The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-11-09

now and again gulls would sweep on
flashing, motionless pinions.
His eyeballs seems to move re-
luctantly in their sockets, and his
head felt very light and empty, al
though so heavy that he could not lift
it from the pillow But he managed
to Shift his gaze from the window
until 1t rested upon mans face-a
guant, impressive brown face illum-
mated by steady and thoughtful eyes,
filled with that mystic, unshakable
spirit Of fatalism that is the Genius
of the eastern peoples. The head it
self stood out with almost startling
distinctness against the background OF
pure white. 1t was swathed with an
immaculate white turban.
The sick man felt that he recog-
nized this countenance-had known it.,
rather. in some vague, half-remember-
| ed life before his latest death. The
name He felt his lips move
and that they were thin and glazed
Moistening them with his tongue he
made another attempt to articulate A
thin whisper passed them in two
breaths: Ram Nath :"
Hearing this, the dark man started
out of his abstraction, cast a swift,
| pitiful glance at the sick mans face,
and came to hold a tumbler to his
lips, The liquid, colorless, acrid and
pungent, slipped into his mouth, and
| he had to swallow whether he would
or no. When the final drop disap-
peared, Ram Nath put down the glass,
smiled, laid finger on his lips, and
went on tiptoe from the stateroom.
After awhile the man without an
identity fell asleep. calmly. restfully,
| in absolute peace. When again he
awakened it was with the knowledge
that he was David Amber, and that a
woman sat beside him.
| Sophia
His voice sounded in his own hear,
ing very thin and brittle. The girl
turned her gaze upon him swiftly, tbs
soft smile deepening. the dream-light
in her eyes burning brighter and more
| steady. She bent forward, placing over
his wasted hand a hand firm and
warm, strong yet gentle, its white
ness enhanced by the suggested ira
| Gerry of blue veins beneath the silken
skin, and by the rosy tips OF her slen
/ der, subtle fingers.
David she said.
| He sighed and remembered. His
brows knitted, then smoothed them.
| selves out; for with memory came the
realization that, since he was there
and she by his side, God was surely in
his heaven, all we'll with the world.
How long Sophia?"
Five days, David"
| Where q. p"
'At sea, David, on a Messageries
boat for Marseilles. Dear :"
He closed his eyes in beatifc con-
tent: David Dear :"
Can you LISTEN"
( Yes sweetheart"
Her voice faltered; she flushed
adorably. You mustn't talk. But I'll
/ tell you. They refused to let
us go back to Kuttarpur; an escort
took US across the desert to MOL, you
in q litter, l on horseback. There we
took train to Haidarabad and Ka.
rachi. Ram Nath came with US, az
bearer, 1t being necessary that he too
! should leave India. My father and
your man Doggott Joined us at Ka,
rachi, where this steamer touched the
! second day"
You understand, now"
Everything, dearest"
"Labertouche-?"
He told me nothing. haven't
seen him since that morning, when,
just after you were wounded we
started for Nok He posted off to
Kuttarpur to find my father
No; it was you who told me-eyery.
thing-in your delirium."
And you forgive-?"
Forgive"
He smiled family. That photo
graph"
81 had It ready to return to you
that morning, David"
! Knowing what it meant to me-"
Knowing what It meant to me-
what 1t meant to both OF US. David"
so you weren't offended. that
night"
Il loved you even then, David. l
think l must have loved you from that
first day at Nokomis. Do you remem'
Der ?"
His eyes widened. perple1ed, star
ing into her grave, dear eyes. Then
why did you pretend-?"
With the low, caressing laugh Of a
happy child, the girl knelt by the side
OF his berth, and laid her cheek
against his own oh. David, my Da-
vid! When do you expect to under
stand the heart Of a woman. dear
| heart Of mine?"
CTO BE CONTINUED)
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