Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-03-26
CHAPTER XIII,


Tor over q year. James tender nature
and her deep rooted love for her hus-
band asserted itself in q thousand
ways. There il 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
morphia and the soothing influence Of
his wife's 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 pervaded the sick
room with an atmosphere Of cheerful
ness as 1t 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 1t, dearest. and get
strong and well like your old, good
self. But I know you are better now
and that you'll be better still when l
tell you what I've planned-Dick and
I. Mr.. Brands fixed everything at the
bank and a. 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 finer"
She heamed 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 I was wrong;
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
filed eyes.
"Oh. you don't know how I've sui.
fered." 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; know we can. Can't
wer'
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
10 do from the mere standpoint of his
own protection. But that did not 70
move the blight or ease the Cravings
Of conscience that had racked him In
al the hours of his convelescence.
He could not obliterate the deeds of
the year past nor did he feel that he
vas immune to the penalties. He had
been keenly aware of them In his
waking hours, AZ before. and again
they had haunted him in his sleep.
Whatsoever ye SOW" That was the
tsxt that had pounded constantly at
the door Of his befuddled brain. Only
the stupor of his weakness had acted
- . mute. The stronger he grew the
clearer the future seemed to him. He
had sown and he must reap. But he
smiled bravely now and patted his
vtfe's hand.
wait till I'm up, Jane" he said.
We will decide on something. Let m
hope that 1t will come out all right
1t 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 1t viii
come to us alike"
He closed his eyes and sank back
On the pillow. He was not strons
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 doorbelI
had sounsed loud and vibrant like
some clarion alarm that bespoke the
hoar when he must pay. He wondered
when he heard 1t, II 1t were some mes.
ssnger from the bank-or worse-for
twice in his sleep had come again that
tsrrible 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 30 get up and the next he went
downstairs. He was much stronger
now and though he felt no relief from
the melancholy depression that oh
sessed him he had regained q physical
poise that let HIN see things In their
true light Jane talked again of hel
plans and he let her rehearse tho n
without . challenge. He could find %
plausible fault with them. II Brad
had paid the overdraft he was fred
from imminent danger and there VII
nothing for him to do but realize
such money - he could on the houge
and 80 back 10 Staten Island or take
Jane and 90 away. He had not de-
cided definitely on that. They were
expecting Dick that afternoon and he
Intended to talk Il over with them