The Forrest City times., 1903-06-19
81 shall never see her now, Dick.

Nonsense, man, nonsense. cried
Manwaring. startled by the despair
ing tones of his friends voice. In a
day or two YOU will be able TO travel.
and she can't be so dangerously i'll
or the doctor would have wired. Ill
tell You what-I1l run down to Stan
bridge tonight and see how she is.
and III tell her you are coming, and
that You are sorry for the past. II
will give her something To hope for
something To live fer. by joxe. If a
cab moves quickly l can catch the
next train. See You in the morning.
Cheer up, old boy" and in a moment
he was gone; and Jim fell back. while
his poor, troubled brain began to
wonder.
1t was nearing eleven when Dick
Manwaring Knocked at the silent
manor house at Stanbridge, but the
door was quickly opened.
at last" cried the little doctor,
drawing him into the light. why,
who are you? Where's Jim?'
..Jim's helpless in bed from an acct
dent" explained Dick, rapidly. I'm
his friend. Tell Inc, how is his
mother"
..She's sinking" said the doctor
shes eaten her heart out hunPerine
for her boy, but she wouldn't let Us
send. Poor soul. | think she was
too proud TO tell us she didn't know
Iims address. Hes been wicked
son, and III tell you that, even if you
are his friend
''He is different now. l have come
to tell his mother that he is sorry /
have come to ask her forgiveness for
him. and her blessing. Let me see his
mother, doctor. Perhaps my message
will heal the hurt Il little. Perhaps
il will give her something To live
for
Heaven grant it may" said the
doctor. But are YOU sure he will
come later. for it would be kinder to
let her die now than to call her back
To life only to kill her after with a
come, and you must break the news
gently"
The thin, worn face. with those
ptiful. wide open, sightless eyes.
turned toward Dick as her quick ears
caught the strange tread.
rs that you. Jim, dear?" she
whispered. Dick took the wasted
hand and gently strolled it.
I'm Jim's pal" he said, softly: and
then, as he watched the eager look
Of hope die on the patient face, he
added, quickly, Jim sent his love"
How eagerly the poor, craving heart
2rasped even that poor message of
love. With a half sob the mother
clasped his hand and carried it to
her thin, trembling lips. Dick stopped
quickly and kissed the faded cheek
then falling on his knees by the bed
side, he poured out the story of Jim's
penitence. And he told her that her
Jim was hurt-just "a little hurt-but
he would come in day or two, and
then they would both be happy.
Yes, we shall all be happy then
whispered the mother. Heaven bless
YOU. Jim's pal, Heaven bless YOU
Then she sat up and raised her finger
Hush" she said MAKE no noise
for my baby Jim is asleep" Then
| with sigh the wasted form fell back
| on the pillow.
With "A low cry of horror Dicl,
sprang to his feet, but the doctor
thrust him aside. For several minutes
he listened and felt the thin wrist
Then with Il smile he turned and
whispered:
Happily, she is asleep. She will
| live now to take her jim back into
her aching heart. But fer the mo-
ment feared your good news had
| killed her"
Before daybreal< Dick was back in
London; he had come up by the early
market train.
Mr.. Ramsey is worse" said the
nurse. The doctor thinks he has
something on his mind"
Yes, l know answered Dick,
cheerfully. Its about his mother.
lie feared she WAS dying, but now She
is going to get well again.
Its all right he burst out as he
entered the room; your mother
better, Jim, and is waiting for You
to come, Perhaps tomorrow, old
| chap, YOU can travel down"
Il called you back, Dick" said
Ramsey, hoarsely; Il called You
back. but you didn't hear. You