The Delta independent., 1915-01-08

It'll be hard blow for Mary" one
Of the crowd was saying. Poor JIM"
Driscoll recognized him as the local
druggist, with whom he had been on
bad terms for years. He clenched his
lists. He hated the mans hypocrisy
even more than himself
Nov there's many talks against
Jim. but he wasn't such a bad fel-
low" broke in the shoemaker. He
was . man named Austin, with whom
Driscoll had had a feud Of several
months standing. on account of .
business Misunderstanding. when .
mans cranky folks makes Allowances
for him. tell you. . man who can
keep the love OF woman Ike Mary
Driscoll must have some good in him
1t stands to reason"
IT'S q pity there wasn't no chill
dren." sighed Miss Hemans. the Sis
ter Of the butcher. That's what ate
into their hearts like acid. But I
guess that II he lives Mary Driscoll
will be go overjoyed that hfe1l take
on q happier look for her"
NO chance Of his recovering. Is
there?" asked Austin.
"A small one." said the butcher.
The doc says that II he RECEIVERS
consciousness he'll most likely get
we'll. II seems there's a splinter Of
bone pressing on his brain. and they
can't tell how much it's injured him.
II he RECEIVERS consciousness. the
brains all right; II he don't-well. he
won't. that's all"
did Mary Driscoll write that?"
asked another
Sure. She wrote to Miss Hemans
here"
Jim Driscoll was conscious OF min
eled emotions. The first was of
shame and humiliation. or all the
neighbors gathered there. not one had
a bad word for him But the second
I was OF disgust. Could II be possible
that his wife had gone TO the hospital
and actually mistaken another man
for himself
Or was somebody lying7 That was
more probable explanation. OF
coursei II was a lie. His impulse
was 20 run into the room. but he re-
strained himself and he heard an
other speaker say:
Il tell you. Miss Hemans. when
saw Mary Driscoll start OF this morn.
ing. she looked actually pretty in that
black dress of hers. In spite OF her
sorrow She was crying and she
couldn't hide II. but she looked like a
girl again. Sorrow seems to bring
back the youth In some people"
"Shes had sorrow enough" broke
e., a. th,t -
coll had heard Living with a man
like Jim is enough to make any WON
an wish she was dead"
Driscoli knew the speaker He was
the cashier of the local bank. and
about the only friend he had in Box.
Vile. And the sudden realization OF
the fellows treachery almost un.
nerved the watcher at the window.
He. Driscoll. had been SO wrapped
MP in his hatred and moodiness that
he had never been able to tell his true
friends from the false ones. He had
acted like fool An overwhelming
sense OF remorse came over him. I.
he could see Mary now. and tell her
what a fool he had been,
And. unable longer to restrain him
self. he sprang for the door. opened
Il. and rushed into the parlor.
I'm here. and I've heard every
vord!- he shouted to the assembly
you. Mr.. Nevins-" he turned to the
cashier-"were my best friend. and
you can walk right out OF my house
and never come"
We'll, Jim Driscoll was a good man
in his way" said Miss Hemans, wip
ing her eyes
They had not heard him! Nobody
had heard or noticed him! And. even
as he stood there. bewildered. Nevins
walked straight into him-and through
him,
In an instant Driscoll understood.
He was dead He had died in the
collision, and he was in his own homo
in the spirit. while the mangled flesh
lay-in the hospital, no doubt. where
his patient wife was watching!
Il agree with you. Miss Hcmans."
the butcher answered.
Jim Driscoll turned slowly away.
and, with the realization that his last
chance to redeem his life was gone.
An aeonixing sense OF hopelessness
crushed him.
"Jim!"
Jim Driscoll opened his eyes and
stared into his wife's face.
20, thank God. Jim, You are con.
scious. You are going to get well.
Jim, God has answered my prayers.
I have prayed for you night and day
these ten days past. and the doctor
said n Won knew me again YOU would
recover. Jim. my dear-Jim. o. my
dearl"
And. kneeling at the bedside she
nung her arms round the sick mans
neck.