The National tribune., 1901-05-02

skeleton figure upon it. Gilbert, Gilbert
beloved she repeated, and tears Of 10!
fell and washed the kisses away.
DIR. Belden tiptoed in. 'Sh-, III
breathed.
But it is my husband" she returned
hardly above her breath looking up at hin
appeaingly.
Yes, yes: we understand" he nodded
though he did rot believe Il word Of II, ant
.sas apprchensive for her. not at all fol
the comatose tramp: but You must no
excite him, you knew. He Is very wcah'
He pushed her gently away and reached
for The sick mans pulse, which he dell
cately counted. Oh Winslow, come here
Don't you think you better
Dr. Winslow came up and softly crowd
ed Margaret still farther away. Ihey
raised the patient and hung over him bus
ily for n while. Then placing char by
the bedside, the younger physician SAD;
You nlify sit down and hold his hand,
Mrs. Sears, but do not speak to HIM. IL
he should speak to you. ring this little bel
and we Will come. His lfe may depeuu
on it-yOu understand:
Il understand she answered, looking
up nj the physician, her face glerlhed WITH
the contentlhent that Shsne upon II. bhl
If he calls me, may | not kiss INN
II don't know that it would do any
HARM replied Belden, unsteaaliE- Inc
house-surgeon furtively wiped has eyes.
Margaret bent her head and laid her cheek
against one Of the gaunt, nerve!ess hands
living on the coarse white counterpane.
The two physicians stole quietly from the
room.
standing with his hand on the dO0rknOh
and looking back through the crack, for
he had left the door aJar for that purpose.
NO: | hardly think so. She Is under
great excitement, but her hand was MOST
and cool. didn't get Il chance to feel her
pulse" regretfully.
Quite persuaded that's her husband,
isn't she? Did you ever see Mr.. Sears =
The other nodded. "A few times only. on
the street. you say? Is this man like him =
.'As near as one can Judge, L should
say he was not noticeabIy unlike him. BGt
you know 4 man on his feet Is very DIT
ferent thing from a man on his back.
Sears was rather tall, of athletic build,
and had dark-blue eyes. That taIlies.
The speaker went TO the door and eau
tiously put his finger to open it tribe
more.
..NIaggie?'' came from the other room,
more a sigh than an articulate word. Ihe
girl leaned forward.
What is it, darlingT' she breathed.
Here / am"
..NLargaret?" The word was distinct
this time The sick mans eyes opened
heavily. and there was a gimmer OF some
thing new in their dull depths. "Is-+hat
-yOu:"
She stooped and kissed his forehead.
The eyes closed. and two great tears rolled
from under the lids and down the gaunt
cheeks. Relden pushed the door open and
came briSkly III. You must 90, now, Mrs:
Sears. Say good-by and tell him you will
rome again soen.
Why expostuated the girl.
My dear young lady" sand the Doctor
'yOu want him 10 stay with YOU, do you
not! Then you must leave him now, for
the sake of the future; little excitement
might be very detrimental at this crisis
Margaret got quickly up, touching the
sick mans forehead very gently with her
Iips .Good-by, dearest. Sleep until l
come again." she said. DIR. Belden gave
her his arm and they went out. In the
next room WinsIow made her sit down and
eat tiny cracker and drink a glass of
wine She protested, with soft, happy
laughter. that she was not hungry, but
ate and drank as they bade her just the
same.
In the parlor below they found the al
most-forgotten Mrs. Ashbel. The sur
geon's wife was with her. AS Margaret
came in she turned an awed face toward
her and the girl fell on the neck of her
faithful friend.
"Oh. Auntic. I have found him" she
cried; I have found him.
DR. Belden looked at Mrs. Ashbel. But
you must think of yourself, too, Mrs.
Sears If you will be good now, and go
home and lie down, eat Il good dinner
stay in bed al the afternoon and sleep
well all night, perhaps DIR. Winslow Will
let you come again tomorrow"
''I will see that she follows your direc-
tons, Doctor said Mrs. Ashbel, who had
learned from the surgeons wife enough
10 know that there was nothing TO be
feared for Margaret now. And | Will
come in TO see her this evening, added
Belden.
The ladies' entered the carriage and were
driven away. With one impulse the two
physicians turned and re-entered the
house We'll, | guess there's not much
doubt about your tramps identity now,
.Winslow," said Belden, laughing.
'sWasn't that detective smaIt," groaned
the house-surgeon. He must have known
it was Sears. all along! Pretended il was
Hosmer-swore me 20 secrecy on it, too
Just to keep me from suspecting the truth,
even incidentally. Here they We been slit
ing the county over, papers full of it for
weeks, rewards out for both, or either Of
them big enough for man to retire on.
Say, Doc, which of your legs is it that s
got that piece OF rebel shell in it?'
'Well, they're both d little out of re-
pair. Why?"
Il didn't know but what you'd be will
ing to help me realize what a blamed ass
I've made of myself; that's ali.'
The laugh that followed showed that
neither of them wasted much regret over
their lost opportunity.
The hilarity had not ceased echoing
down the spotless corridor when the head
nurse appeared over the banister above.
IF you please, Doctor, will you come
up here she said little anxiously. The
two NJ. DIS sprang TO answer the sum
mons as one.
The sick man was sitting up on his cot
supported by pillows. He gIzed sharply
at the physicians as they came III, then
looked at the nurse. and then back 20 the
TWO men, shaking his head.
Don't know u.s. asked WinsiOw
''That's all right. You never saw me, but
the other fellows seen you. Let me fee
that pulse" Sears held out his hand
WInsiow noted that il was steady and thai
the dry, unhealthy tone had left the skin
Anything troubling you this morning
sirf' he added. casually.
Nothing, thanks was the quiet reply
Except that | should like to ask where
amT'
Suppose you tell me first who yor
areT'
"who am? Why, my name is Sears
W. Gilbert Sears, Of Summerdale, Nassa
chusetts.'
Then you're not Hosmer, of the 'Bos
tOnsF" laughing.
We'll, yes; had forgotten that. In
Hoslner, too" joining readily in the laugh
You'd forgotten 1t, had you. Happel
TO be anybody elseE"
Not that | know Of said Sears: "bu
perhaps ! am" For reply the house-sur
geOn detached q small mirror from tn