The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-14
CHAPTER XII-COntinued,

whats that?" he asked. with startled
gesture.
Seems to be trying to sing, something"
said Barrett bending over to listen. The
Teller swung his arm heavily over the side Of
the cot. the fingers never ceasing their painful
twitching, and Gay leaned down and gently
moved the cloths that the white, SCARED
lips were free. They moved steadily: they
seemed to be framing the semblance Of an old
ballad that Meredith knew; the whisper grew
more distinct, and it became a rich tut bro
ken voice, and they heard it singing. like the
sound Of some far, halting minstrelsy:
Wave willows-murmur waters-golden sun
beams smile,
Earthly music-cannot waken-lovely Annie
Lisle.
my Cod" cried Tom Meredith.
The bandaged hand waved jauntily over the
Teller's head. An men," he said. almost
clearly, and tHed to lift himself on his arm,
81 tell you it's a grand eleven have this
gear! There will be little left OF anything
Ahat stands against them. Did you see jim
Romley ride over his man this afternoon?
AS the voice grew clearer the sheriff stepped
forward, but Tom Meredith, with lloyd ex-
clamation of grief. threw himself on his knees
beside the cot and seized the wandering nm
gers in his own. john he cried. John.
Is 1t you?"
The voice went on rapidly not needing him:
"Ah, you needn't howl: I'd have been as
much use at right as that sophomore. Well,
laugh away, you Indians! II It hadn't been
for this ankle-but 1t seems to be my chest
that's hurt-and stde-not that it matters,
you know; the sophomore's just good, or
better. It's only my egotism. Yes, it must
be the sde-and chest-and head-all over, l
believe. Not that it matters-lu try again
next year-next year III make 1t daily
Helen said not that I should call you Helen
Sherwood -
but I've always thought Helen was the pref
tiest name in the wordsworth forgive me!
And please tell Parker there's more copy,
and won't BEL wouldn't grind out another
stick to save his mmortal-yes, yes, daily
she said-ah, never made good trade-no-
they can't come seven mies-but III finish
you, Skillet, first; know you! know near
ly all OF you! Now let's sing Annie Llsle
He lifted his hand as IL to teat the time for a
chorus
"Oh, John, john" cried Tom Meredith, and
sohhed outright MY boy-my boy-old
, friend-'' The cry of the classmate was like
that OF a mother, for 1t was his old idol and
hero who lay helpless and broken before
him.
The brougham lamps and the apathetlc
sparks OF the cab gieamed in front OF the
hospital till daylight. lwo otAer -'"-.a ~
lamps Joined them in the earliest OF the
small hours, these subjoined to two deep
hooded phaetOnS, from each Oh WnlCn quickly
descended a gentleman with a beard, an all
of eminence and small, ominous black box
The air OF emnence was justified by the
haste with which Meredith had sent for them
and by their wide repute. They arrived al
most simultaneously. and hastily shook hands
as they made their way to the ward down tht
long hall and up the narrow corridor. The!
had a short conversation with Gay and
word with the nurse. then turned the Others
out OF the room by a practiced innuendo o
manner. They stayed a long time II
the room without opening the door
Meredith. paced the hall alone. sometime
stopping toe speak to Warren Smith; but tn
two officials of peace sat together in duml
CONSERVATION and establishment. TIE sleep.
young man relaxed himself resignedly upol
q bench in the hall and returned to the dorm
ance from which he had been reused. Th
big hospita al very still Now ard the1
q nurse went through the hall, carrying some
thing, and sometimes a neat young physician
PASSED cheerfuly along, looking as IL he ha'
many patients who were we'll enough t.
testify to his SKILL but sick enough to pa
hr It. Outside, through the open front doors
tie crickets chrped.
Meredith went out on the steps, an