Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-25
CHAPTER XXxIV.
The Hut Changes Its Name.


That night Oswald was taken very
i'll. For three days his life. hung In
the balance, then youth and healthy
living triumphed over shock and be-
reavement, and he came slowly back
TO his sad and crippled existence.
He had been conscious for a week
or more of his surroundings, and OF
his bitter sorrows as well, when one
morning he asked Doris whose face
it was he had seen bending over him
so often during the last week: Have
you new doctor? A man with white
hair and a comforting smile?' Or have
| drGamed this face? / have had so
many fancies this might easily be one
OF them"
NO, it is not a fancy" was the
quiet reply. Nor is it the face of
a doctor. 1t is that of a friend. One
whose heart is bound up in your re-
covery; one for whom you must live,
/ Mr.. Brothrson."
81 don't know him, Doris. It's a
/ strange face to me. And yet, it's not
altogether strange. Who is this man
and why should he care for me SO
! deeplv?"
4 Because you share one love and
one grief. 1t is Edith's father whom
you see at your bedside. He has
helped to nurse you ever since you
came down this second time"
"Edith's father! Doris. it cannot
be. Edith's father!"
Yes, Mr. ChalIcner has been in
Derby for the last two weeks. He has
only one interest now; to see you
well again"
Why"
Doris caught the note of pain, If not
suspicion. in this query, and smiled
as she asked in turn:
Shall he answer that question
himself? He is waiting to come in.
Not to talk. You need not fear his
talking. He's as quiet as any man
ever saw"
The sick man closed his eyes. and
Doris watching, saw the flush rise to
his emaciated cheek, then slowly
fade away again to a pallor that
frightened her Had she injured
where she would heal? Had she
pressed too suddenly and too hard
on the ever gaping wound in her in
vslid's breast? She gasped in terror
at the thought, then she family smiled
for his eyes had opened again anC
showed a calm determination as hs
said:
Il should like to see him. l should
like him to answer the question hav,
just put you / should rest easie
and get we'll faster-or not get vel
at all"
This latter he half whispered, ant
Doris, tripping from the room may no
have heard II. for her face showed n,
further shadow as she ushered II
Mr.. Challoner. and closed the doc
behind him. She had looked forwar,
to this moment fer days. To Oswald
however. It was an unexpected e1
element and his voice trembled wit
something more than physical weak
ness as he greeted his visitor an
thanked him for his attentions.
Doris says that you have show
me this kindness from the desire 20
have 10 see ne well again, Mr.. Cha
Toner Is this true?"
Very true. / cannot emphasiz
the fact too strongly"
oswald's eyes met his again, tn!
time with great earnestnsss.
You must have serious reasons 70
/ feeling so-reasons which | do nc
quite understand. May ask why 70
place such value upon a life which
II ever useful to itself or others, ha
lost aud lost forever, the one deIigf
which gave IL meaning"
II was for Mr.. Chalioner's voice {
tremble now. as reaching out hi
hand, he declared. with unmistaka bl
feeling.
Il have no son / have no intere!
IN life, outside this room and the DO
! sibilities it contains for me- You