Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24


Sir. he said h,lskilv its Jeff.
The Generals right hand CROPPED fccbly
along the covers. and left took it in both Of
his own.
"Cort told me YOU wanted me, Sir.
"I'm glad-very glad" He turned his
head and tried to smile. at was 500
sudden the news" he said with an effort.
"To find out
I'm sorry. Sir: | didn't want you to
know.
I'm glad to know. 1t makes nc happy.
I've been trying tor 50 many wears to find
YOU.
"You tried" in astonishmcnt.
"Yes. | didn't know anything about
about having a son. until it too late
One of my associates in the West told me
later | tried to find out where they had
taken YOU; but the nurse in the hospital had
gone and there was no record OF her or Of
of YOU" He spoke with great effort striving
against the droWsness that from time to time
attacked him. "'rhev did things differently
in those DAYS She-vour mothcr-ncvcr
mentioned my name: we had had a quarrel
"a serious quarrel-just after we were
married.
"Married" Jeff leaned forward over the
white coverlid toward the old mans dis
torted face, You were married." he whis-
pered, awestricken.
ayes. married. Jeff-married. II have
the papers at home III show them to you.
Jeff bent his head suddenly over the old
mans lean fingers and kissed them impul
sivelv. Married" he murmured. "1hank
God. Thank God for that"
The Generals eyes followed him plain
lively, while he struggled for breath. ayes,
it's true; in Topeka Kansas. That's what
| wanted to tell YOU | couldn't go-I
couldn't die without letting YOU know that.
1t didn't matter to her: she could forget.
did her a wrong; but not so great wrong as
| did YOU. I've thought about YOU all these
years Jeff. It's my secret. I've kept it
long time"
He sank back into his pillows exhausted,
breathing heavily again and the doctor who
had stood in the doorway came forward.
al think YOU'D better rest, General. Mr..
Wrav can come IN later.
But the General resolutely waved him
aside with gesture that suggested his Old
authority NO, not vet. I'm better-I'l
sleep again in a moment and as the doctor
withdrew the old mans grasp on Jeff hand
grew tighter. "Thev took you away from
the hospital, without even giving your name. '
Eyes, Sir: | had no name but the one
they gave me-" Jeff tried to make him
stop talking; but he went on. striving des-
peIdlelN
Il had men working to try and find YOU
I've their reports at home-you shall sec
them. | want YOU to know that | did all
could. We got the name of the nurse.
AIRS. Nixon
Il think No" he said confusedly, Il
can't remember disappeared
ayes, Sir. she married again and went to
Texas She took me with her
Bent's eyes searched Jeff's piteously.
"That was it. he whispered. "that was it.
That's my excuse-I tried You know |
tried. don't youo 1t has been my burden for
years,-more even lately than when was
Younger the wrong had doneyou. Say that
YOU understand. won't YOU, my-rny son.
The tears had come into Jeff's eyes, welled
forth like the gush Of water in a dry foun-
tain. and fell upon the old wrinkled fingers.
al do. Sir do
The Generals hand left the coverlid and
rested for a moment on Jeffs shoulder. al
hoped YOU would I've always hoped you'd
forgive me when YOU knew
Jeff Strengthened and brushed his eyes.
"1here's nothing to forgive. Il only want
you to get well: You will, Sir. They say
you're better"
"Yes. Jeff. better-bettcr already; but
I'm very tired. | think think can