The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-12-11
CHAPTER KIN.
six Hundred Dead-And onsl !

The days that followed Bob's col
lapse were the happiest he had known
for over q year. James tender nature
and her deep rooted love for her hus-
dband asserted itself In q thousand
ways. There is no field like q sick
room to give scope to true wOman's
devotion and strengthen ties that have
become strained in the pursuits Of the
worldly. She spent nearly every wax
ting moment at his bedside and the
nArse the physician had assigned
found her task an easy one.
Reynolds was by nature a physical
giant. He had narrowly escaped q
severe attack Of brain fever but
through the skilful administering Of
lmorphia and the soothing influence of
his wife's presence he rallied rapidly.
For nearly 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 persifiage pervaded the sick
room with an atmosphere OF cheerful
mess 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.
BOD. she said suddenly, I haven't
laid word to you about about what
happened that night. I've Just wanted
you 20 forget II dearest ana get
strong ana well IKE your Old good
sen But know you are better now
ana tnat youll De Detter sun Wnen l
tell you what I've planned-Dick and
7 Mr. Brands fixed everything at the
Dank ana as soon as you are able we're
going back to Staten Island and i've
warn DICK ana mis- mother In the Dunga-
low. Won't that be fine?"
sne Deamed down upon MIN with the
love ngnt In ner eyes ana as ne looked
ans memory sped Dack 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
little sadly and pressed her hand.
God bless you, my dear" was all he
SAID.
But, Bob" she cried. "aren't you
gaady Aren't you glad it's all over
ana that We can start again just like
we were? Wen never see the Brands
again Dearest, ! know I was wrong;
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
filled eyes.
"Oh, you don't know how I've suf-
Tered" she cried softly. "I've thought
1t 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. Can't
Wet"
He drew her head down to his and
kissed her. He could not bear to cast
shadow over the bright light OF her
optimism. but in his heart he knew
that ne 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
or 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 nad haunted him In his sleep.
whatsoever ye SOW That was the
text that nad pounded constantly at
tne uoor OF MS peIuddied brain. Only
tne StupOr OF MS weakness had acted
as q mule' Inc stronger ne grew the
clearer the Iuture seemed to him. He
MAO soWn ana ne must reap. But ne
smiled bravery now ana patted his
wires nano.
Wall TIL I'm up jane" ne said.
we VIII decide on something. Let US
nope tnat It VIII come out all right
at least, Tor YOU.
For me-, she exclaimed. Don't
nope Tor me- Bob VIII do anything
1n&he world You want me to; anything
that 6n WhOfARoF n0Yr700 with