Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-02-10
Copyright A. c. McClurg & Co.. 1910
CHAPTER XIII.
Six Hundred Dead-And One!

Six Hundred Dead-And One
The days that followed Bobs col
lapse were the happiest he had known
for over year. James tender nature
and her deep rooted love for her hus-
band asserted itself in a thousand
ways. There is no field like a sick
room to give scope to a true woman's
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 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
morphla and the soothing influence of
his Wifes 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 persifage 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 his hand in hers
Bob" she said suddenly, Il haven't
said a 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 l know you are better now
and that you'll 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 Diek and his mother in the bunga-
low. Won't that be fine?"
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
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? Well never see the Brands
again. Dearest, know | was wrong;
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
filled eyes.
"Oh, you don't know how I've suf-
fered." 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. Can't |
WEI"
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 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 We 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
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
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 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
ZONE strange, haunting fear that would