The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-03-18
CHAPTER xxiIi.
Six Hundred pead-And onsi


band asserted itself In a thousand
ways. There is no field like 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 physical
giant. He had narrowly escaped
severe attack of brain fever. but
through the skilful 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 perslfiage 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 mis- 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 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
|. 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 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.
glad? Aren't you glad it's all over
and that we can start again just like
we we're? Well never see the Brands
again. Dearest. know I was wrong;
wrong all the time"
She looked at him now through mist
flled 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
wet"
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 II. Brand had
settled with the bank OF course he
had. There was nothing else for him
70 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 ye SOW" That was the
text that had pounded constantly al
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 he must reap. But he
smiled bravely now and patted his
wife's hand.
wait till I'm up. Jane" he said
1--WE will decide on something. Let us
hope that 1t will come out all right
at least, for you"
For me-" she exclaimed Don
hope for me, Bob. l 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 bacl
ON the pillow. He was not stronl
enough to answer her or to reason TO
himself Just what the future held 70
him. He knew only that he was tire'
and that there was no rest He ha,
struggled for days that way agains
some strange. haunting fear that woul'
not down. The ringing Of the doorbel
nAu SOunueu iOuu anu Nipiahe hh
some clarion alarm that bespoke tn
hour when he must pay. He wondere
when he heard It, II It were some mei
senger from the bank-or worse-fo
twice in his sleep had come again tina
terrible dream OF the bursting dam.
Jane saw that he was exhausted
The morphia brought these spells
inertia and collapse. She kissed hir
softly and slipped out OF the room.
The following day Reynolds wa
able to get up and the next he wen
downstairs. He was much stronge
now and though he felt no relief fror
the melancholy depression that ol
sessed him he had regained physics
poise that let him see things in thei
true light. Jane talked again OF he
plans and he let her rehearse theI
without q challenge. He could fnd n
plausible fault with them. II Bran