The Carlisle independent., 1915-03-11
CHAPTER XxIlI,
Six Hundred Dead-And Onel

and her deep rooted love for her hus- band asserted itself in a thousand ways. There is no field like sick room to give scope to true woman's deyotion and strengthen ties that have become strained in the pursuits of the worldly. She spent nearly every walk hg moment at hs 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 skflful administering of morphia and the soothing influence of his wifes 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 persifage peryaded 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 ais hand in hers.
 "Bob." she said suddenly, "I haven't said word to you about-ebout what happened that night. I've just wanted you to forget it, dearest, and get strong and we'll like your old, good self. But know you are better now and that you'll be better still when tell you what I've planned-Dick and l. Mir. 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 f1ne?"
 She beamed down upon him with the love light in her eyes and as he looked his memory sped back six years to the 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? We'll 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- fef6d," she cried softly I've thought 1t over night after night here at your side and l just want to wipe the last year out of our lives and begin all over. We can; I know we can Can't we?'
 He drew her head down to his and kissed her. He could not bear to cast a shadow over the bright light of her optimism, but in his heart he knew that he could not share 1t. 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 gnawings 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 stupor of his weakness had acted as a mute. The stronger he grew the clearer the future seemed to him. He had sown and be must reap. But he smiled bravely now and patted his wife's hand.
 Wait till I'm up. Jane,' he said 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 for me, Bob. I will do anything in the world you want me to; anything that you do. Whatever comes it 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 1t, if 1t were 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 ob- sessed him he had regained physical boise that let him see things in 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 A-