The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1904-03-19

puSnNu Hio nat rum MS hStAs hSh 2
strange feeling of weakness came over
him and he sank down upon the step
Little gusts of gddiness whlrled
through hlm-then everything swan in
rosy sea and his head dropped back.
A moment later the outer door open
ed and Agnes Harper looked out ahe
was worrying about Richards appear
ance He certainly was ILL., 1t was
wrong for her to let him go. He had
come all that long journey on her &C
account. A little flush stole into her
cheeks And she had let him go in such
an unfeelng way. And scarcely know
Ing why she did so-perhaps to reassure
nelghborhood, perhaps in hopes lnat ha
was, and that she could call him back
she opened the outer door Then she
saw Richard and flung the door vide.
ooh, OH" she cried, and ran to him
and got her strong arms undr his
srmpits and half carried. half drew him
by degrees across the porch and INTO the
hall He was a much lighter burden
than she feared he would be, aud sha
had him lying on the rugs in the half
darkened room in very few seconds,
Then she ran through an inner door and
quickly returned with cloths and brok-
EN- ice, and deity packed the after
about Rlehardss head When this was
done she hurried to the telephone
Richard Burton, lying in half-con-
scious state had series of strange
visions. Sometimes they were separated
by long blanks like the tedious waits of
first performance; sometimes they fol.
lowed close together like the pictures OF
a ibograph- But they were always hazy
and intangible and slipped away one
after another into nothngness.
And then one day came the strangest
vision of all He had opened his eyes
very slowly, because the light iazzled
them a little, and then he saw some.
thing that dazzled him still more 1t
was comedy young woman sitting be-
side his bed bending her dainty head
above a bit of sewing. And the young
| woman was Agnes.
Richard Burton lay very still He
was afraid that the vision would vanish
like all the other visions. But 1t was
wonderful how real that seemed. could
that tiny curl on Agnes snowy neck be
thing of imagination? And tnen she
suddenly looked up and caught his eye
She drew little nearer. She put her
cool hand on his forehead How real II
seemed. Then she smiled down at him.
Have you come back?" she softly
said, and sank on her knees beside the
bed and brought her face on a level
with his.
agnes whispered Richard Burton
and closed his eyes. And 10! when he
opened them again she was still there!
as it really you, Agnes?'
She softly stroLed his thin, white
hands.
Eyes, Riehard-and so glad, so very
glad!"
And he saw that while she smiled
there were tears in her beautiful eyes.
81 have been i'll, Agnes?"
Every i'll"
His eyes wandered from her face
around the room, tasteful, bright and
filled with countless dainty treasures.
Where am l. Agnes?"
"This is my room, Richard"
"Your room!"
81 had you brought here, Richard, be-
cause it is the coolest room in he
| house."
"And you-you--" his voice broke a
little
81 did the best could, Richard. At
fines it seemed so little. The doctor
was very attentive, and very Skillful,
and you were docile and uncomplain-
ing patient We We're greatly favored"
"And how long have been i'll,
Agnes?"
1T is five weeks ago today tina! you
fell at our threshold, Richard.
Give weeks! But you were going
abroad?"
"Ah, you remember that! Good. The
doctor said your memory would come
back slowly. Well. | didn't go"
did l keep you here, Agnes?"
Il don't think you can be held re-
sponsible, Richard. ] simply made up
my mind to wait until a little later, 1.
interfered some with mammals plans,
but, she went without me. That IS all.
He looked at her with graceful eyes.
II ought to feel distressed at my
shameful selflshness," he said, "but all
l feel is gladness." His gaze roamed to
the windows. is the dear old world
outside there?" he asked.
Eyes, Richard, it's very mucn the
same as when you left it-only not SO
warm. And the world has treated you
fairly well during your absence Cousin
George has sent me word that your
mine is proving quite bonanza. But
there, all that will keep" She paused
and seemed at loss how to proceed
"The doctor said you were not to talk
too much at first, but fancy you can
listen. And | have something IN tell
you-something to confess took an
underhand advantage of YOU Richard.