The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08


You'll live to show the world how wrong
it is concerning your own case"
Il wish / should; but make no mistake.
can't one lungs gone and the others fol-
lowing it, I'm cherishing no hope of that
sort All ] want to do is to set myself right
before my fellow men,
You'll have better chance of doing that
the more you rest" said Nottingham, with
gentle firmness. "And as I'm your nurse
for the time you must obey me and keep
quiet until Martin comes"
Hedley sighed and held his peace. Whit
tingham walked quietly to the window and
looked over the sea.
HedIey's disease had mastered him COM
pletely, and he lay on the bed from which
his doctor had prophesied he could rise no
more He was as docile now as he was
helpless, so far as Nottingham was con-
cerned, but day and night, there ranked
within him the sense of the wrong from
which he suffered. He had but one wish,
one hope, and that was to live to see his
father and put himself right with him and
with the world.
Let me do that, Charlie" he said for the
hundredth time to Nottingham. land
shall die content"
With the wondrous hope of man sue
cumbng like himself he chung to the belief
that he would live until what he longed for
had been done.
'I shall be spared to see justice done" he
said, cheerfully. Here comes Martin; We'll
see what he says"
When the doctor had done his work he
babe his patient goodbye.
you've always said good day before"
said Hedley, quickly. What do you mean?"
I
II didn't notice. 1t must have been a slip"
He spoke lamely and made d secret sig
nal to Nottingham to join him outside the
door.
HE can't live till morning." he whispered
Its an awful pity
The doctor was u busy man with grow
ing practice and Hedley's case soon left his
mind when he regained the street
your face is u yard long" said Hedley
when Nottingham re-entered the room.
whats the latest?''
Its no use hiding the fact, Arthur" re-
piled Whittingham very gently. HE says
your case is serious, very serious"
land how long does he give me?' asked
the sick man with strange calmness.
HE doesn't name a period, answered
Whittingham after a wrestle with his con-
science which was a very stubborn one.
There was a long pause. Even then He'd
ley was sinking fast, and the consciousness
that all was ending seemed at last to force
itself upon him.
Il feel very strange, Charlie" he said
Come and sit by me-
Nottingham did So and took his COM
rade's hand.
Charlie, old fellow he said, after an
other pause, I'm afraid there's no hope
T.. forf 7
should have known that even if Martin
hadn't been so serious. don't think 1 can
pull through the night. You needn't be
afraid TO tell the truth-isnt that what
Martin thinks?"
ct is" Nottingham admitted, huskily.
Hedley took his hand and pressed it SILENT
ly. 1t was warm, firm grasp that met his
own clammy and feeble touch.
do you think, Charlie, you could do me a
last favor?"
Name it," responded Nottingham, fer
vently. If it is in human power it shall be
done"
It's a matter of conscience with you,''
proceeded Hedley, with a faint smile, land I
don't know whether you will when you hear
it. You always were such a stickler when
conscience and your honor were concerned.
But you can tell me safey-Where 1 hope
I'm going it's not likely the divulging of the
secret would hurt you or benefit anybody.
l want you to tell me how the members of
the court voted"
Nottingham hesitated for moment He
thought of his oath of secrecy, an oath
which bound him not at any time or on
any account to reveal the vote or opinion
of any member of the court. He looked at
his friend, thought of the wrong that had
been done to him, and hesitated no longer
THE president, you know, was dead
against you,' said Nottingham.
He always hated me because of nv faith
er. In that respect he was no better than
the colonel. All the same, 1 would have
bitten out my tongue rather than have OBJ
jected to him as a member of the court And
Major Wilby?"
He was of the same opinion as the pres
:dent'
Never thought or acted for himself in all
his life-always followed his leader" muir
INJURED Hedley bitterly. He also doesn't
count
Arlington. Whitaker, Chesterton and
Baker voted with the president and Wilby."
God and their consciences be their
judges"
'All the rest were for you"
Then it was a majority of one?"
only one" said Nottingham.
This isn't the time, and 1 hope I'm not
the man to say harsh things. But it was a
shabby thing to do to guiltless man."
1T was worse than that-it was dishon-
est and dishonorable,' growled Whiting
ham.
Thank you for that, old fellow" said
Hedley, gratefully.
There was a pause. Hedley stared at the
ceiling and Nottingham looked anxiously
upon him.
You'll tell father?" Hedley asked at last.
Nottingham thought of his oath again,
and hesitated.
He'd be. as secret as the grave" Hedley
assured him pleadingly. And it would be
an immense comfort for him to know that
so many believed me innocent"
Yes, I'll tell him." promised Whiting
ham, quietly, but as one who had given a
very serious undertaking.
1T would be the kindest act you ever did,
Charlie. both to me and to him. 1t isn't as
if I were guilty"
NO" admitted Nottingham.
And he would know that the honor Of the
two of us was unsullied. It's never been
furnished yet, thank God; it never suffered
because of any act of mine
lDsa, to