Mexico Missouri message., 1916-04-06


not think any more. A great weight
lay on his brain. The ten minutes
doze in the chair at Alan's bedside had
not been rest, but nightmare. Pres
emily he fell into sleep, n deep sleep
that was all unconsciousness.
1t was almost night when he awoke
and with the awakening the weight
settled back on his brain, only now he
had the strength to think in spite of II.
He got up and went out in search of
Lieber. Lleber heard him and came
out into the hall. Gerry nodded
towards Alan's room. ITS all right,
Mr.. Lansing. He must have a solid
mind. Your talk didn't excite him
didn't even disturb his sleep. He's on
the road up-weak, a baby, but he's
started life again. He's asked for you
twice. Seems to have something he's
got to get off his chest to you. You'd
better go in"
Gerry sat down once more beside
Alan. The questions he must ask
crowded to his lips, but he forced them
back. He tested his strength with res
olutions and held them. 1t was his
way of reassuring himself He want
ed to feel his firmness rising in him to
meet the struggle he felt must come
when Alan spoke. |..
Alan knew he was there. He saw
him through half-closed eyes, but.
more than that, he felt him. His
brows puckered in frown. 1t was
still hard to use words. Gerry, last
night l wanted to tell you more only
l couldn't. had to sleep. AliX didn't
go with me. She only came to the
train. When l kissed her she woke
up and found she wasnt-carnal after
all. She went back home. You didn't
turn up. You never turned up. They
traced you to q river, an empty ca
noe - pyjamas you know" He
stopped and sighed as though his task
were over.
The veins on Gerry's forehead stood
out in knots. His chin rested on his
clenched hands, his elbows on his
knees. "Alan," he said, where is
Allx now? What has she done?"
Alan opened his eyes and looked at
him. "She is waiting She has always
waited for you to come back She
would not believe you were dead, be-
cause of the boy"
"The boyp groaned Gerry. what
boy2"
yours" said Alan. HE is a great
boy. There is a new Alix since he
came. She is as far from me and
what she was as the stars. She is a
steady star. But it's all right now.
You'll go back to her"
II can't" whispered Gerry hoarsely,
more to himself than to Alan. "I've
got wife here. I've got child here.
To me he is my first-born."
Alan's eyes opened, this time in won
der. A twisted smile came to his lips.
your he said. "Youp' and then the
smile changed to a faint disgust. He
turned his head on the pillow away
from Gerry and slept.
The next morning found Gerry still |
at Lieber's. Outside the heavenly
bowl Of blue was virgin of clouds. 1t |
stretched and domed in a sphered eter-
nifty of emptiness. Through its de- |
void the sun swan slowly,
pitilessly, as though it were loath to |
mark the passing minutes. The whole |
earth baked. Strong trees wilted and |
turned up the wrong sides of their |
leaves on the sea of heat like dying |
fish turning up their white bellies at |
the last gasp. Not a breath Of air
stirred. Heat rose from the ground in
IN unbroken, visible wave. my God"
said Alan, gazing with wistful, far
seeing eyes beyond the familiar, repel-
ent scene, ga homeward fever
)arches up my tongue" There was
Iuch an agony of longing in the words
hat Gerry was frightened. He looked
Iuestloningly at Lieber.
mo" said Lieber. "he's not dying.
ae was dying, but he's changed his
mind. He's going to so home instead"
II believe he's right, Gerry" said
Alan with faint smile. "But didn't |
,hange my mind. He did 1t for me,
Hes in line for a life-saying medal.
4ieber's all right" he stopped. tired
'ut.
Lieber began to talk to Gerry.
'How's the water in tie ditch, Mr..
-anslng"
Mighty low said Gerry. He spoke
Ilmost absent-mindedly. For the FIRST
ime in months the ditch was far from
lis thoughts.
''It's hard luck" said Lieber "The
iver's never been so low before-not
n the memory of man. We do not
lear the falls any more. The river is
lsleep. DO you want me to send my
men down again?"
sits no use,' said Gerry. II don't
lare deepen the ditch any more It's
way below the normal level now"
Alan stirred. whats that about a
litch?9 s = De-
In unhurried phrases and low
yoice Lieber told him the history Of |
gazenda Flores since Gerry's advent
md Of the great part the ditch had |