Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-05-29
CHAPTER XXI.

II" IN New 1ork on saturday
morning He had forethought
enough TO make the attempt
and influence enough TO succeed In 1t
to have the limited stopped at One
Hundred and Twenty fifth street. where
he took 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 tagging spir-
its, 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
person In n tone somewhat more cheer
full than the gravity OF the occasion
seemed to warrant
God bless your the anxious father
murmured In a voice choked by his
emotion. "Did-he-ask for me-of-
tenT"
The experienced young person hesi-
tated, hanging for an instant between
rncompromlsing truth and the wish
to spare this kind old gentleman un-
necessary pain. Womanllke. she de-
cided upon charity rather than verac-
ity.
"Oh, yes" she answered nervously.
though you know. OF course. he-he
has been Just-well. a 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 rigging grip. The father,
who could have faced a battery OF ar
tillery In action without blanching
was greatly overcome by what he read
In the nurses halting words. He lean
ed for support against the wall and
furtively brushed his eyes. then look
ed up. striving to smile. and asked:
was he conscious when my tele-
gram arriyedf Did he know7 Was he
glad 10 hear that was comingT
Very" answered the adroit young
woman, blushing TO the roots OF her
hair. that peeped from under
a saucy little cap. She had made the
first plunge and had no hesitation In
going the limit.
The fathers heart went out at once
to this dainty angel Of mercy and efi-
cheney who had ministered TO grief
and suffering. He fumbled In his pock
et aud produced large. double figured
note, which he pressed into her hand.
For you, my dear" he smiled. "a
ribbon or something. There. there; it's
nothing"
But Mr. Williams" she protested
In charming confusion. this is not ut
~ necessary, am paid, you know,
10y really, couldn't think Of
Honey" he interrupted. while he
gave her plump shoulder fatherly
pat ITS just little secret between
YOU ana me, Now run along | want
10 see Dickle alone"
Again the nurse hesltated and. like
her prototype IN the provcrb. was lost.
II was best 10 be- present at the inter
view. yet how could she refuse so sim.
pie request from this moist eyed.
old dear?
Very we'll" she nodded Il will
stand outside You promise TO be very
lulct2"
u PROMISE" answered BIN Williams
luskily Then ne opened the door,
llNHAA II hlNNl hltl hhN llNhNN NoLlA
across the room.
The father found himself In q bare
walled little room that was Scrupu-
ousIy clean aud neat The shades were
drawn, yet ny the dim religious light
he cSpled handugcd form apparently
,slcep upon a narrow brass bed The
'sce OF the patient was IN shadow.
yet the Texan felt inStinctivcly that
be had found his mOrtyred sou &C last.
For moment he could not speak His
cho6cd him, while two great
tears rose up and rolled uuhecdei
down his weather beaten cheeks. lie
sank ON his knees beside the bed.
stretched out his trembling arms and
murmured bro6eu.y.
My boy, My boy"
The Earl ot CroyWnd rolled over ON
lls back and stared at tnc ~ohUrs ap
partition la wonder struck amaze m
iroppng into "a dorc Dec had forgotten
.o r,,noNN his t,ounsf. ,,r..H. i., .....,... .