Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-03-29

led them down wide corridor ana up
a narrow hall, and they entered a
small, quiet ward.
There was pungent smell Of chem.
icals in the room. The light was low,
and the dimness was imbued with a
thick, confused murmur, incoherent
whisperings that came from cot In
the corner. 1t was the only cot in use
In the ward, and Meredith was con-
scious of terror that made him dread
to look at 1t. to 60 near it. Beside 1t
q nurse sat silent and upon 1t feebly
tossed the racked body Of him whom
Barrett had called Jerry the Teller.
The head was shapeless bundle, so
swathed it was with bandages and
cloths, and what part Of the face was
visible was discolored: and pigmented
with drugs. Stretched under the white
sheet the man looked immensely tall
as Horner saw with vague misgiving-
and he lay in an odd, inm.man fash
ion, as though he had been all broken
to pieces. His attempts to move were
constantly soothed by the nurse. and
he rs constantly continued such at
tempts. and one hand, though torn
and bandaged, was not to be restrained
from a wandering, restless movement
that Meredith felt to be pathetic. he
had entered the room with flare Of
hate for the thug whom he had come
to see die and who had struck down
the old friend whose nearness he had
never known until it was too late. But
at FIRST sight Of the broken figure he
felt all animosity fall away from him.
Only awe remained and growing
traitorous pity as he watched the long
white fingers Of the Teller pick at the
coverlet. The man was muttering
rapid fragments Of words and sylla-
bles.
Somehow l feel sense Of wrong,
Cay" Meredith whispered to the sur
geon, whom be know. 81 feel as If ]
had done the fellow to death myself,
as IL it were all out Of gear. I know
now how Henry felt over the great
Guisard. How tall he looks! That
doesn't seem to me like a thugs hand"
The surgeon nodded. "Of course If
there's a mistake to be made you can
count on Barrett and his sergeants to
make it. l doubt if this is their man.
When they found him, what clothes
he wore were torn and stained, but
they had been good once. especially
the linen."
Barrett bent over the recumbent fig.
ure. "See here, Jerry" he said, 81 want
to talk to you little. Rouse up, will
you? l want to talk to you as a
friend"
The incoherent muttering continued.
"See here. Jerry" repeated Barrett
more sharply. Jerry! Rouse up, Will
you? We don't want any fooling, un-
derstand that. Jerry" He dropped his
hand on the mans shoulder and shook
him slightly.
The Teller uttered short, gasping
cry.
"I.et me-" said Gay and swiftly in.
terposed. Bending over the cot, he said
In a pleasant voice: Its all right, old
man; it's all right. Slattery wants to
know what you did with that man
down at Plattville when you got
through with him. He can't remember.
and he thinks there was money left on
him. Slattery's head was hurt. He
can't remember. He'll go shares with
you when he gets 1t. Slattery's going to
stand by you If he can get the money"
The Teller only tried to move his free
hand to the shoulder Barrett had shak-
en-.
"Slattery wants to know" repeated
the young surgeon, gently moving the
hand back upon the sheet. Hell divvy
up when he gets it. He'll stand by you.
old man."
would you please not mind" whis-
pered the Teller faintly-'would you
please not mind if you took care not to
brush against my shoulder again?"
The surgeon drew back. with an eX-
clamation. but the Tellers whisper
gathered strength. and they heard him
murmuring oddly 10 himself. Mere
dith moved forward. with startled
gesture. whats that?" he said.
Seems to be trying to sing. or some
thing" said Barrett. bending over to
listen.
The Teller swung his arm heavily
over the side Of the cot. the fingers nev-
er ceasing their painful twitching. The
surgeon leaned down and gently moved
the cloths so that the white, SCARED
lips were free. They moved steadily.
They seemed to be framing the SEM
blance of an old ballad that Meredith
knew. The whisper grew more distinct.
1t became rich but broken voice, and
they heard 1t singing like the sound Of
some fur. halting minstrelsy:
"Wave willows-murmur waters-golden
sunbeams smile.
Earthly music-cannot waken-lovely-
Annie Lisle.'
Meredith gave an exclamation.
The bandaged hand waved jauntily
over the Teller's head. "Ah, men," he
said, almost clearly. and tried to lift
himself on his arm, 81 tell you it's a
grand eleven we have this year! There
will be little left Of anything that
stands against them. It's our cham
pionship. Did you see Jim Ronley ride
over his man this afternoon?"
AS the voice grew clearer the sheriff
stepped forward. but Tom Meredith,
with loud cry Of grief, threw him
self on his knees beside the cot and
seized the wandering fingers in his