The Tupelo journal., 1903-06-19
1t was from the family doctor, and

tttii y ~ a ~ 80
abouts, and am writing Immediately
to tell you that your mother is
dangerously i'll. Perhaps you know
she is NOW blind, and we were hoping
shortly to operate on her for cata-
ract. | regret to say, however, she
lis sinking fast, and if you would see
her alive you must come at once.
Yours truly, j. Lennox Smith"
For a few minutes after Dick had
read the letter they sat without
speaking. Then a hard, wild look
came over Jim's face, and he put up
his bands to hide it.
II shall never see her now, Dick"
he g"oaned.
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. I'll
tell you what-I1l run down to Stan
bridge tonight and see how she is.
and I'll tell her you are coming, and
that you II sorry for the past. 1t
will give her something to hope for
something to live for. BY jove! if a
cab moves quickly L car 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.
Eat 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 me, how is his
mother?"
"She's sinking" said the doctor.
shes eaten her heart out h%ungering
send. Poor soul! l think she was
too proud to tell us she didn't know
Jim's address. He's been a wicked
son, and I'll tell you that, even if you
are his friend"
He is different now. l have come
to tell his mother that he is sorry. i
have come to ask her forgiveness for
him, and her blessing. Let me see his
mother, doctor. Perhaps my message
will heal the hurt a little. Perhaps
it 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 10
let her die now than to call her back
to life only to kill her after with a
more cruel death. But you had better
come, and you must break the news
gently"
The thin worn face, with those
pitiful, 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 stroked 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
grasped 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 a day OF 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 a sigh the wasted form fell back
on the pillow.
With a low cry of horror Dick
sprang to his feet, but the doctor
thrust him aside. For several minutes
he listened and felt the thin wrist.
Then with a smile he turned and
whispered:
Happily, she is asleep. She will
live now to take her Jim back into
her aching heart! But for the mo-
ment I feared your good news had
killed her."
Before daybreak 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.
He 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 mothers
better, Jim, and is waiting for you
to come. Perhaps tomorrow, old
chap, you can travel down."
Dick was startled at the wild,
despairing eyes that turned toward
him.
Il called you back, Dick" said
Ramsey, hoarsely; Il called you
back, but you didn't hear. You
thought you were acting for the best,
but it would have been kinder to have
let her die"
"Jim!'
"She will never see me, because by
tonight 1 shall be arrested for en-
beZzlement.'
Jim, r you mad!"