The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-02-18

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that the judge had gone to tell them
that no trace could be found of the
missing man. The judge was more
down-hearted than ever over Gerry s
disappearance and when he found the
two women radiating happiness and
excitement his heart sank lower still.
81 haven't any good news" he said
ruefully before he alighted.
Tease him." said Alix in a low
tone to Mrs. Lansing
But Mrs. Lansing had found new
lines in the judges tired face and she
whispered back. 81 can't" She put the
cablegram In the judges hand.
What's this?' he said and read it.
Then he gave a war-whoop, caught
Alix around the waist and kissed her.
The Firs We're gay that night-gay
with the joy of happy people happily
planning In a month, say at the most,
two months. Gerry could be here.
Spring would have come. The Hill
would be decked out in full regalia of
leaf and blossom. 1t would be in full
commission to meet him. They looked
at Alix and Alix seemed to look at
herself. He would come into his own
as never before
The judge undertook the cabling.
He cabled Gerry and the message was
reported undelivered. Then he cabled
the American consul. There followed
a long series of messages; first quick
and hopeful, then tagging but not
doubtful then wearying silence OF
weeks, ending with the inevitable
blow Gerry had been traced to the
San Francisco river The envoy sent
on his track by the judges orders
had reached Piranhas to find the little
town in apathetic wonder over the dis
covery of Gerry's canoe stranded three
miles down the river. The paddle was
mas. No further trace of Gerry had
been found His body had not been re-
covered. The people said it was not
unusual He had undoubtedly been at
tackled by tiger fish. In that case his
bones would have been stripped of
flesh. 1t was impossible to drag the
great river.
The judge hid in his heart the har-
rowing details. To Mrs. Lansing he
told the central fact She was struck
dumb with grief and then she thought
of AliX Almost hastily they decided
that it was not a time to tell Alix and
during long months they put her off
with false news of the search. They
carried it farther and farther into the
wilds of the subcontinent. The coun-
try was so vast, there was no telling
when the messenger would finally
come up with Gerry.
Alix bore the strain with wonder
full patience. The truth was that her
thoughts were not on Gerry. Some
thing greater than Gerry was claiming
all her faith-ail her strength of body
and soul. She did not talk. She was
holding that final communion with her
innermost self with which woman
dedicates her body to pain and sacri-
fee Alix was not afraid. In those
days the spirit Of the race-her race
Of pioneers-shone from her steady
eyes and even put courage in those
about her.
Only when the ordeal was over and
an heir to the house of Lansing had
raised his lusty voice in apparent rage
at having been born to so small a
kingdom. did the frail Alix of other
days come back. AS she lay, pale and
thin. but with the glorious light of
supreme achievement i'll her eyes, Mrs.
Lansing went on her knees beside the
bed and sobbed, "Oh. Alix, love you
so, love you so!'
Alix smiled. Slowly she reached one
hand over and placed it in Mrs. Lam
sings. You are crying because you
are granny now" she said, softly.
playfully.
Then came the day when Alix was
stroug-strong enough. Mrs. Lansing
told her in choked voice what they
knew and what everyone believed.
She cried softly in Alix' arms.
Poor mother" said AliX, her lips
against the wet cheek. How strong
you've been, How you hid it from
me- What burden to carry in your
heart. and smile. But listen. dear
mummy. You are all wrong. Perhaps
would not have known it if you
had told me-then-hut know it now.
Gerry is not dead. There is no river
that can drown Gerry
"My dear" said Mrs. Lansing. fright
ened. you must not think that. It's
always the best swimmers that risk
the most"
at isn't that he can SWIM" said
AK. Her eyes turned slowly till they
rested on her son. Her bosom swelled
at the memory Of the travail-the ter
rible travail that she had borne, not
for the child alone, nor for Gerry
alone, but for them both. Swimming
has nothing to do with it. Somehow
/ know that Gerry is all right, some