Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-29

condition was blurted out TO her by Mr..
Early's brother. who came rushing into
| tanning an account of the discovery.
copied from a Washington paper.
II could hardly believe it. The whole
thing was so sudden. For while did
not take it in at all
Later she received, communications
from Washington which confirmed the
newspaper account. Even then she hard
ly realized the fact that 1t was her hus-
band.
She appreciates everything that has
been done for her and Mr.. Early in
Washington. and said SO.
II am so thankful that this has hap
pened in Washington. People have been
so kind and so consderate OF my husba nd
learned that other cases have been treat
ed by communities in almost barbarous
fashion. But God has certainly been good
to use here
That was about all she would say.
The Salvation Army people told Star
reporter that she has said but little to
them.
After returning from her husband last
ing at the side of her bed. remained I'm
silent prayer for a long time. She is a
deeply religious woman and Is calling
upon all OF her faith to help her over
this present period of trial.
Last night it was nearly dark and the
lowlands along the sluggish Anacostia
rivers were shrouded in a mist that shut
out entirely from the view of John r.
Early, the Districts leper, the outline OF
the hills to the east.
! tent. taking his farewell Of the day, when
the tired guard got up from his chair
under a nearby tree and approached to
the dead line.
Mr.. Early he said.
Yes, what is it?' The voice was not
bitter, but kindly
Il have been waiting until you came
out
You want to speak to me about some
thi9s:: aYs:.:,
Well. here am. I have nothing TO
do but talk and read. you know. l am
especially glad OF chance to talk"
''Mr Early. your wife is here. The
doctor just telephoned. He will bring her
out in his auto In about an hour
My wife: My-Oh. thank you very
much l shall be ready to see her"
Makes Toilet for Visit.
Without another word the leper went
into his tent. There was water in a
wooden bucket at the rear. He washed
his swollen face and hands. Then he
smoothed out his rumpled shirt and reach
ing into a box drew forth a collar and
necktie. which he carefully put on. Then
he combed his hair neatly, brushed his
trousers and coat and went outside. Plac-
ing q chair near the door Of his tent and
lantern beside it, he sat down and
| waited.
1t grew SO dark that without the aid
of his lantern he could not distinguish his
hand held at arms length from his eyes.
| There were no stars, and it was cold.
| But he did not go inside. Twenty feet
away the tired guard sat beside his
| lantern looking of into the night.
when did you say she was coming?
The guard locked up hurriedly.
| The doctor said in an hour he re-
Piled
| 1T has been longer than that already
Yes, 1t 10 nearly D.
Arrival Of Wife.
| A few minutes later a light was seen
bobbing down the road toward the river
It was an automobile that was humping
over the rough places in the road, pick
ing its way slowly. The leper stood up
A woman and a man alighted from the
machine and advanced toward the tent.
A frail little woman clad in a long coat
| hurried toward the tent. Only affection
was in her face. 1t is certain she would
| not have stopped until she reached the
| leper had not the big guard interfered.
But she hadn't heard. She was looking
at her husband. His hands were raised
before him. He was motioning her back.
It seemed almost as II he was saying:
"Unclean! Unclean!'
"Lottie, I am glad to see you-awfully
| glad-but do not come nearer"
The doctor placed chair under the
| tree The guard put a lantern on each
| side of the chair. Mrs. Early sat down.
Twenty-Five feet away sat the leper on
his chair. His lantern was in his hand.
The doctor took the guard by the arm.
Together they walked down the road a
| few PAGES and turned their backs.
| over terminated by the doctor. Mrs.
| Early was too nervous, he told her hus-
| band, to stand the strain any longer. Be
| sides II was very damp, and she might
catch cold.
John. goodbye
Goodbye, dear Don't worry about
me, mind you
| And 1t was over.
Wants to Care for Him.
This morning the leper told a Star re-
porter that he expected to see his wife
again today He did not know that she
| that the doctor had ordered her to rest
until tomorrow, when she might possibly
| be able to visit him again.
All the leper would say about the brief
| interview of last night was:
She wants to come and take care OF
me. She doesn't think about herself.
But Of course. 1t is impossible. j would
not think of it for a minute"
| G hesitated a moment, and then added
and her mother and the babies will come
and live in Washington. L would want
| them to. for j like 1t here
|