Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-06-01

not.
"Of course 1t hasn't, for you re south
ern fast enough. See here, Jim, suppose
you got your past baok-and 1t might be
past you would not choose now-have
you ever thought that tho chances are
you'd lose the interilnY That the last 80
years would goal your manhood-and
and along with it?'
He spoke with an angry vehemence, He
was afraid and jealous Of those unknown
years
II don't want my past without you,
walt said his friend simply.
1t 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
mad been in singular state Of anticipa-
ton, behind which there was lurking ap-
prehenslon. His head throbbed, he had
had turns of dizziness and flashing of red
before his eyes. His idea trains were bro
ken and incoherent
ia better pack, he thought, glad Of
any physical effort, and he went into
Gwlnnett's room-the connecting door
stood open-to collect his things. He
numerous parcels thrown on the table
There was pasteboard box, with Tiffany s
name upon it. He opened it and took out
large silver dog collar Gwinnett had
not bought it, and it was not his Why, it
must belong to that boy He held it idly
moment, and then his eye caught a spray
of mistletoe beaten in the silver "The
name, 'Baldur, is on the other side," he
thought. He turned it around Yes, there
it was God in heaven, how did he know?
He trembled so he fell into the nearest
chair His heart beat against his ribs, the
cold sweat stood upon his brow as he asked
himself the question. Then from under
heath came the answer as the dead self
rose from its grave and God said, 'tLoose
him and let him go"
Baldur was his dog, and this was Bal
dur's collar He had had it made in Swe-
uen. In Lund. The quaint old peaken roof
SHOP the sllversmith and the some one
who was with him. Some one who was
young and beautiful and who loved him
his bride. Barbaral A rending groaL
burst from him. and his head fell forward
on the table, but his hand still clutched
the collar One after another the mist
curtains 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 happy. sheltered childhood,
| flowing into the enthusiasm of youth and
the steady purpose of manhood. He saw
himself responding gladly to his country's
| call, though Barbara and the baby chung
about him. Then the long list of battles
| burned their way through his memory
| ending with Atlanta.
| Some one opened the door quietly ant
same in.
| Jim, are you sick?" called Gwinnet
anxiously. The face that was raised to hi
| was so distorted by anguish that it was al
most the face of mailman.
| walton, Walton, know who l am!
has all come back! I am Francis Trum
bull of New Haven. For Gods sake brinl
my wife, quick"
He rose to his feet, took one reelins
STEP then fell his full length upon th
| floor.
"Idon't like the looks of things at all,
said the hotel doctor few hours later
"We'll get nurse here in the morning
and I'd like to consult with a specialist
His fever's high, and his hearts not right
| ~ . OIL I'LL SchS0, yOu oCC.
You don suppose there's any truth II
what he says, :" faltered Gwinnett.
Hardly" said the doctor dryly
"Things don't come about in life so dra
matically. It's easily accounted for Yol
say your friend has been morbid and de
pressed for time. The excitement of tn
parade, with all the subconscious mem
cries it induced, has been too much TO
| him. He has caught this child's name
| the last stranger he met-and dressed i
up in a personality. Depend upon it
that's all. If he persists in the morning
| well, Well have to prove to him he's mis-
taken. He'll sleep for some hours now
| but I'll be in before he wakes.
The city woke, but the man slept on.
| Gwinnett was standing by the window
| with the doctor, listening to the directions
when there came stir from the bed How
| the glad light rushed to his eyes as b
| heard his name called, for he had fearet
| that waking.
| Here's the doctor, Jim. You've ha,
one of your bad turns, but you've slep
and are better"
Jim Smith turned glad, sane eyes upo1
them. Then he said
Eyes, I'm better, Walt; but have yol
seen my wife YETI"
| Walton hesitated and looked helplessl,
| at the doctor.
"There, there, my dear sir, its all right
She'll come by and BY"
A little smile came round the corners o
| the sick mans mouth. He must take thu
reins himself.
| "You think 1 am delirious, doctor
| Well, am not This is matter in which
you cannot NEEDLE. Walton, what time il
| it9 They must have finished breakfast.
| want you to go down stairs and find tina
boys father. Tell him I am his father
| Francis Trumbull, who was born in tn,
old house opposite the Green in 1888; tina
| l am graduate of Yale, class of '5S; tina
I married Barbara Sherman in 1859, an(
that went to tho war in 1861 as a captain
in the Invincibles. F"
His voice was low and steady and car
ried conviction to one of his hearers. "Se,
| him alone and let him break it to-hi
| mother. Only'-here the excitemen
| which he had bravely kept in check broke
out in measure-'only, for the sake o
| heaven, be quickl"
Walton Gwinnett went down the stair
| in maze. While he was listening it hat
| all seemed true, but now he doubted. A.
| he reached the floor below he met the New
| Haven party just coming out of the eleva
tor. The boy rushed to him as he stood con
| fused before them. At the sight of then
his tale seemed absurd. Yet there was tn
| black dress of the Oldest woman, and h.
must speak.
"Can see you moment alone, Mr.