Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-02-22
CHAPTER xxxII.-(contlnued.)

49, t.. + 545f
did. Christie; you bet ! did,
broke In the delighted doctor. every
nerve tingling. I'D a cleaned out
that whole gang If you'd only said
SO. but ! reckon now 1t was better to
let them tell all they knew 1t was
like a thunder storm clearing the at
mosphere."
oh. it was, indeed! Now know
who am-who | am! Isn't that sim
ply glorious? Sit down, Doctor Fair
balm. there in the big chair where
can see your face. want to talk, talk
talk; want to ask questions, a thou
sand questions; but it wouldn't do any
good to ask them of you, would it?
You don't know anything about my
family, do you"
Not very much, am afraid, only
that you have got an almighty pretty
half-stster." admitted the man, en-
phatically. "and old Waite possesses
the vilest temper ever given a hu-
man being He's no blood kin to you,
though /"
No. but he is awfully good under
meath. isn't he?"
Got heart of pure gold, old
Waite. Why, I've seen him cry like
baby over one. of his men that got
hurt"
Have you known him, then, for a
long while?"
Ever since the Spring of 81.
wasShgigaded with him all through the
war. and had to cut a bullet or SO
3 out of his hide before 1t ended. Ii
there was ever fight. Willis Waite
vas sure to get his share. He could
swear some then. but he's improved
since. and ! reckon now he could like
~ claim the championship"
.Did-did you know my mother
also?" and Christie leaned forward.
her eyes suddenly grown misty. Il
haven't even the slightest memory
of her"
The doctors heart was tender. ana
he was swift to respond, reaching
forth and grasping the hand nearest
him. He had made love before. vet
somehow this was different: he felt
half afraid Of this womans and 1t was
new sensation altogether, and not
unpleasant
Il saw hg often enough in those
days, but not since. She was frequent.
~ In camp. very sweet.faced wom-
an; you have her eyes and hair. as i
remember. Waite ought to have rec.
ognized you at first sight. By Iieay,
ems! that was what made me SO in
fernally mad, the mulish obstinacy OF
the old fool. Your mother used to
4 come to the hospital tent, too; one
. OF the best nurses | ever saw.
thought she was beauty then, but
she's some older by this time" he
paused regretfully. You see, I'm no
spring chicken. myself"
Her eyes were upon his face,
slight flush showing In either cheek.
and she made no effort to withdraw
J her imprisoned hand
You are just nice age" with firm
conviction. Boys are tiresome, and
~ think . little gray in the hair Is an
improvement Oh, you mustn't i'm
agine say this just to please you--l
have always thought so, since wen,
since grew up. Besides. fieshy men
generally look young. because they
ara SO s0oQ nAtureQ, perhaps. HOW
old are you, Doctor?"
1T isn't the gray hairs mind, eth
er.n he admitted hesitatingly. but I'm
too darned bald-headed oh. / amt
so old. FOR was only thirty-fivs when
the war broke out was so thin
then ] could hardly cast shadow.
I've changed some since. casting his
eyes admiringly downward. "and got
quite . figure. was forty-three last
month"
That isn't old: that's Just right
I've been afraid you looked on me
Is being an old togy =
should say not. indignantly.
why should you ever think that!''
Wen. there were 50 many young
tallnws HANGING about.