Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-01-08
ence w.s restful to my overtaxed

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nerves.
In few days l began to improve
rapidly. l took an interest in my sur
roundings, and, having discovered that
l was actually in Somersville, asked
many questions, trying to find out
through my nurse many things that I
desired to know concerning the man
whose infamy had caused me this
journey to Somersville.
My nurse was native of the town
and was one of the generous yolun-
teers who had given their services to
the victims of the wreck. All who
knew her called her Mamie, and when
/ asked how to address her she told me
to call her Mamie, as the others did.
One day l asked her, in as uncon-
cerned a voice as I could muster,
whether she knew any Bradleys living
in the town.
Indeed l do" she replied 81 know
them very WELL But why do you ask?
Do you know any of them?"
In reckless burst of confidence, hav-
ing first bound her to secrecy, I told
my story. 1t was relief to me, lying
there on my back, with my eyes star
ing at the white ceiling, to pour out
my wrongs to this girl in whose pres
ence and touch l always felt a wealth
of sympathy l did not note her face
during my recital, so engrossed was l
upon the picture my brain was paint
ing.
When | had finished, she said in
curiously dry, hard voice:
You were terribly wronged. You
have suffered cruelty, but 1 cannot
speak of this now. I will come to you
again.
For nearly two weeks an intermittent
fever kept me in bed. My gentle little
nurse was even more solicitous than
before, but she did not allude to the
story had told her. A trace of sadness
seemed to have crept into her manner,
which l could not ascribe to any par
ticular cause.
On the second day was able to dress
myself and sit on the edge of my cot
Mamie seated herself on chair near
me.
II want you to promise me something
today" she said in low, quiet voice,
keeping her eyes fixed on the floor in
front of her.
III promise you anything in reason,
Miss Mamie" l answered, with more
fervor in my voice than in my words,
for this tender girl had grown mex
pressibly dear to me-
"This is within reason. You must for
give Jim Bradleyw
Mamie have sworn to kill him. l
shall keep my VOW"
''No, no! You must not! 1t would be
terrible. You must forgive him. For
my sake, promise me that you will for
give him."
could only stare at the floor and try
to frame words of strength, of determi-
nation
"Come," she whispered, and, taking
my hand, she led me to the end Of the
ward where a screen hid cot from
view. We all knew the meaning of
that ominous screen.
Noiselessly she pushed it to one side.
There lay the man whom for months
had been pursuing. The CHASTITY pallor
of death was on his features. The life
was Pickering in the eyes that met
mine. The quite, despairing appeal on
his face killed the last Of my resent
ment. Mamie had taken his hand, and,
unconscious of what was doing, let
her put it in mine. Bradley was the
only one to speak.
''That smashup finished me. am not
worth revenge now, but-I'm sorry
AS he spoke he brought his hands to-
gether and placed Nannie's in mine
"Poor little sis! I've been bad lot!''
lie fell back on his pillow. A few
days later he was beyond all vengeance
Of this life, and as Mamie and left his
grave we faced the future together.