The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-05

that attached to Bill. said something disp.rasine
about Bill mind you; his ''pard'' that sick and
maybe dying.
Things went a queer wavering red before Ma
thans eyes II wasn't really he that grew tense
and sprang at Frankie and bore him to the ground.
1t was some other fat boy with murder in his
heart who beat and choked and rolled his victim
until some men pulled him away. But after that
Nathan treated with respect: he had re-estab-
hshed Bills standing.
True. a couple OF days later Frankie fell from
an awning pole and broke his leg. And this wor-
ried Nathan. Not on Frankos account: you bet
your life. But with the hckleness OF youth the
boys had Immediately transferred their hero
ship from Bill to Frankie. Common sense made
Nathan recognize that real accident with
bulance and hospital was more adventurous than
any sick spell no matter how you got it,
Still, that could all be settled later: and any.
got we'll. The old step the stairway became
again retreat for meditation. Mrs. Mutually
might reIent and let him Bill Anyway 1t
was good place to pray. Nathan had decided
that prayers might help some: SO he used to sit
there by the hour and run over all he could
member or invent.
Then came the discovery that he could keep in
even closer touch at night by going out the
fire escape and watching the light in MullaIiy's
nat, just across the narrow areaway. II got
by the shadows on the blind when Biii's mother
gave him medicine; and sometimes he fancied he
could hear Bill cough
It came to him one night that there . way
in which he could see Bill. The IRE escape oppo-
site extended to within three feet OF the he
was on. fellow could step across and 60 down
one flight and peep into Bills window. 1t was
slippery the rail- but Nathan stretched leg
over carefully and then-there was a raspins
scrape followed by peculiar roaring sensation
and dull jar, and then oblivion
When Nathan awoke it took him considerable
time realize how strange things were
First it was the peculiar odor that impressed him:
the kind of smell outside q dispensary. Then he
tried to raise his head cautiously and the sharp
wrapped in bandages. 1t startled him almost
to normal wakefulness. Something had happened!
YES. he remembered now He had sIinnsd last
night on the hre escape He must be In q hospi-
tai No; this was his room, all right. The blinds
were down, but he recognized the bed and the
furniture, and there hung the air rife that he and
Bll-t brought him to sudden remembrance
What is it. dear?" said the young In
white who had been sitting at the window. She
walked over and took his hand.
She was strange to Nathan. but he liked her
ana her face so sort ra
ing tn way she smoothed his hot hand He knew
Immediately she regular nurse; he'd
pictures OF them q drugstore sign.
wen fell last night" he began. and then
stopped, astonished at the weakness Of his voice.
BE careful" cautioned the nurse; 1T was six
days ago you FELL"
'.six days-six days." he sasped: "unt iss Bill
how Is he?"
in deirium and she understood.
BILL she said reassurinsly lis eonvalescent..
Obi"
The agony of terror in his voice indicated his
Misunderstanding.
II mean by that she explained quickly that
he is getting well Is sitting up. And in day or
OH"
1t was a revelation to her how the same word
revelation that only then he thought OF his in
ju-ies; how bad they were: when he would be
well.
Six weeks. she thought. before he would be MP
and then he would be weak and thin
Thin he said eagerly; really thin! To stay
.alvays so?"
Always, If you are active" she replied with .
comprehending smile And go to sleep.
You have talked too much for the FIRST time" she
playfulIy closed his eyelids.
Miss Nurse" he said suddenly, "iss fat'er unit
Aunt Elsa very mad? hat made much trou-
why no." she replied with a little catch in her
voice; they both very sorry But go to sleep -
He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes. For
perhaps five minutes he lay quiet. thinking. think
Ing. Then suddenly the nurse was startled by his
voice. for she thought he was asleep.
Miss Nurse. please Just yum more ting DID
fall far! More dan Reddy Frankor"
WELL 1 should say So" she declared with .
frank laugh. Three times a. fsr. All the boys
talking about IT..
He smiled TREMENDOUSLY and lay quite sim. He
ing from sheer happiness.
The standing by the bed when hs
awoke hours later.
You feel nne don't you dea<?" she said. well.
then. how would you Hike to see father"
Fine" he. said; II would like to nne. But he
must not be bot
open door. Then Of all things who should hurry
into the room but the father himself. Could II
be possible that this man who threw himself on
his knees beside the bed the inaccessible ia
Their he had always known-this man that buried
his face in the covers and shook all over? It hurt
EAthan's hand to be squeezed tight; but he
liked II. He felt almost like crying himself when
his father placed his lips to the hand and kissed
IT 1t amaxfng!
my boy: my boy" he sobbed IN Yiddish; "Go6
has punished that you love others better than
Never win / neglect You again. And YOU
vii try md live md 1--we yuon
Only half comprehending. Nathan patted the
bearded face and smiled
And alone to blame for this awful acct
dent" continued his father.
Awful accident." interrupted Nathan question
ingIy. His mind danced to Bflls recovery, to
Reddy Franko's eclipse to the oorpulent past gone
forever and then to the nne, new. loving father
he had found.
Awful accident?" he repeated Wy. fafer, e
gyaad. It got ND efryting"