The Red Cloud chief., 1905-04-07

- ~ 'he hslVth /" hNNDIy
tossed the racked body Of him whom
Barrett had called Jerry the Teller.
The head was n shapeless bundle, 30
swathed II was with bandages and
cloths, and what part Of the face was
visible was discolored and augmented
with drugs. Stretched under the white
sheet the man looked immensely tall
as Horncr saw with vague misgiving-
and he lay In an odd, inhuman fash
lon. as though he had been all broken
to pieces. His attempts to move were
constantly soothcd by the nurse, and
he as constantly continued such at
tempts, and one hand, though torn
and bandngcd, vas not to be restrained
from II wandering, restless movement
that Meredith felt to be pathetic. lie
had entered the room with q 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 II was too late. But
at first sight Of the broken figure he
felt all animosity fall away from him.
Only awe remained and n growing
traltorous pity rs he watched the long
white fingers of the Teller pick at the
coverlct. The man was muttering
rapid fragments of words and sylla-
blcs.
Somehow I feel n sense of wrong.
Gay" Meredith whispered to the sur;
geon. whom he know. 81 feel rs II l
had done the fellow to death myself.
as II 1t were all out Of gear. ! know
o 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 IL
there's n mistake to he made you can
count on Barrett and his sergcnnts to
make 1t. l doubt IL 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-
urc. "See here, Jerry" he said. II want
to talk to you n little. Rouse up. will
you? l want to talk to you as a
Friend"
The incoberent muttering continued.
'Sce here. Jerry" repeated Barrett
more sharply. Jerry! Rouse up. will
you? We don't Want any fooling. I'M
derstand that, Jerry" He dropped his
hand on the mans shoulder and shook
him slightly.
The Teller uttered a short. gasping
cry.
"Let me-" said Gay and swiftly in
terposcd. Vending over the cot. he said
In n pleasant voice: IT'S all right, old
man; it's all right. Slattery wants to
know what you did with that man
down Mt Plattville when you got
through with him. lie can't remember,
and he thinks there was money left on
him. Slattcry's head was hurt. lie
can't remember. He'll go shares with
you when he gets it. 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
Ile young surgeon, gently moving the
hand back upon the sheet. Hell divvy
up when he gets 1t. He'll stand by you.
old man."
"WOuld you please not mind" whis-
pered the Teller faintly-"would you
please not mind II you took care not to
brush against my shoulder againT'
The surgeon drew back. with an ex-
clamation, but the Teller's whisper
gathered strength. and they heard him
murmuring oddly to himself. Mere
dith moved forward, with a 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 new
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 n rich but broken voice. and
they heard it singing like the sound of
some far, hating minstrelsy:
"Wave willows-murmur w~aters-goIden
sunbea'G smile.
Earthly ~nntv.c-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
UiIl hn HffIn Vnft " 49,