Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28
THEKING'SRUBIES'
A STORY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
By Adelaide Fuller Bel.
Copyright by Henry T. Coates q Old
(Conclusion)
CHAPTER XXXII.
Bernard Leman.


was late and most of the convalescent pa
tients were wrapped in slumber. occa-
sionaIiy a groan echoed through ward
| where some poor sufferer lay tossing
| through the sleepless hours
| There had been terrible epidemic OF
| typhoid fever in the city and the hospitals
were crowded to their utmost capacity. so
| that almost as soon as patient was able
| to be about he was crowded out of the
building to make room for a newcomer.
| There were scarcely enough nurses to at.
| tend properly to the sick.
| Among those almost reaSfy to be dis
| charged was Mr. Lewis Phirs father On
account of the duration and severe nature
| OF his Illness he had been permitted to
| main longer than other victims whose ILL
| ness mad not been so critical.
| Inc epidemic increased in the mea ntime,
ana then came the question of nurses Mr..
| Lewis learning that they needed more help.
offered his assistance. He was accepted
| temporarily and proved himself a capable
| person with the sick although he had had
| no particular training He was not given
| charge of the,worst cases, but among those
| VINO were improving or only slightly i'll he
was quite as able to do his work success
| fulIy as the skilled nurses in the hospital
| He was on duty for the night but his
| charges were all sleeping quietly, and he
sat reading beside a shaded lamp. The
DOCK made him drowsy, and laying II aside
| he walked softly among the sleepers. There
was one young boy, with silky black hair
and dark eyes, just about Phirs age Of
whom he was very fond. He had been too
| Ill to be questioned, but Mr.. Lewis felt so
great an interest in him that he determined
| TO the ocean Bernard moved and moaned
friendless In the world, for his own sons
| sake, of whom he reminded him.
| He stood over the bedside looking down
at the sleeper and thinking of his own boy
| In Ohio. He sighed as he heard the am
| bulance dash up to the door.
| Another unfortunate" he murmured 'I
| am glad that shall soon be able to leave
| this place of suffering-eave it for home"
| and the dreamy look came into his ewes "a
| he recalled visions of rugged hills and green
| plains watered by sparkling streams: OF
| trees.
In fancy he saw the thrifty, broad-hattef
| Dunkards driving to town with their wives
and daughters-brown-eyed and fair of face
behind the fat, wel-kept horses But
| of the hospital physicians
| There has been an accident case brought
| in," he said. You have an empty bed and
we are SO crowded we must bring him in
| here among the fever patients. 1t will do
| him no harm, for he is quite beyond help.
But he may regain consciousness, and we
! hope he will that his identity may be estab-
| lished You have only to watch for a sign
| of returning reason, then call me-"
/ They carried in Bernard Leman and all
! night the father of the boy whom he had
Wronged watched by his side, unconscious
| that through him he was to receive tidings
! of his son. The hours wore on and when
| the sun began to sparkle on the water in
| the bay and make golden pathway out
| TO the ocean Bernard moved and moaned
ptlfuly. The physician was summoned at
| once.
"Ah!' he said hopefully, as he saw the
| look of intelligence in the injured mans
| eyes. this looks better; but it is almost a
miracle that he ever knew anything again.
rms gives US ray, just a faint ray, OF
hope for his life Give him a little nour-
| ishment If he revives sufficiently to receive
| 1t, and find out who he is "
AS he relapsed into a heavy sleep, his
nurse was relieved from duty for few
hours rest. His work was at night and
his time of service began at eleven o'clock.
But he felt an unusual interest in the
stranger who had been brought in so badly
injured 1t was the first accident case that
had come under his care. and he wished
heartily that he might assist the young
! man to recover.
So about four o'clock in the afternoon he
sHpped nolselessy into the ward and stood
by Demands bedside
How is he getting along?" he asked Of
the attendant.
The latter shook his head hopelessly "It
| Is only a matter of few hours"
Have you found out who he is-any-
| thing?'
Nothing whatever He has not spoken
The patient stirred and opened his eyes
Where am I?' he asked.
The regular nurse was at this moment
called away and Mr.. Lewis bent over him
and said gently, "In the care of friends"
Blackhart again"
I'm Easton? Do you come from Ohio?
Have you friends there?"
mot friends; an enemy the falsest-
He paused. mo. I must not say that: he
was no worse than I. But" he added joy
| ously, that is all past, all forgiven
But do you know no one else in Eas-
ton?" Mr.. Lewis urged gently, disappointed
that Blackhart's name was the only one
mentioned by the stranger.
Yes. the Montjoys.'
1.-THE Montjoys
"And the Ponsonbys," the sick man said,
like one in a dream, and then lay quiet.
az lived in Easton for short time" Mr..
Lewis said at last.
You, you?" repeated Bernard, shade
Of fear crossing his face: Who are your"
MY name is Lewis. Philip Lewis"
"Ah! 1 forgot; knew Phil-Phil Lewis;
he said his father was in California
He is my son. Can you tell me any
thing of him? But first tell me who you
are and If you have any friends with whom
you wish to communicated"
rs II so bad as that-as that?'-with a
look of terror. Well, it is better so. My i.
name is Bernard Leman. None of my peo-
pie are living, that know of. l have been
bad-very bad. Perhaps it was all my own
fault; 1 cannot tell. My mother was a
gypsy. She placed me on the doorstep of
the people who adopted me. They were good
and kind to me in every way, and l believed
myself their very own son. until a COM
panion, in fit Of anger told me the truth.
confirmed the boys statement, but assured
me that 1 was just as dear TO them as if
their own son. After that l didn't care
what became of me- l went from bad to
worse. 1 think l broke my parents hearts
with my evil ways, and they died, leaving
me well provided with this worlds goods
1 had every chance to make man of my
self, but 1 did not try. My fortune was
soon squandered and you see me here, pen
nileSs and had 1t not been for the good
people who found me last night, hopeless
as we'll"
This recital was not made without many
pauses, and Mr.. Lewis gently put in a word
now and then to aid him. Again he re-
lapsed into silence that lasted until the ply
sician came on his rounds. The doctor
could give no hope that Bernard would
recover, and at his request sent for
the leader of the Salvation Army with
whom he had taken his last walk. After
ward he rallied and his mind seemed
clearer.
Suddenly he asked, Are you really Phirs
father?"
Yes" returned Mr.. Lewis.
He is good boy. One of the best ever
knew, and / cheated him cruelty, though
twas to please the boy just at the moment
rather than to benefit myself, for the stone