The Washington times., 1909-05-09

house, and you, Mr.. Black-for we are
without an adviser, you knOw-and-
and you're such an old friend I know
you will help US. And-turning to
Jim uuestfoningiy-'I seem to know
your face. but
At the word "face" the girl for the
first time noticed the re-opened cut
on the boys forehead, and with the
sight of It the tears came quickly to
her eyes.
oh" she cried, "I remember now.
You're hurt"
without a moments hesitation she
disappeared down the hall through the
doorway whence she had come, while
Mrs. Graham. Black. and Alton fled
slowly into a large, old-fashioned roOEI
adjoining the hall. But once within,
the woman's energy again asserted it
self, and she spoke as though echoing
thought which had come to her in
spired by something unknown.
Perhaps, Mr.. Black, after all you
would better wait outside nearby, there
on the porch. in case-in case"
MY name is James Alton" inter
rlpted Jim, and" with an intonatiOn
which none could mistake, Il assure
you that there will be no need Of Mr
Blacks help. Mrs. Graham. think
] perhaps I appreciate the situation bet
ter than you realize. You saw me last
evening in the Grand Central Station.
just as Mrs. Gordon"
Eyes. yes, remember now-the inter-
esting-''
Black again took hand.
"The bag he came to return
For the first time since that article
had been reclaimed from the svarthy
man IN the car, the bag was no longer
pressed close to Jim's body, and with
horrible fear that something had
again happened to #, he darted out Of
the door and on to the porch. where, In
the great wonder which had come with
the presence Of Grace Gordon, he had
dropped it.
But it was there safe enough. and
Jim was back once more In the vain
scoted library with the thing in his
hands.
"she dropped this last night" he
said, ''and 1 found it. I came to bring
II back. was on the same train com
ing here"
Mrs Graham took the bag.
seThank YOU" she said, as though the
other had merely rescued her handker-
chief from the floor, but there Is a
far more important matter TO speak Of
There was the faint sound OF the clos
] ing Of a door, and she again turned
to Black:
please wait on the porch; III can If
I need you"
Hesitating, but with the decision to
bow to circumstances which had won
him many political battles, the tall man
left the room, as Grace, apparently not
noticing his presence, came in. carrying
bandages and a large bottle Of some
colorless liquid.
Come. JIM" she said, gently, '1ie
down while bathe your cut And tell
me how you got it, dear"
The man cast an inquiring look in the
direction OF the elder woman, and at
her nod OF acquiescence moved to a
/ large couch, almost apologetically
| stretched his ragged form upon it and
then raised his eyes TO the fairest vision
his poor life had ever known.
The girl was there over him. anxiety
and sympathy all that he could see. AS
she bathed his head ner words came
low.
'T don't want 10 talk about it If it
| troubles you, dear" she said, but tell
mel can't wait-teH me my baby-is
safe. I've had such terrible dreams"
/ Perhaps that unknown something had
brought understanding to him, for with
out hesitation, Jim answered as gently
| as her breath had come:
| ''Yes-yeE-safe."
| And"
To the rescue once more came the sad.
| faced elderly woman.
| Listen, Grace" she said, "Jim has
been through a terrible time-and-and
! his memory is just a httle-weak. Let
/ me speak TO him, dearie-"
| Then she turned TO the man lying on
l the couch, and the appeal 20 his heart
| which her look bore was answered by
the expression of a longing to help
| pictured IN his eyes
"You see, JIM" she began, "Grace