Middletown transcript., 1914-12-19
CHAPTER XIII.
elk Hundred Dead-And onei

ways. There tE no field like SICK
room to give scope to true woman's
devotion and strengthen ties that have
become strained in the pursuits of the
worldly. Che spent nearly every wax
Ang moment at his bedside and the
nurse the physician had assigned
found her task an easy one.
Reynolds was by nature a physical
giant. He had narrowly escaped a
severe attack of brain fever, but
Through the skilful administering Of
morphia and the soothing influence Of
mis- wife's presence he rallied rapidly.
For nearly a week after the night he
had succumbed neither made any ref
erence to the causes Of the collapse.
Dick called two or three times and his
merry persihage pervaded the sick
room with an atmosphere Of cheerful
ness as it had in doubtful days at the
bungalow.
One day when the patient seemed
stronger than usual Jane was seated
at the bedside with mis- hand in hers.
'Bob." she said suddenly, 'I haven't
said q word to you about-about what
happened that night. I've Just wanted
you to forget it, dearest. and get
strong and well like your old, good
self But know you are better now
and that youn be better still when
tell you what I've planned-Dick and
l. Mr.. Brands fixed everything at 'he
bank and as soon as you are able we're
going back to Staten Island and live
with Dick and his mother in the bunGa-
low. Won't that be fne?"
She beamed down upon him with the
8ove light in her eyes and as he looked
his memory sped back six years to the
time when she had looked at him that
way and together they had talked,
planned Of the future home. He smiled
a little sadly and pressed her hand.
God bless you, my DEAR" was all he
said.
But, Bob" she cried, aren't you
glad? Aren't you glad it's all over
and that we can start again Just like
we we're? Well never see the Brands
again. Dearest, l know was wrong;
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
Mlled eyes.
''0h, you don't know how I've suf-
3ered," she cried softly. i've thought
It over night after night here at your
side and Just want to wipe the last
year out Of our lives and begin all
over. We can; know we can. Cant
we?"
He drew her head down to his and
kissed her. He could not bear to cast
q shadow over the bright light Of her
optimism, but in his heart he knew
that he could not share It. Brand had
settled, with the bank. OF course he
had. There was nothing else for him
to do from the mere standpoint Of his
own protection. But that did not re-
move the blight or ease the cravings
Of conscience that had racked him in
all the hours of his convelescence
He could not obliterate the deeds Of
the year past nor did he feel that he
was immune to the penalties. He had
been keenly aware of them In his
waking hours, as before, and again
they had haunted him in his sleep.
Whatsoever ye SOW" That was the
text that had pounded constantly at
the door of his befuddled brain. Only
the etupor of his weakness had acted
as a mute. The stronger he grew the
clearer the future seemed to him. He
had sown and he must reap. But he
smiled bravely now and patted his
wife's hand.
wait till I'm up. Jane" he said.
1--WE will decide on something. Let US
hope that it will come out all right
at least, for you"
For me-" she exclaimed. Don't
hope Tor me. Bob. win do anything
fn the world you want me to; anything
that you do. Whatever comes 1t will
come to US alike"
He closed his eyes and sank back
on the pillow. He was not strong
enough to answer her or to reas on for
himself just what the future held for
him. He knew only that he was tired
and that there was no rest, He had
struggled for days that way against
some strange, haunting fear that would
not down. The ringing of the doorbeIl
had sounded loud and vibrant like
some clarion alarm that bespoke the
hour when he must pay. He wondered
when he heard it, II it we're some mes
senger from the bank-or worse-for
twice in his sleep had come again that
terrible dream Of the bursting dam.
Jane saw that he was exhausted.
The morphia brought these spells of
inertia and collapse. She kissed him
softly and slipped out of the room.
The following day Reynolds was
able to get up and the next he went
downstairs. He was much strbnger
now and though he felt no relief from
the melancholy depression that OBJ
sessed him he had regained a physical
poise that let him see things III their
true light. Jane talked again of her
plans and he let her rehearse them
without challenge. He could find no
plausible fault with them. If Brand
had paid the overdraft he was freed |
from Imminent danger and there was
nothing for him to do but realize |
such money as be could oD the house
and go back TO Staten Island or take |
Jane and go away. He had not de-
cided definitely on that. They we're
expecting Dick that afternoon and he
intended TO talk It over with them.
The vital spark Of ambition had
burned itself livery low for Reynolds
Re was n Y ct lansuid state Of both |
body and mitd thar acoompanies con.
valescence. thef the racovery be
evnv~ -s..--s,.,I - ..s,.s 81 ~ II 1 e, =,