Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-05-21


We'll. stranger said deep, reso-
nent voice. Il reckon you're awake
now?"
who are your was Joe's hurried
question.
There was a little pause before the
answer came. MY names Smith.
Why
Nothing, only l thought 1t sounded
--like-somebody used to know"
murmured Joe, sinking back upon his
pillow.
II wonder If you wouldn't like me TO
help you outer those clothes you got on
and get you into bed in decent wayg"
went on the voice. and when Joe CRATE
| fully assented the owner Of the voice
| helped him with a woman's tenderness
| to undress and clothed him In clean
underwear and clean coarse night
| shirt.
I'm nightly obliged to you, stran-
| ger" murmured Joe drowsily as he
sank on his pillow after swallowing
| cup of hot broth.
You're welcome" said the other
solemnly, and, tiptoeing out, he closed
the door.
Joe did not awake again until the
next morning. He knew that the win
dows were wide open, for he breathed
the fresh, sweet air, and he could hear
the song of birds. His eyelids felt
very stiff and sore, and he was CRATE
| full for the bandage that covered them.
Mr.. Smith came in presently and,
after pleasant greeting to the in
| jured man, bathed his face and hands
and brought some breakfast to him.
Joe bit into a hot corn muffin, and
his hand fell upon the counterpart.
He turned his blindfolded eyes toward
the stranger.
"who made these mufins?" he ask.
ed in choking voice.
There was q hesitating silence be-
fore Mr.. Smith replied. Then, MY
daughter made them" he replied.
"Your daughterl NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
me-" stumbled Joe, "but they are like
those my wife makes, and never tast-
ed any others like 'emw He hastily
resumed his breakfast, and the portion
of his face below the bandage glowed
redly.
Mr.. Smith said nothing.
When the doctor appeared he de
clared that Joe had little fever, and
he changed his medicine. Once more
Joe heard three voices In consulta
ton in the next room. He could now
recognize Smiths voice and that OF
the doctor, but the third one was that
of woman, pitched low and soft, and
eluded his searching mind.
Where have | heard that voice be
foreY he asked himself again and
again as the days passed by, but the
answer did not come-then.
During those long days and nights
Of pain and helplessness Joe Pebble
had leisure to think over what he hat
done, and he resolved that when hi
recovered that he would go nortl
again and endeavor to become recon
ciled to his wife and her father.
The thought of this coming journey
did much to hasten his recovery.
On the evening OF this particular
day-a Sunday 1t was-he lay there
alone in the room. Presently Smitf
came In and talked to him. They
talked on various matters, and finally
Joe told him about his former life IT
Wyoming and ended by confiding hi
sin to the old man. He told 1t all-oi
his wild longing for freedom, how h
had fought it for days before makini
up his mind to leave his wife ant
how, after the irrevocable step hat
been taken, OF the remorse he hat
suffered.
81 think of them two helpless one
day and night" he groaned. "Wha
has become of them7 A coyot'
wouldn't have acted meaner'n ! did
Don't God ever give folks chance t
make good when they've sinnedY'
The elder man did not answer for
long time Then he arose and ben
over the bed for brief instant.
believe he does son; believe he will,
he said solemnIy, and Joe heard hin
: pass from the room and close the dooi
From the room overhead he hear
: the murmur of voices long into th
night. They we're talking when h
fell asleep, and once he started wild
awake because he thought he heard
woman's sobs Don't cry, Gertie; ey
erything Is all right" he murmure
drowsily and went 10 sleep again.
The next day the doctor came an
? removed the bandage.
After the doctor had gone Joe wait
ed impatiently for Mr.. Smith to com
. in. He was eager to see the face o
! the man who had been so kind TO hin
All at once a bulky form filed tn
= doorway, and Mr.. Smiths slow, DELFT
: crate step approached the bed. In tn
dim light Joe's eager eyes did not q
first recognize him; then he sat Dol
!, upright in bed and stared with whiter
= ing face into the kind, forgiving eye
of-his father-in-law.
Father he murmured brokenly an
hid his face in his hands.
"Son" said the older man solemnil
:, and he laid his hand upon Joe's dar
= hair in the old familiar caress, 70
the two had been very fond Of eac
other.
ut has been you all alongT" aske
Joe after awhile.
= YES" said the other. And in fe'
! words he told the repentant man ths
. after his desertion Gertrude and b
4 had left Wyoming and come down ini
!, Texas to start anew. The old ma
had a little money. with which B
q bought the ranch. They had never e.
4 pected to see Joe again. When the
recognized him in the injured strange
whom Starbrow had led them to the
II had hastily assumed the name
r. Smith for the time being.