The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-26
CHAPTER v.-contInued.

the room feel a little awed. The officer
In speaking OF II afterward. said; Il tell
you. boys. I never felt quite the same
except once. when the old Catholic priest
stepped up on the platfrom with old man
Cover time he was hanged at Millville.
Somehow then felt II. when the priest
raised his hand and began to pray maybe
we might all be glad to have some one
pray for as n we get inte tight place" "
Philip spoke directly TO the man. whose
look fell beneath that of the minister.
You know well enough that you are
the man who shot me Tuesday night.
know you are the man, for i saw your
face very plainly by the light OF the street
lamp. Now. all that / wanted TO see you
here before you were taken TO jail was
TO let you know that I do not bear any
hatred toward you. The thing you have
done is against the law OF God and man.
The injury you have inflicted upon me Is
very slight compared with that against
your own soul. Oh. my brother man, why
should you try TO harm me because de-
nounced your business? Do you not know
In your heart OF hearts that the saloon
Is so evil In It's effects that man who
loves his home and his country must
speak out against IL? And yet love you.
That Is possible because you are human.
Oh my FAther," Philip continued. chang
ing his appeal TO the man by an almost
natural manner into a petition to the In
fnite, make this soul dear to thee. To be-
hold thy love for him.and make him see
that IL In not against me, mere man.
that he has sinned. but against myself
against the purity and holiness and affec-
tion Oh. my God. thou who ddst come
IN the likeness OF sinful men TO seek and
save that which was lost, stretch out the
arms OF thy salvation now to this child
and save him from himself. from his own
disbelief. his hatred OF me OF Of what
have said! Thou art all merciful and
al loving. We leave all souls OF men
In the protecting. Unfolding embrace OF
thy boundless compassion and infinite
mercy"
There was a moment OF entire quiet
In the room. and then Philip said faint-
ly: Sarah. cannot say more. Only tell
the man bear him no hatred and com
mend him to the love of God"
Mrs. Strong was alarmed at Philips
appearance. The scene had been too
much for his strength. She hastily COM
manded the officer TO take his prisoner
away and with the help of her friend
cared for the minister, who after the
first faintness. rallied and then gradually
sank into sleep that proved more refresh
ing than any he had yet enjoyed since
the night OF the shooting.
The next day found Philip improving
more rapidly than Mrs. Strong had
thought possible. She forbade him The
sight OF all callers. however, and in
sisted that he must keep quiet His
wounds were healing satisfactorily. and
when the surgeon called he expressed
simself much pleased with his patients
appearance.
Say. doctor. do you really think IL
would set me back any to think a Hitler"
mo. I never heard OF thinking hurt
ing people. have generally considered
II a healthy habit"
THE reason / asked" continued Philip
gravely, was because my wife alb
solutely forbade IT, and I was wondering
how long i could keep II up and fool any
body
That's specimen OF his stubborn
ness. doctor" said the minister's wife,
emiling. why. only a few minutes be-
fore you came In he was insisting that
ne could preach tomorrow. Think OF II,
q man with a shattered shoulder, who
would have TO stand on one leg and do
all his gesturing with his left hand: a
man who can't preach without the use
OF seven or eight arms and as many
pockets and has to walk up and down the
platform like a lion when he gets started
on his delivery. And yet he wants to
preach tomorrow! He's that stubborn that
j don't know that / can keep him at
home. You would better leave some pow
ders to put him to sleep. and we will
keep him In state OF unconsciousness
until Monday morning
Now. doctor. just listen 10 me awhile
Mrs. Strong II talking for two women. as
she agreed to do and that puts me In a
hard position. But want TO know how
soon ! can get 10 work again"
You will have 10 lie there a month" 4"
said the doctor bluntly.
Impossible, ! never lied that time in
my life" said Philip soberly
1T would serve him right 10 perform a
surgical operation on him for that,
wouldn't n. Mrs. Strong?" the surgeon
appealed to her.
II think he deserves the worst you can
do. doctor"
But say. dear people ! can't stay here
q month. must be about my MASTER s
business. What will the church do for
supplies7'
Don't worry. Philip. TIVE church will
take care OF that"
But Philip was already eager TO get "a
work Only the assurance OF the surgeon
that he might possibly get out In little
over three weeks satisfied him. Sunday
came and passed. Some one from a neigh.
In Milton occupied the pulpit. and Philir
had quiet. restful day. lie started In the
week determined TO beat the doctor
time for recovery. and. having n remark.
ably strong constitution and a tremen-
dcus will. he bade fair 10 be limpng about
the house In two weeks His shouldey
wound healed very fast. His knee bother
ed him. and II seemed likely that ne
vorld 60 lame for long time. But hs
was not concerned about that N only nc
could 80 about in any sort ~ fashion
once more.
Wednesday OF that week he was sur.
prised In an unexpected manner by an
event which did more than anything else
"a hasten his recovery. he was still con.
fined 10 bed down stairs when In the az.
ternoon the bell rang. and Mrs. strone
went TO the door supposing n was one Of
the church people come 20 inquire about
the minister. She found instead Alfred
Burke. Philips old college chum and
seminary ciassmete Mrs. Strong welcom.
ed him heartily. and IN answer 10 his
eager inquiry concerning Philips condi-
tion she brought him into the room.
knowing her patient quite well and feel
ing sure the sight Of his old chum would
DO him more good than harm. The first