sister kindly, la
ing her hand softly on the little ST.
IS ferers hot head. from which all Il
brown curls had been cut away.
OF doesn't know me?" exclaimed Tu
n tie in a tone of angry surprise al
or pain. Not know me. as--why, if
don't know me-Dook, little pal. II
n; Turtle. Don't you know meP"
i'd added in a tone of entreating angus
that went to the hearts of both
,r- hearers. He fought with himself fol
so moment manfully, his ugly face &C
ut vulsed with the effort, then lingi
IN himself on his knees beside the b
at with one arm across his friend.
l. . Il. .. --l .A1