Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-09-12
He CROPPED his way to the door.


Jeff" he called, firmly retracing his
steps and touching the others should
ers, "did you understand? l said she
went quietly; for several hours there
was no pain
The head came slowly up from the
hands; the eyes looked squarely into
the doctors own, wonderingly first,
then comprehendingl "Yes--yes,
I understand, Doc; | understand!
II.
He looked after the bent figure Of the
doctor till it disappeared among the
orange trees "She went quietly;
that's all right; good for you, doctor!"
He whispered softly, rising and going
to the door, where he stood and looked
for a moment at his suffering friend.
Bob poor mother, half dead from the
grief and horror of it all, was using the
little strength she had left in trying
to comfort and quiet her loved one.
''But just one little drink, Mumsie,"
Jeff heard him say; why I'm on fire
well-I'1 die anyway; nobody could
stand this"
"tJust one drink'-her words, and
she went quietly" whispered his
heart. He noticed with terror that the
beady look in the poor, bloodshot
eyes was becoming more marked, and
the sinuous swaying back and forth Of
the head more constant. ''For all the
world like that gray devil that bit
him, when I tried to kill it." He
had heard that these were unfailing
symptoms; now ne knew He ap-
preached the bed;s Bob's head darted
back, as if to strike, and his eyes
glittered venomously. The horror
seemed complete.
"Why, it's you, Jeff; where've you
been, old fellow? You'll give me wa
ter, won't your" The eyes softened,
now, and filed with tears.
jeff Hendricks was a God-fearing
man. For brief instant as he stood
there his eyes closed and he seemed
oblivious to all earthly things; when
they opened again light shone out
from EN- that was not of this world,
He leaned over and softly whispered
something into Bob's ear. There was
a sharp cry of relief, the distorted face
relaxed into smile, the means were
hushed. By a method peculiarly his
own, jeff pursuaded the WORKOUT
mother to go away and rest, giving her
a sleeping powder to make sure. He
sent everybody else away, $50 Bob
could be perfectly quiet, and give the
morphine a chance" he tod them.
And now no time must be lost. Half
a minute later the door to the sick
chamber was noiselessly opened and
closed. / am glad to believe that
when the slash Of the water against
of the feyer-racked man on the bed,
and his eyes caught the first glimpse
of the precious contents thereof, the
God of Love and Mercy smiled his ap-
prevail and said well done!'
"All right, here you are, old man, a
whole bucketful if you want 1.-THE
doctor says so.' With smile pass
ing the tenderness of woman, Jeff
watched glass after glass disappear.
When finally, with a sigh of exhaus-
ton and thankfulness, Bob sank back
on the pillows Thank God-and
you, old boy, for that he murmured
YEARLY and sleepily. do you know
when I get well 1 am going to car
ry some of that good stuff around with
me all the time in bottle or some
thing-why, I believe I'm going to
Sleep
Good, hope you will, and say,
Bob, don't let the others know I gave
you the water-do you hear, do you
understand? They have such old
fogy' notions-it would make them
more anxious" Bob smiled and nod
ded drowsily The water-bucket was
hastily restored to it's place. When
Jeff re-entered the sick-room Bob was
calmly sleeping, his breathing soft and
regular. Lovingly his chances lin
gered over the smooth cheeks, the SEN
sitive mouth, the dark curls-and
whether there should, or should not
be waking, he thanked God for that
quiet sleep. His thoughts went back
to the long hours of the night just past
that restless, pain-racked, thirst-ac-
cursed night. The remembrance of it
melted his heart within him. In Gods
name why hadn't he given it to him
sooner. Miserable coward and weak
ling that he was!
YOU'D have given it to me, Bob;
you wouldn't have seen me tortured
for hours with such quick relief within
your REACH" he whispered sobbingly.
''No, not if there'd been regiment
there! Forgive me, dear, dear old boy;
if you can't now you will in that place
where you're SO soon going" He tried
to imagine what life would be without
him. His memory went back to their
boyhood; the same desk at school, the
same room at college, partners in bust
ness. Neither had ever known a joy
or sorrow not shared by the other. He
loved him, always had loved him,
more than any other living thing. Re-
morse had no place in his memory.
There had never been a discordant
note. They had taken their little cap
fol nd ho1 to ha willis Of