The Forrest City times., 1910-04-08
albot's Recovery
By RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
R0op!Hsht' lS19 by Associated Literary Press.)


 hall. went down the corridor and rang l for the elevator.
 The elevator boy stared at him in unbelief, whereupon Talbot chuckled delightedly. dropped an eyelid, and thrust hand into his pocket. A mo ment later bit of gold found it's way into the palm of the elevator boy
 You haven't seen me, of course Mike" he suggested. Do you get the idea?"
 Sure. I get It." Mike chuckled as the car stopped at the street floor and Talbot wabbled out of it toward the sunlit street.
 At the curb he summoned a hanson. climbed in and gave an address to the cabby Then the equipage rattled off and Talbot settled himself on the cushions with a long sigh of relief His little ruse had worked; he had made his escape from Jim's watchful eyes
 At the first corner they turned, he saw on the sidewalk Jim himself, hur rying along with huge bundle of magazines Talbot leaned far back in the hanson and chuckled again.
 Uptown they whisked through the mellow sunlight of the spring after noon and stopped finally before a cer. tain house. Talbot alighted. paid the cabby, gave him instructions to wait. and then mounted the steps and rang the bell
 few moments later Talbot, seated in big, dim library heard the swish of skirts and little stiaed cry He got unsteadily to his feet, just as girl came into the room.
 Ted" she was saying, alarm, re- proof, wonder all in her tones at once What does this mean? What are you doing here?"
 Barbara" he replied what day is this 2"
 What day is it? Why. it is the seventh of April. but"
 T told you three years ago today" said Talbot quietly. that on the seventh of every April I should come to you to renew my pleading. Just once every year I said I should come. and on the seventh of April. I al ways keep my word"
 But Ted you crazy boy. you have been i'll. They told me you wouldn't leave the house for another month yet"
 Did they indeed?" said he calmly Well, very probably shouldn't have done so, but you see, this very i'm portant date happened to arrive on schedule time. and SO"
 Where was Jim? How did you man age to bribe him?"
 T didn't bribe him." Talbot laughed There are no sins of corruption on my head I sent him out to get some magazines. and when he went well, sneaked seems to be the word best fitting my exit"
 Il shall telephone pr. Harper al once" she declared severely. T shall tell him that you have disobeyed or. ders; that you are here and"
 Are you going to tell him why?" Talbot suggested.
 The girls face reddened No. of course not" she said.
 Well, you might also inform him that so long as am here l intend to stay here until-well, until a certain matter that has been pending alto. gether too long. Is settled up either one way or other" said he. Barbara. I am going to ask that question once more, and I want a final answer"
 And you don't care what sort of an answer 1t Is, so long as it Is final?" she mocked.
 Don't I?" cried Talbot getting to his feet, with a suddenness that left him faint and giddy.
 The girl saw him swaying She ran to his side.
 Ted Ted. you foolish. foolish boy" she said, you are still very i'll and weak. and to think of your coming here to-day" You haven't given me the answer" he said. trying to keep his voice steady
 She pushed him gently back to his chair.
 "The answer?" she said softly Why, why If you must have 1t, if you must" } She turned away her eyes. "Oh, Ted. 1 didn't know until you ] were III and In danger. and" He caught her hand and drew her to him.
 Talbot was asleep on the couch The doctor. whom the nurse had hur- riedly summoned. was frowning in puzzled fashion.
 Crazy idiot" he snapped. going l out like that. By good rights it : should be the death of him. But some how he seems rather better for It." ; Yes, he certainly does seem bet ter" said the mystified nurse. An Of-Hand Archeologist.
 T wonder what these figures sig nify?" said the professor. Those. carved representations oi , fighting men" , Yes"