The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-29

covery. his only child and owe him
everything, even my life"
"I'll do my best. my boy" said the doc
tor gently. who is your fatherF
That's what l want to get at" said
Durham, with a little effort. He was get
ting drowsy again. I'm the breast peck
ct of my coat you will find q sealed en-
velope with all the particulars sou need,
Do not open it unless you ind I'm in u
pretty bad way: Then break into II and
telegraph to my fathers New York ad-
dress. You will take charge of the pa
pers. doctor. and please understand that
my father is not to he informe,f OF nay
illness unless it is quite necessary. He is
too busy to be annoyed unless there Is
the most serious reason for It. l can
trust you. doctor"
You can trust me-" said the old man
as he stopped and laid his cool fingers or
the boy's hot wrist.
There is some money in the pocket
book" continued Durham. "and l want
the lady to take that and use 1t as she
thinks best" He paused moment and
with an effort collected his thoughts.
when fell by the wayside." he NUT.
tered, "the - good Samaritans-were
close-at-hnnd."
The doctor bent his gray head still low
er. "What-I-need." said Durham
family, with the ghost of a smile, lis
rest. A-month-off-will-
-do-me-goCd" The heavy lids drop.
ped down. The feeble voice ceased.
You'll get it, my boy" said the doe
tor grimly.
There was a robin piping in the peach
tree, an insistent robin that piped in II
way that brooked no contradiction. Was
be calliag somebody? A watt of sum-
mer air came in through the open win
dow. a gentle breath that lightly moved
the struggling locks above a white fore
head. that kissed the heavy lids that
trembled above the tired eyes. Was the
robin calling?
The heavy lids struggled upward. The
tired eyes looked forth. They saw q
long blue veined hand that rested on the
coverlid and clasped closely apother
hand. white and thin. The eyes Travelled
slowly from the hand upward along the
coat sleeve. higher, higher.
why. father"
"My boy"
The clasp on the white hand frightened.
The hoy could not return 1t. He could
only look up in his fathers face with q
happy smile.
How long has it been,. fatherT
The father hesitated. Another face
appeared at the bedside. Another gentle
hand pressed his. The face was the
rugged face of the country doctor.
a little talk won't hurt him, Mr..
Greer, not il you do the talking"
The father bent lower.
"SiX weeks nv boy"
"a long rest. father. Have sou just
Gomez"
1t WAS the gruff voice of the old doctor
that answered.
81 carried out your Instructions to the
letter." lie said. II telegraphed to your
father the very day you cane. He hus-
tied here with his private car and his
big New York doctor. The big doctor
paid me the compliment of stayinglbut q
day or two, but for i've weeks your ia
Their has scarcely left your bedside
|. "Dear father!" murmured Durham. 81
kHow what this sacrifice meant to you
My boy" said his father slowly. and
his voice was broken. I've found out
there is something dearer 10 me than
money getting. i didn't know how much
you were to me until ] saw you lying
helpless here. We have drifted too far
apart. my son. We will keep close to-
gether hereafter. As soon as you can
be moved I have planned little trip to
the south of France, and this gruff old
country doctor, is going with u.s. Tells
me he hasn't had real vacation in 10
years. Wen give him years outing
that'll knock dozen years from his tired
old shoulders" And he clapped his hand
affectionately on the old mans arm.
The doctor growled inarticulately
Then he. grIffly said:
'See here. my friends. this palaver has
reached the safety limit. Cut it short"
"And tho good Samaritan woman who
took me in. father" murmured Durham.
"Shp hasn't belied her character for q
moment. my boy. She is well and hap
py and thankful because you are getting
well. Nobody will be forgotten. Dun
ham. There. you must be quiet now"
Durham closed his eyes. He was free
frcm pain. He felt the warm clasp of
his fathers hand. He was quite happy
\ faint smile curved his pallid lips.
The summer breeze softly famed his
brow. The robins pipe grew more and
more indistinct.-Cleveland Plain Dealer