The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-02-20

speak to him. but there was an un'
canny silence in the room which no
did not dare disturb. Something had
gone wrong with the lights. too, for
all had gone out except tiny globe
in one corner, which burned with
strange sputtering sound that seemed
to keep time with the beating or hls
heart And all this sacrifice was vain.
for he was selling his soul-selltng his
right to reparation for five hundred
dollars He must stop the operation
and make new bargain. He found
his voice at last and shouted. but tho
light was roaring like dynamo ana
the sound drowned his cries. He
wrenched his arm away and
"IIOw are you feeling?" asked the
nurse
He opened his eyes lie was back
in his bed and the daylight was
streaming in through the open window
near his head. He looked at her, a.
tonished uncertain.
"You tainted" she explained. "Peo-
pie generally do But you'll be all
right in a little while It's only ten
minutes since they brought you back"
''But the operation--?"
"Perfectly successful"
II ddnt-do anything7 Didn't I
shout or strugele?"
fy,, oil
"Nurse" he said presently, do you
do YOU think she would see me be-
fore she goes?"
"Whyo" asked the nurse bluntly.
"That's never allowed Mr.. Hartrtdge.
She wasn't allowed to see you on the
table--they threw a blanket over you.
II you'll think q little you'll under.
stand that that's the only thing pos
sible."
"But II she wanted to-" be falt
cred.
"Well, Of course. in that case sup
pose she could But why do you want
to see herr"
Because" said Hartridge slowly.
II want to thank her for doing some
thing that she never dreamed OF.
She looks on me. no doubt. as you all
do-as = convenience. as q poor man
who has sold something which he pos.
sessed for money. There can be no
thought Of obligations on either side.
Of course. But I'm not going to take
the money. I'm a jail-bird. I've just
come out OF the penitentiary where ]
served a years sentence for forgery.
She has given me back my self.re-
spect feel that I've done some
good In the world at last can't very
we'll explain It. but want to thank
her Won't you tell her at least?"
The nurse was looking at him very
strangely "Yes. I'll tell her." he
heard her say and he resigned him.
self to the feeling Of intense weari-
ness that was creeping over him.
Two days passed. IIartridge made
no further reference to the fulfilment
Of his request. lie did tell DIR. Briggs
that he would not accept the money.
There's rcntleman coming to see
y / this morning" the nurse an.
taunccd triumuhanilv that day.
"A gentleman" repeated IIartridge
with n puzzled frown Il don't know
anyone It must be mistake. What
is his name?"
But the nurse would not tell Hart
fige his name. AZ twelve o'clock,
lowever. the ward doors We're thrown
cpen to the stream of visitors who
cane to see the patients Hartridge.
who had boon doing, heard his nams
spokcn and looked M. A man with
very we'll remembered features was
standing by his bed.
"Mr. IIartridcp-my dear fellow"
he began. somewhat ncrvously
"Mr. Cummng." gasped the man in
tho bed and bowed his head miscr.
ably
Tho bank president sat down be-
eide him and placed one hand on his
shoulder
Il want to tell YOU" he said. "that
Dr Briggs has spoken with me about
you and made clear some things that
did not understand last year. II
had realized your circumstances I
might have been less harsh in exact.
ing justice. None of US can afford to
exact that to the uttermost. They
fnll me you have refused compensa.
'ion for your brave sacrifice. Hart
iidge, we are starting a branch bank
It Clifton. I want you to go there as
assistant cashier. Nobody will know
# your past. That is all atoned for.
You will go with our complete conf
dence-and at salary adequate to
support yourself and your wife com.
for'ably"
MY wife?" said Hartridge bitterly.
Perhaps you don't know that"
Here's somebody come to see you
and thank you for your-for her life,"
said the nurse. coming up softly. Hart
ridge glanced up A woman came
swiftly toward his bed and sank down
beside him. She flung her arms round
his neck and drew down his head to
her breast and her tears. falling on
him. washed his soul clean at last
from all ita hitter ynovnnr3>.