Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-09-01

! Cdstdl SltOuSH u Ieh'e Adiy > pdChSl
downstairs on the mantelpiece in the
| little parlor.
"Shows what l am"' he said fiercely.
as he made an attempt to get up, light
a candle and go down for it.
But he found the effort quite appal.
lingly severe, and gave it up.
He dozed deliriously, played with
Mary in boy-and-girl fashion, danced
with her, had her all to himself in the
Bradshaw Woods, wooed and won her
all over again. Off and on he woke,
to gasp and groan and utter eXclama-
tions. The Pretoria nurses would
have interpreted those eXclamations
Alright, but he was alone now, and had
worse tones after each bout of them.
For the second time the girl knocked
at his door.
"Your hot water sir"' she cried, and
set her ear to listen.
She did not listen long, but hurried
downstairs, with word for the master
that the gentleman in No. was shout
ing in the queerest way.
Il think he's i'll, sir" she said. "He
looked bad last night"
The landlord made no bones about
entering Dicks room when he, too
had raped to no purpose. He gazed
at Dick for a few moments, and felt
his blood chill little at Dicks furious
cry: 81 tell you you are dead, Mary.
so don't deny it,! touched Dicks burn
ing forehead, and left him.
Hes in a fever-that's what's the
matter with him." he said "You just
go for Mr.. Barker, Jane, right away"
Poor young fellow!" said Jane
eagerly. THAT 1 will, SIR"
Moreover, being in love herself, she
stone.
ITS maybe present for Miss Dud-
ley" she said to herself. And, putting
on her hat, carried off Dicks little
packet for No. 2 Devonshire Road. d =
"Nursen'
The darkness had passed from Dicks
brain, and, having opened his eyes and
seen things as they were, though with
an imperfect grasp of the facts, he
whispered the monosyllable.
The quick rustic of dress answered
him and the words:
"Yes, my dear boy"
"You, mother?" said Dick, looking
up at the face that was the best and
truest object in life for him.
She clasped his hand-a bony shape,
loosely laced with skin.
Suddenly the cloud fell upon him.
1t all came back-wound, fever, the
long weeks in hospital, the voyage
home in weakness and anxiety as well
as hope, the news of Mary's fortune
and Sir Taryer Brown, his rebuff in
st. Pauls Church yard and his journey
TO Nellerton.
He grcaned, IN spite of himself, and
turned his face to the wall.
Now, then, dear, let me raise your
head"
"What's the use?" he murmured.
1t was his one and only flash of peev.
ishness. The next instant he obeyed
orders, with smile. 1t was dr0ary
smile, yet a smile.
How L must have worried you,
motherr' he said quietly, as he settled
after the tonic. Il suppose this is Mel.
lerton"
She kissed him as mothers do kiss
their grown sons of whom they are
very proud.
"Try and sleep again, dear" she said,
rather tremulously.
But Mary Dudley and her infidelity-
her eXcusable infidelity-were vivid in
his mind. How could he sleep amid
such realizations?
"All right" he said, shutting his
eyes.
Then Il sunny gray mist settled upon
his brain, and his surroundings We're
to him as if they were not. 1t was not
so much sleep as translation Of spirit.
"oh, Mary, Mary, what shall do
without you?" his lips cried aloud,
even while his mind was active in
some remoter atmosphere.
Nothing, dear Dick, you shall not
| do without me as long as we live, for
we will be always together" A hand
was laid on his forehead-a little satiny
| llttlNl, Win lONC " al III Ill I'LL It's DClCS.
And instantly Dick opened his eyes.
Mary" lie gasped
This time Mary Dudley laid her face
by his on the pillow, smiling, and
whispered, with her mouth close to his
mouth:
"Of course, Dick who else should it
be?"
But it was not until the evening
that she was allowed to give him in
full measure the only tonic that could
be warranted able to make him him.
self again in spirit and in truth. Then
she did not spare him.
81 ought to feel ashamed of you,
Dick" she explained, "for supposing,
If only for a second, that could care
anything for my money apart from
you? Sir Taryer Brown, indeed! Why
was just waiting for sign from
you. And I got Tiny own ring! Oh
.I ! Diclyf f'-Cbicapo Repord- Harold