The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-30
Exclusive Agent Here. Alex Rice
 Court Square

mother" spoke the corporal. desirious of fulfilling his mission and of with drawing.
 Come up onto the porch" said the man; T will epxlain." And the two went to the north end-an end screened by wires.
 T am his father" continued tho speaker
 Corporal Thompson started with sur prise. because in many points the Saul Griggs of reality did not tally with the aSul Griggs of fancy.
 You cannot give that message to his mother. She is dying She's been dying for month or more. and all that holds her up Is the hope she'll heard you on the walk she heard you, too. and she said: There's Johnny! There's Johnny Tell him to hurry. pa I thought for moment that 1t was sure John: but 1t wasn't
 The old man laid his hand on the corporars shoulder caressingly, per- suasively.
 Now. why can't you be Johnny, just for a minute? It won't do any good to tell her be's-he's-. But it'll make her leave happy if she thinks he's come back. I want her to die happy. God knows she's had enough trouble while living! 'Tisn't much for you to ! do-not much trouble. is 1t? She can't see: been blind for a month. All you
 need to do is to let her touch you and pet you little. Reckon there won't I be much talking. Can't you do it. for Jack. if not for us: He was your | friend. I guess"
 The corporal could only bow his head in sign of assent She's In thcre." said the father, in- dicating a room whose windows, now behind blinds. looked out on the other end of the porch. The corporal fol- | lowed the stopped figure into the dark | hall and through door which some | one gently opened and as gently shut
 into dusky. cool bedroom. Here he Is. ma.' said the conduc- | tor. cheerily. guiding him forward to
 the bed, which showed white in the
 dimness. Several persons. vaguely visible. made way as the two advanc- ed.
 | "Kneel down here, and let her put
 her hands on you." whispered the old
 man. So Corporal Thompson knelt \ beside the bed. A thin. soft hand flut-
 tered about his face. Johnny. my Johnny. is this you?
 Have you really come back? Thank GodT
 The words were so low, so feeble.
 but. ah. so full of joy! ] The hand crept around so that an
 arm encircled his neck and drew him | forward. His head reached a pillow. | and his cheek, all rough and hardened l by campaigning. pressed against one velvety, delicate A hand smoothed his other cheek and his hair-harsh, | unkempt, rarely brushed hair. This hand explored every line of his fea-
 lures. pausing to pat his forehead and | to untangle lock. All the time the voice murmured nd AA guishable paean of thanksgiving that | sounded like a lullabIy. Now he was held tighter. Kiss me, Johnny, boy" and the corporal groped for her face with his lips. As the batter of a shower passes so the voice ceased. Corporal Thomp- son still remained, obediently, bent over the pillow.
 The arm around his neck fell away,
 and somebody lifted him to his feet. You had better go outside" he heard. He blindly sought the door. On the porch a woman touched him on the shoulder and said:
 ''saul's the other side of tho bouse. ell wants to see you" Beneath the cherry tree, on a set tee, near the pump, the corporal found Saul Griggs.
 Now about Jchn.' requested the father. simply.
 And the soldier delivered a message that had never been entrusted to him "a message brimming with love for the father as well as for the mother with requests for forgiveness. and with many other things which the son had never uttered
 ''Oh, Lord, I thank Thee that in Thy own way Thou has reunited us," said the father; and he bowed his head on his arm extended along the back of the seat
 Corporal Thompson remained silent moment. Then he softly arose, and speaking to no one. deaf to all ques- tions by the curious he walked through the yard. down the cinder way and out into the road.