The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-11-27
TMSOLDIER'S
rorlginail

pital. sat up in bed and stared at the
doctors and nurses who surrounded
him.
That's a question for you TO an
swer." said a surgeon who had re
moved a piece OF bone which had been
pressing upon the patients brain.
when we took you to the operating
table. you didn't know who you were.
Do you know nowT"
Know who I ann or course | do
I'm Tom Angleside Of the til United
States infantry. Did we drive 'em oil
the hillr'
What hillr"
San Juan"
The surgeon took OF his rubber
apron. saying: The operation has
been successful. The patient was
doubtless wounded In Cuba three
years ago, and the faculty Of memory
has since been held In suspense. The
removal VI the pressure has restored
H."
Tom Angieside. who was In perfect
health excepting the wound on his
head. which had needed to be opened.
after few days disappeared from the
hospital without being discharged and
started homeward He well remem-
bered the day when he had marched
past the house and his young wife had
held their baby. little Dick, up at the
window, telling him to say by-by TO
papa; how the little one had caught
sight OF him in the ranks when he
waved his handkerchief and smiled.
and lastly the tears coursing down
Agnes checks Just as he turned a cor
ner and could see them no longer
Three years a blank What had be
come Ct the wife and boyi
He lad no money and was obliged TO
work his way us best he could TO his
home. several hundred miles distant.
lie reached the town at evening and
hurried TO his house. At the gate he
paused. He dreaded to know what
was IN store for him. His heart was
beating wildly. and his wound was
throbblng. Going to a window, be
looked through the Stats Of the shut
ter. In the sitting room, the same
room where he had been so happy. sat
Agnes. beside her a man whom Tom
had known well. much older and well
to do in this worlds goods, Morgan
Barnett A boy Of four years was
with them. and Agnes and Barnett
were trying 10 induce the child to say
papa"
"He Is not papa" SAID the boy. "Pa.
pa was a soldier. lie went up San
Juan hill I'm going to be a soldier
too. Its not polite for you to love
mamma"
Tom Angleside groaned. Then, put.
ting his hand 10 his wound. he sank
down beneath the window.
II was midsummer. and. the sash
being raised. Agnes heard the sound Of
the falling. body. Every sound had
for three years been associated with
the possible return OF her husband.
Though be had been reported killed.
none OF his comrades could youch for
his death. There was evidence Of his
having been taken to a hospital but
there all trace OF him was lost
Il heard something at the window"
she said. paling and rising.
"Sit down. sweetheart" said Bar
nett. looking troubled. you're always
something"
But Agnes went TO the window and
threw open the shutters. Leaning for
ward. there. on the ground below. she
saw an indlstinct mass. From the mo-
ment she espied It she knew that II
was her husband.
Toni oh. Tomr she exclaimed.
agnes" said Barnett nournfully,
TON win haunt you so ing as you
live"
He caught her about t. waist and
drew her back into the O. n. At the
same moment Tom Angl lie, recover
ing. got up on his feet. his white
face and great black eye appeared at
the open window. Il
Agnes sprang forward nd threw her
arms about his neck. Barnett stood
back in establishment. He was prac-
teal man. but for a moment the belief
rushed upon him that he was looking
Ut Abih hhEie7Aht = khVot AhNh 49,
Barnett and Agnes hurried out and
brought Tom In.
agnes" said Tom. "let me kiss our
boy once, only once; then I'll go away"
you shall never CO." cried Agnes.
clinging TO him.
"Are you not marriedT said Tom.
catching at hope.
"No. but | was TO have been next
week. Mr.. Barnett has been 80 kind
to us, and b..
She would have added that her
means were exhausted, but checked
herself. ri
Tom put out his arms. and husband
and wife were locked in a long. silent
embrace.
agnes" said Barnett. "whlle this is
blow to me, l rejoice for you Fare
WE'LL And. little Dick, kiss me. You
will not now have to call me papa.
Your own soldier papa has come back
to you"
Before a word could be spoken IN 70