Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20
CHAPTER III.

Frank fingered between life and death for
several weeks. They strove to keep Adela
from his bedside. but without effect. She in
sisted upon nursing him. Rothsay was ar
rested and only permitted to leave prison
when it was decided that Frank would un-
doubtedly recover. He had been ill mouth
when Adela's child was born. At first his i'm
mediate recovery had been thought certain,
but afterward it was found that Rothsay's ma
levolent bullet had ploughed deeper than the
physicians had supposed Frank became tho
victim of q cerebral trouble that threatened
his reason and prostrated him for many weary
months. Poor Adcla was too sick herself to
know the exact time at which his Wall street
friends bore him from the cottage in D. and
placed him under the care OF specialists.
For many months Frank fingered at the sani-
suffered torturos Of suspense and yearning but
it was not deemed admissible for her to meet
him. His malady was OF that peculiar and
delicate kind which the least emotional furry
would have increased. and perhaps with re-
suits promptly fatal. At last, however. his re-
covery became a matter of complete certainty
The sensitive organism Of tho brain had finally
yielded to medical aud surgical treatment.
Frank felt like one who has Weakened from q
long, drowsy dream. He had never been really
insane; kind Of stupor had veilod actualities
for him. and through the departing mist OF
this prepossession his new interest and Joy in
life burned out with ardent intensity.
TO see Adela again was a delicious experience
They met at the sanitarium just before his
sanctioned departure. Adela could scarcely
speak for her tears. Bdtshe found voice enough
to answer few of Franks questions.
''Our child is a boy, then," he said. 'Tm
glad Of that Tell me, Adela, does be look
like me or like you?"
Like you. Frank" she answered. "At least
II think SO. IL am not quite sure"
why didn't you bring him, with. you?''
aueried Frank. Il do so wi,ht Sshed
1? He must be old-rcal OLD, BY this" ~
ayes, Frank" -'''As,~9,,' X. .''>5s
"He can walk, can he not?"' ,,,., 80
"yes." ,,f}&
How sadly you seem to speak of him, Adela.
I hope he's well. You sdoai mean that he's
"No." And then Adeia burst into passionate
food OF tears claspinR her husbands neck
with both arms and bcwildering Frank by what
appeared to him the most causeless emotion.
1t was lovely spring day when Frank came
home to the cottage at D.. For some time
he and Adela talked together in the old fami-
lar sitting room down stairs. Then suddenly
Frank remembered the child.
"AdeIa," he exclaimed. I'm my happiness ct
being near you again I've forgotten him."
Him, Frank?"
es-little-Frauk- son. Where is he?
liz
Adela slowly rose from her husbands side.
Frank rose, too. and stared Al her wonderingly
because she had grown on sudden SO unac-
countably pale.
Margaret, the nurse, isis with little Frank
now" stammered Adela. Ill will find her
and-and tell her TOTO bring him here
As his wife left tho room Frank asked him
self what her agitation could possibly be caused
by. She did not remain away long. On her
retu, he saw that she was trembling and that
her eyes glittcred with unshed tears.
"Adels!' he exclaimed, aud caught her in his
arms. You're suffering, my dear, and think
can guess why"
She let her head drop against his breast.
mo. Frank-no, I'm sure you cannot guesa"
.'Our little one. Adela---"
She lifted her head and stared into his eager
tie Frank"
'.He is deformed-or blind, perhaps"
''Not blind" she said, biting her lips. SNot
blind-no." .,.t. =, ...
"Deformed, then?'
As those words wero spoken step sounded
in one of the doorw.ys. Frank and Adela both
turned. It was the nurse. Margaret, with her
charge. Adela at once dismissed her, taking
little Franks hand and leading him toward his
father.
my Godr' faltered Frank. sinking into a
chair and gazing at the child with horrified
eyes. ''That-that staggering walk, Adela,
what does it mean?"
The child in his movements OF body, limbs
and head suggested an almost imbecile state of
drunkenness. His face was not misshapen but
its expression seemed completely bereft Of in.