Middletown transcript., 1900-06-02

had said. no man living on thu
verge Of eternity, as Mr.. Hardy was
there was no time for evasions or the
postponing OF bad news or the utter
ance o. soft speeches.
James took the news more calmly
than Mr.. Hardy thought he would. Il
was evident he did not realize all thai
was meant by 1t.
"Can you love Clara under these con
ditions?" asked Mr.. Hardy, looking
at James with sympathy that the
young man could not help feeling.
Eyes, sir; more than ever. Why, is
she not more in need Of it than ever|
True, but what can you do with a
helpless creature like thatT
"Gold help us, sir! If she were my
wife now and were dependent on me,
don't you think could care for her
tenderly, better than any one else in
the worldY
Mr.. Hardy shook his head. ''This Is
q hard blow to me, James. ! don't
know just what to say yet. But it is
possible the poor girl may not have to
suffer all that. Let us hope the doctor
[ is not justified in his supposition. In
deed, he said ne could not tell for GER
tain that loss of hearing and speech
would follow. If it does, cannot see
how Clara can retain her reason when
she recovers from the shock. James,
believe you are good fellow. / have
not forgotten my own cOurtship.
viii not stand in the way between you
and your love for Clara in anything
right and reasonable. I had hoped
we might have a good talk together
over the matter. This accident has
made it impossible for q time at least,
but confide in you as an honest, true
man. We must wait for events to take
shape. Meanwhile let us pray God to
give us wisdom and lead US into the
way we need to CO."
James Caxton listened to Mr.. Hardy
with feeling of astonishment. This
was not the Robert Hardy he had
known all his life; this was q new
man. For moment his own hopes
and fears were almost lost sight of in
the thought of the great change in the
elder man. In a tumult Of feeling he
went home after begging Mrs. Hardy
to send him word If Clara became
worse or if there were any service he
could render the family.
Robert went back up stairs, where
his wife sat by the side of the injured
girl.
Mary" he said, Il must go down to
the shops. You know l left word with
Wellman to do what he could in the
Office until could get down, but this
accident has made it imperative that ]
be there myself. There are details the
men cannot attend to. | cannot do any
more here, and ] must do what | can
for the sufferers. God has been merci-
full to us, dear. Our dear ones are
spared to us. Oh, when l heard Bes-
sizes voice in that helps pit it seemed
to me God was taking pity on me for
the burden ! am carrying this week. |
And If she had been killed do believe
should have gone mad. Pray for me,
sweetheart
And with kiss and embrace Robert |
left the house, and even In the sorrow |
of all her trouble Mrs. Hardy felt O |
great wave of joy flow through her at |
the thought Of love come back to |
her, and as she went to the window |
and watched the tall, strong figure
swing down the street she almost felt /
a girl again and wondered If he would
turn around and see her there and toss
his hat to her as in the old days. Yes;
just before he reached the corner
where he had to turn he looked back
up at the window, saw his wife stand.
ing there and took Off his hat with a
smile, and she waved her hand at him
and colored as when her Robert used
to do the same thing while he was
counting her.
1.-TWO foolsi' somebody says. Yes;
two children of God who have seen
his face and learned what all this life
He found much to do at the shops.
The accident necessitated special work.
1t looked to him as If he must be down
there all day. There was almost a pam
Ic in the planning rooms. The air was
heavy with the horror of the night be-
fore. Owing to the wreck there was
more need of work In the shops than
ever, but along toward noon Burns
came into the Office, pulling long face
and asking Mr.. Hardy to step across
fhn rd a mr. 70 fa fhn I
Burns said, to do mischief
4 they were not given the afternoon to
20 down to the scene Of the disaster.
Mr.. Hardy, with a sinking heart, rose
ind followed Burns into the planning
'ooms. He told the foreman to get the
men together in the center of the room.
they stopped their machines and gath
ered in the largest open space between
he planers, and Mr.. Hardy addressed
hem:
What do you want? Burns tells me
here Is dissatisfaction. Speak out so
hat we may know what the trouble
g."
There was an awkward pause. Then
ne man spoke up:
I'VE think the company ought to give
s the day off," !
What for" asked Mr.. Hardy mildly. !
Under any other circumstances he
'ould have told the men they might ,
ave for good if they didn't like the i
ny and the company. He had done
lst that thing twice before, but things
ere different now. He looked at the
len in a new light. He was a new
AN himself. Besides, it was impera-