Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-06-11
1t was from the family doctor, and

she is now blind, and we were hoping
shortly to operate ON her for cata-
ract. | regret to say, however. she
is sinking fast, and if you would see
her alive you must come at once.
Yours truly, J, Lennox Smith,"
read the letter they sat without
speaking. Then a hard, wild look
came over Jim's face, and he put up
his hands to hide it
Il shall never see her now, Dick"
he groaned.
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-lll 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. 1t
will give her something to hope for
something to live for. By jove! if a
cab moves quickly | 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.
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 me, how is his
mother?"
She's sinking" said the doctor.
"She's eaten her heart out hungering
for her boy, but she wouldn't let Us
send. Poor soul! L think she was
o 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. | have come
to tell his mother that he is sorry. l
nave come TO ask her forgiveness for
MN, ana her blessing. Let me see his
mother, doctor. Perhaps my message
VIII heal the hurt a little. Perhaps
IT VIII give her something to live
foi.'
Heaven grant 1t may" said the
doctor. but are you sure he Will
come later, for 1T would be kinder to
let her ole now than TO call her back
to life only to Kill her after with a
more cruel death. But you mad better
come n you must break the news
gently"
Inc thin, worn face, with those
pltltul' VIDE open slghtless eyes,
turned toward DICK as her quick ears
caught the strange tread.
is that you Jim, dear"' she
whispered. Dick took the wasted
hand and gently stroked 1t.
I'm Jlm'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;
side, he poured out the story OF Jlm's
penltence. And he told her that her
Jim was hurt-Just a little hurt-but
he would come IN a day or two, and
then they would both be happy.
Yes, we shall all be happy them"
whispered the mother. Heaven bless
you, Jlm's pal, Heaven bless YOU
linen she a up n raised her finger.
Hush" she said. Make no noise,
for ny baby dim 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. Fol- several minutes
he lstened II felt the thin wrist.
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 l feared your good news had
killed her."
Before daybreak Dick was back in
London; he had come up by the early
market train.
MI. Ramsey is worse" said the
nurse. THE doctor thinks he has
something on his mind"
Yes, | know" answered Dick,
cheerfully. Its about his mother.
He feared she was dying, but now she
is going to get well again"
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