Middletown transcript., 1916-05-20

Gerry suddenly stopped. Allx had not
run away. She had jumped off the
train. Where was she. then? What
had she done through the years he
had been away? Why had she jumped
off the train. He struck his hand to
his head and stumbled off the We
randa.
Lieber's anger died In him, but
he turned and went back to Alan.
Two hours later he came out again
to find Gerry crouched on the veranda.
The spirit had gone out Of him. but
he turned on Lieber with a determi-
nation in his tired eyes. you told me
to get out and l haven't. There are
things I've got to know. I'll wait"
Il spoke in haste, Mr.. Lansing" said
Lieber. 81 want you should forgive
me. You are all in, too. Come with
me-"
He led him into his own room made
him lie down, and closed the shutters.
Gerry threw himself across the bed,
arms Outstretched, face down. Lieber
slipped out and noiseIessly shut the
door. Gerry lay exhausted. He could
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, deep sleep
that was all Inconsistencies.
1t was almost night when be awoke
and with the awakening the weight
settled back on his brain. only now he
had the strength to think In spite of It.
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. "It's all right.
Mr.. Lansing. He must have 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 so 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
outions and held them. 1t was his
way of reassuring himself. He want
ed to feel his frmness 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 a frown. It was
still hard to use words. Gerry, last
night l wanted to tell you more only
/ 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 wasn't-carnal after
all. She went back home. You didn't
turn up. You never turned up. They
traced you to a 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
Alix 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 boyF' groaned Gerry. "What
boy?"
Yours" said Alan. "He is a great
boy. There is a new Allx since he
came. She is as far from me and
what she was as the stars. She ls n
steady star. But it's all right now.
You'll go back to her"
81 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. YOU 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-
unity Of emptiness. Through Its de-
pressing void the sun swain SLOWLY