Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-27

V@ morning. He had fOrethought enough to make the attempt and influence enough to succeed in it to have the limited stopped at One Hundred and Twenty street, where he took a fast auto cab. for which he had telegraphed. and was rushed di- rectly to St Luke's hospital on Ca thedral heights. He paid the charge expressing his firm conviction that the price was half the value of the ma chine and seven times the value of the thief who drove it--and hurried into the hospital, where he gave his name and begged to be taken to his afflicted son at once.
 He was informed by the house sur geon that the patient was doing fairly well, though his temperature was still above normal. The physician thought. however. that the fathers presence might rouse the patients flagging spir- it's, but suggested that the first inter view be short A trim, fresh checked nurse was summoned and without fur ther ado she led the way to the eleva- tor. which took them to the fourth floor. At the door of his sons room the old rancher paused.
 "My dear he said. "are you the young lady who has nursed my poor boy through this spell of sickness?'
 Yes. sir" answered the brisk young ! ,,orco,, ;,, o tona con,ou hot moro choar- full than the gravity of the occasion seemed to warrant.
 "God bless you!' the anxious father murmured in voice choked by his emotion. ''Did-he-ask for me-of- ten?"
 The experienced young person hesi- tated, hanging for an instant between lncompromising truth and the wish to spare this kind old gentleman un- necessary pain. Womanlike. she de- cided upon charity rather than verac- ! ity.
 "Oh. yes." she answered nervOusly, though you know. of course, he-he i has been just-well. little delirious. fear. You must be careful not to excite him. to control your feelings. sir"
 The Texans great heart was touch cd. His boy had been shouting out his name. even while pain and fever held him in their raging grip. The father. l who could have faced battery of ar- 1 tllery in action without blanching, was greatly overcome by what he read i in the nurses halting words. He lean ed for support against the wall and i furtively brushed his eyes. then look ed up. striving to smile. and asked: l Was he conscious when my tele- gram arrived? Did he know? Was he l glad to hear that was coming:"
 Very" answered the adroit young ! woman. blushing to the roots of her chestnut hair. that peeped from under i q saucy little cap. She had made the first plunge and had no hesitation in 1 going the limit.
 The fathers heart went out at once to this dainty angel of mercy and eff. cIency who had ministered to grief and suffering. He fumbled in his pock. ct and produced large. double figured note. which he pressed into her hand. , "For you. my dear" he smiled. a i ribbon or something. There. there: it'a nothing"
 But. Mir Williams" she protested in charming confusion. this is not al all necessary. am paid. you know, by-reaIIy. I couldn't think of
 Honey" he interrupted. while hs gave her plump shoulder d fatherly pat. its just . little secret between you and me. Now run along. l want 10 see Dickie alone
 Again the nurse hesitated and. like her prototype fin the proverb. was lost It was best to be present at the inter view. yet how could she refuse so sim ple a request from this moist eyed generous old dear:
 Very we'll" she nodded; T will stand outside You promise to be very quietT'
 q promise" answered Bill Williams huskily Then he opened the door closed it after him and tiptoed softly across the room.
 ] The father fogsd himself in bare walled little room that was scrupu IOgsiy clean and neat. The shades wers drawn. yet by ae dim religious light he espied a t,zndage,l form appsrently asleep upon a HSrTow brass led The face Of tiBe pat.nt was in shadow ret the Texan felt instinctiveIy that ! ne had found his nartyred son at Isst For a moment hs could not speak HI ! emotions choked him. whIe two grez . tears rase uP and rolled unhee1e'
 d0wn his weather beaten cheeks. HI
 sank oa hts knees beside the besl ? shredded ozt his trembling arus sn. ] murmEre1 hrokezIv-
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