The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-31

Act 10
Some one had stripped me of that
thinking me dead. Well. | took the Name
of James Smith and started life over again
cont know what | have lost. / know /
gained the best friend God ever gave a
man"
There was something in his face as he
looked at his friend, who was watching the
soidlers, that made the boy swallow
,t II say" said the boy, and there was a
nttle culver around his sensitive mouth
that was tough on you" and he slipped
ms hand into the mans, and gave it hard
squeeze.
So they sat. in sympathetic silence. while
the soldiers marched past in the sunshine
ah9 the crowd cheered, and the music rose
., There, youngstern' said Mr. Gwinnett;
~ all over, and reckon your folks want
The boys face was very grave as he said:
Geood-6ye and he ran back to throw him
self on Mr.. Smith and Whisper It'll come
pack some day, see if it don't
Good little chap" said Mr.. Smith, as he
stood listening to the sound of his feet
as he ran noisly down the stairs.
Yes he's regular boy no cherub bus
mess about him. But, Jim, you look tired"
MY head feels thick" said the other.
It's this COMPOUNDED procession. | wish
we hadn't waited over. I don't know why
you insisted and his friend kicked his
heels petuiantly against the table on which
ne was sitting.
Wait, I wanted 10 try another expert
ment TO see if 1t would suggest anything.
thought perhaps If had been a Northern
iit1it anu saw the ola UdES ana all Jlal,
not"
e of course it hasn't, for you're Southern
fast enough. See here Jim, suppose YOU
got your past back-and 1t might be
past you would not choose now-have you
ever thought that the chances are you'd
lose the interim. That the last thirty years
would go-all your manhood-and, and 1
along with it,"
He spoke with an angry vehemence. He
was afraid and jealous of those unknown
years
Il don't want my past without you,
Wait, said his friend. simply.
GWinnett cooled off instantly-he was only
a groWn~up boy; and, jumping off the table.
he said:
Correct, Bubby; now you're talking!
Let's rs3 bite and drive up Riverside
way.
It was evening. Mr.. Gwinnett had gone
to the theater leaving his friend to recover
from his headache. He sat in the dusk,
though his room was full of reflected light
from the street below. All day long he had
been in a singular state of anticipation, be-
hind which there was lurking apprehen-
sion; His head throbbed, he had had turns
of dizziness, and a flashing of red before
his eyes His idea trains were broken and
incoherent
I'd better pack" he, thought, glad of
netts room-the connecting door stood
Cpen-to collect his things. He turned on
the Zig Light and began sorting the numerous
pastboard box, with Tiffany's name upon
it. He opened 1t and took out large sill
yer dog collar. Gwnnett had not bought
long to that boy. He held it idly mo-
ment, and then his eye caught spray of
mistletoe beaten in the silver. THE name
'Baldur' is on the other SIDE" he thought.
He turned it around. Yes there 1t was.
God :, in heaven s how gig he know? He
His heart beat against his ribs, the cold
sweat stood upon his brow as he asked
himself the question. Then from under
20 dead
rose from the grave. and God said, Loose
him and let MIN 60"
Baldur was his dog, and this was Bal
dur's collar He had had it made in Swe-
den. in Lund The quaint old peaked-roof
shop, the silversmith and the some one
who was with him-some one who was
young and beautiful, and who loved him
his bride Barbara! A rending groan burst
from him. and his head fell forward on
the table. but his hand still clutched the
collar. One after another the mist cur
tains rolled away, little by little the lost
years came back. Thanks be to God, there
were no awful, guilt spots upon this risen
self of his, in this his day of Judgment.
He saw a happy sheltered childhood;
flowing into the enthusiasm of youth, and
the steady purpose of manhood. He saw
himself responding gladly TO his countrys
call, though Barbara and the baby chung
about him Then the long list of battles
burned their way through his memory end
ing with Atlanta.
Some one opened the door quietly ana
Jim, are you sick?" called Gwinnett,
anxiously. The face that was raised to
his was so distorted by anguish that 1t was
almost the face of mailman.
walton, Walton, / know who | am. 1t
has all come back. ! am Francis 1 rum
bull, of New Haven. For Gods sake bring
He re" rose to his feet, took one reeling step,
then fell his full length upon the floor.
81 don't like the looks of things at ALL"
said the hotel doctor, few hours later
"We'n get a nurse here in the morning
and I'd like to consult with a specialist.
His fever's high, and his hearts not right.
It's an unusual case, you see. .v,4, =,
You don't suppose there any truth III
what he savs?" faltered Gwinnett
Hardly" said the doctor, drily Things
It's easily accounted for. You say your
friend has been morbid and depressed for
time The excitement of the parad1e sSr71 Win
ali the subconscious memories it induced,
has been too much for him. He has caught
this child's name-the last stranger ne met
and dressed It up in peris SO De- e.
the morning-Well, We'll have to prove to
him he's mistaken. He'll sleep for some
hours now but LII De pelo derr 9 left
for the sun soon touched the golden Diana
on the tower opposite; but they seemed end
ie The - ci tiy9 woke but the man slept on.
Gwinnett was standing by the window
with the doctor, listening to the directions,
when there came a stir from. the bed. How
the glad light rushed to his eyes as he
heard his name called; for he had reared
that waking - W., -
of your bad turns; but you've slept ana are
Jim Smith turned glad, sane eyes upon
them. Then he said:
Yves. I'm better, Walt; but have you seen
my wife YETI"
Walt heSitated and looked nelpIeSsly at
the doctor
fThere. there. my dear sir it's all right;
she'll come by and by"
A little smile came round the corners of
the sick mans mouth. He must take the
rens himself.
You think I am delirious doctor. Well,
I am not This is a matter in which you
cannot NEEDLE. Walton, what time IS it?
They must have finished breakfast. want
YOU to go down stairs and find that boys
father Tell him | am his father Francis
opDOsite the Green, in 1898; that | am
graduate of Yale, Glass of So that mar
ried Barbara Sherman in SO, and that |
went to the war in 81, as captain in the
His voice was low and steady, and carried
alone and let him break 1t to--his mother.
Onlyl' here the excitement which he had
hrayeIv kent in check broke out. in a meas
Ire--"onIy for the sake of Heaven be
quick!' -, :.
a maze. While he was listening it had all
seemed true but now he doubted. AS he
roo ched the floor below he met the New
Haven party just coming out of the eleVa-
tor The boy rushed to him, as he stood
confused before them. At the sight OF them
his tale seemed absurd. Yet, there was the
black dress OF the olueSt "oIhaA' anu lie
can / see you moment alone, Mr..
Trumbull! , -, es IT.
Il eth lFN