Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-14
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
THE SOLDIERS
= = RETURN
IOriginai.l

MIN.
That's n question for you TO an
swer," said n surgeon who had re-
moved q 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 now"
Know who am? OF course l do.
I'm Tom Angleside of the til United
States infantry. Did we drive 'cm of
the hill:"
What hill?"
''San Juan
The surgeon took off 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 OF the pressure has restored
Il it"
Tom Angleside, who was in perfect
health excepting the wound on his
head. which had needed TO be opened,
after n few days disappeared from the
hospital without being discharged am
started homeward. He well remem-
bered the day when he had marched
past the house and his young wife had
)eld their baby, little Dick. up at the
window. telling him 10 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 coursinS down
Agnes cheeks just as he turned n cor
ner and could see them no longer.
Three years Il blank, What had be
come of the wife and boy?
He had no money and was obliged to
work his way as best he could to his
home. several hundred miles distant.
He reached the town ut 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
throbbing. Going TO Il window, he
looked through the Stats of the shut
ter. IN the sitting room. the same
room where he had been 50 happy. sat
Agnes. beside her man whom Tom
had known well, much older and well
to do in this worlds goods. Morgan
Barnett. y boy of four years was
with them, ana Agnes and Barnett
were trying 10 induce the child to say
papa"
HE is not papa" said the boy. "Pa
pa was soldier. He went up San
Juan hill. I'm going 10 be n soldier
too. It's. not polite for you to love
mamma"
Tom Angleside groaned. Then, put
ting his hand TO his wound, he sank
down beneath the window.
1t 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 he had been reported killed,
none of his comrades could vOuch 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 ut the window"
she said. paling and rising.
"Sit down. sweetheart" said Bar
nett. looking troubled. You're always
imagining something"
But Agnes went to the window and
threw open the shutters. Leaning for
ward. there, on the ground below. she
saw an ihdistinct mass. From the mo
ment she espied it she knew that it
was her husband.
agnes" said Barnett mournfully.
'"Tom will haunt you so long as you
live"
He caught her about the waist and
drew her back into the room. At the
same moment Tom AnEleside. recover
ing, got up on his feet. and his white
face and great black eyes appeared at
the open window.
Agnes sprang forward and threw her
arms about his neck. Barnett stood
back in establishment. He was prac-
teal man. but for moment the belief
rushed upon him that he was looking
at Tom AnGleside's ghost. Then both
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 so kind
to us, and
She would have added that her
means were exhausted, but checked
herself.
Tom put out his arms. and husband
and wife were locked in a long, silent
embrace.
agnes" said Barnett, 'while this is
blow TO me. 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 re-
ply he had gone out into the night.
Agnes told her husband how she had
always felt that he would some day
return TO her; how her friends had per-
suaded her that he was dead; how Bar
nett had prevailed on her to accept |
him for n husband. that he might the |