Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-12-24
CHAPTER XIII.
Six Hundred Dead-And onel

and her deep rooted love for her hus
band asserted itself In q thousand
ways. There Is no field like q sick
room TO give scope to true woman'f
devotion and strengthen ties that have
become strained in the pursuits Of the
worldly. She spent nearly every wax
ing moment at his bedside and the
nurse tho 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 tho skilful administering of
morphia 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 tho causes Of the collapse.
Dick called two OF. three times and his
merry persifage pervaded the sick
room with an atmosphere OF cheerful
ness az IL had in doubtful days at the
bungalow.
One day when the patient seemed
stronger than usual Jane was seated
at the bedside with his hand in hers.
Bob" she said suddenly, Il haven't
said word to you about-about what
happened that night. Eye Just wanted
you to forget II. dearest. and get
strong and we'll like your old, good
self. But know you are better now
and that you1l be better still when
tell you what I've planned-Dick and
l. Mr.. Brands fixed everything at the
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 flne?"
She beamed down upon him with the
love 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 were? Wen never see the Brands
again. Dearest, ! know ! was wrong:
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
filed eyes
"0h, you don't know how I've suf-
fered," 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
WEI"
He drew her head down to his and
kissed her. lie could not bear to cast
II 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. or course he
had. There was nothing else for him
TO do from tho mere standpoint OF his
own protection. But that did not re-
move the blight or case 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 We 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 braveiy now and patted his
wifes hand.
wait till I'm up, Jane" he said.
I'VE 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 for me, Bob. will do anything
in 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 reason 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 doorbell
had sounded loud and vibrant like
some clarion alarm that bespoke the
hour when he must pay. He wondered
when he heard II, II 1t 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 stronger
now and though he felt no relief from
the melancholy depression that OBJ
sessed him no had regained physical
noise that let him see things in their
true light. Jane talked again OF her
plans and he let her rehearse them