Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-05-05
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Gerry's cablegram to his mother was
forwarded to Red Hill on the very day
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 low
tone to Mrs. Lansing.
But Mrs. Lansing had found new
lines in the judges tired face and she
whispered back, II can't" She put the
cablegram in the judges hand.
whats this?" he said and read 1t.
Then he gave a war-whoop, caught
Allx around the waist and kissed her.
The Firs were gay that night-gay
with the joy of happy people happily
planning. In 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 undeIivered. THen he cabled
the American consul. There followed
long series of messages; first quick
and hopeful, then tagging but not
doubtful, then a 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
coyery Of Gerry's canoe stranded three
miles down the river. The paddle was
still in the canoe and a suit of pyja-
mas. No further trace Of Gerry had
been found. His body had not been res
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 bis 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 1t was not time to tell AIix and
during long months they put her OF
with false news of the search. They
carried it farther and farther into thu
wilds OF the subcontinent. The coun
try was so vast, there was no telling
when the messenger would finally
come up with Gerry.
ak bore the strain with wonder
full patience The truth was that he
thoughts were not on Gerry. Some
thing greater than Gerry was claiming
all her faith-all her strength Of bod.
and soul. She did not talk. She wa
holding that final communion with he
innermost self with which a womal
dedicates her body to pain and sacri
flce. Alix was not afraid. In thos
days the spirit Of the race-her rae
of pioneers-shOne from her stead
eyes and even put courage In thos
about her.
, Only when the ordeal was over an
! an heir to the house of Lansing ha
, raised his lusty voice In apparent rag
3 at having been born to so small
4 kingdom, did the, frail ak OF othe
l days come back. AS she lay, pale an
n thin, but with the glorious light {
l supreme achievement in her eyes, MIR
Lansing went on her knees beside th
. bed and sobbed, "Oh, Alix, love 20
I SO, / love you sor'
I Allx smiled. Slowly she reached or
!. hand over and placed 1t in Mrs. Lal
4 sings. You are crying because yo
are granny now" she said, softl
: playfully.
= Then came the day when Alix WI
! strong strong enough. Mrs. LansiE
: told her IN q choked voice what the
- knew and what everyone believe
4 She cried softly in Alix' arms.
n .POor mother!' said Alix, her iii
n against the wet cneek. HOW strOI
you've been! How you hid 1t fro
n me! What burden to carry In yo'
% heart. and smile. But listen. de-
i mummy. You are all wrong. PerhaI
n would not have known 1t II "
y had told me-then-but know It no.
: Gerry is not dead. There is no riv
i. that can drown Gerry"
y 'My DEAR" said Mrs. Lansing. frigf
"a ened, "you must not think that. II
y always the best swimmers that ri
n the most"
! at isn't that he can SWIM" sa
g AK. Her eyes turned slowly till tn
"a rested on her son. Her bosom swell
A. at the memory of the travail-the Il
4 rible travail that she had borne, q
n for the child alone. nor for Ger
= alone, but for them both. "SwfmmiI
IL has nothing to do with it. Someho
y know that Gerry II all right SON