, 1906-03-14

AIMS old self returned, and
the scenes through which she
had passed became as I'M
real as the happenings of a dream, but
her sense of injury deepened into dis
like of Raymond and the life he rep
resented. Therefore she took care not
to see him as he was borne INTO Bar
nett's house. HE is nothing to me,
and | muse decline to be troubled by
him further she said as she was
dressing to go nut.
Mrs. Barnett, however, was waiting
and When the carriage in which he
lay came to the door FASTENED to take
his hand III both of hers and make him
welcome. Pm glad you came, Rob.
We are going to have you out in a few
days. How do you feel?"
In his weak state he could only boy
ishly say: "Oh, I'm on the up gradei
You and Don are mighty good to me-"
Thereafter Raymond abandoned him
self to the JOY of travelling back to life
along such ways of wanton luxury IS
he had never known. He permitted
himself to be waited upon, evea by
Mrs. Barnett, without protest, n
when Louis came stealing into the
room in awe and love his heart went
out to the boy as to Il brother.
"Hello, y%ounker.," he called. you
needn't walk so soft voiced. I'm worth
a dozen dead men yet"
The boys face shone. II thought
you were asleep. Can l do anything
for your
NO; only come and sit down and
Talk to me. What have you been do
ing since you came back to the
%Springs?"
Louis took a seat. Nothing of any
consequence, except to make some
drawings of the ranch. It's dull here.
l want to go into the mountains"
You're Il wonderful y%oungster.
Wait till I'm able to travel, and We'll
go up into the high country together"
Louis clapped his hands. won't
that be glorious? I'd rather do that
than anything else in the world"
How is your sister," asked Ray
mond, with abrupt change of tone.
she is we'll. She's always well.
We just came in from a drive. That's
the reason l wasn't here to help you.
Did it hurt you going upstairs?"
Not a bit. The boys handled me
as tenderly as a side O. pork. Let me
see your drawings, will your
The boys face glowed. well, you
just wait" And he rushed away to
get them.
Mrs. Barnett upon meeting Ann said,
with deep feeling: "Rob's illness has
transformed him. He said to me a
few moments ago: If you can find the
man who shot me, reward him. He
has done me a great service. l am
lost in Il dream of luxury He asked
after you with emotion and said he
would like to thank you for your serv-
ice to him."
Ann, listening intently, remained cold
~ impassive of face. Mrs. Scribbins
was the really efficient person. l have
u horror Of sick people, and as for
Wounds She shuddered for lack of
words.
Mrs. Barnett went on: 81 like to dc
for him, he's SO grateful and so ODE
dent. lie says just the right thing al
ways. There must be good breeding
back of the man, although he never
mentions his family. There's some love
affair TO account for his being here.
He's too handsome not to have had n
Engagements. Don't you think so?"
lie insisted not" replied Ann. "He
begged me to consider that his life had
been quite commonplace
Il don't believe it. He couldn't be
commonplace. lie said to me just now,
Sometimes a man must hear the wash
of the river of death TO realize how flu
tile he has allowed his life to become