The Irish standard., 1916-02-12

Klng0Om. UQ Ine Ira1i Anx Ol Ul,lea
days come back. AS she lay, pale and
thin, but with the glorious light Of
supreme achievement in her sffs. Mrs.
Lansing went on her knees beside the
bed and sobbed, "Ch, Alix, l love YOU
so. l love you sop
Alix smiled. Slowly she reached one
hand over and placed it in Mrs. Lam
sings. "You are crying because you
are a granny now" she said, softly,
playfully.
Then came the day when Alix was
strong-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-but know 1t 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"
ut isn't that he can SWIM" said
Alix. Her eyes turned slowly till they
rested on her son. Her bosom swelled
at the memory Of the travail-tle ter
rible travail that she had horne, 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
where OH this little world. Only. dear,'
and here her voice faltered and her
eyes shone with tears. this little
| world seems mighty big when hearts
are far apart"
Alix chung to her belief. So strong
was her faith that Mrs Lansing be-
came infected. but the judge held out
against them. my heart is with you,''
he said, at the end of months. "but
my head won't turn. a naked man
even in South America would have
caused remark. Why shouldn't he
have come back for his clothes, for his
money? After all, he wasn't a fugi.
tive from Justice. He was man
wandering over the earth in pursuit of
a mere whim and a whim doesn't last
forever"
! Alix interrupted him. Judge, ]
have never been angry with YOU. We
all owe you too much. But If you
ever say was about Gerry again-'
She stopped and bit her lip but hel
eyes spoke for her.
"My dear girl" said the Judge and
only his color showed that he was
hurt, "don't be angry with me. II
shall he as you cay. I've only beer
trying to save you from years Of
weary waiting. If you have the cour
age to wait for sorrow, l shall wal
too.''
Alix kissed him. t'There," she said
"Pm sorry I was rough"
you! rough!' laughed the Judge
Then he jumped up. "I'm forgetting
my duties. have a guest of ny yer,
own at Maple House and must go t,
him.
A few weeks before, Hon. Perc,
Collingeford had looked up the judge
1t was as much pleasure to til
young man as duty he owed to hi
father. whose friend the judge ha,
been for many years.
Collingeford was no stranger t
America but he knew far more abou
lodging arroyos in New Mexico on
cow pony than he did about dodgin
the open trenches and debris of Fiftl
avenue on the trail of tea-party. H
was an Englishman. younger sol
with enough money to put him abov
the remittance class, and he was Eos
sessed of far more intelligence thai
he had been born with, for, from hi
youth up, he had sought out expert
ence in many places. He came bacl
from the Klondike with more none,
than he needed for his passage b,l
only few kindred spirits knew tha
he had made it hammerinG the plan
III The Fallen Star of Hope. He hat
the English gentleman's common
creed: ride straight. shoot straight, tul
often and talk the kings English 'rha
creed fulfilled, nothing else seemed
to worry him.
He was dining with the Judge a
the club one night when the name o
Wayne-Alan Wayne-floated over oc
casionally from ncighboring table
Later as they sat over their coffee ant
cigars Collingeford said abruptly, {"
know a chap named Wayne"
"So?" said the Judge.
Heard those people mention Alal
Wayne" explained Collingeford.
wonder If it was the same One-Tel
Percent Wayne of Africa"
That's the one" said the judg
and watched Collingeford's face.
"Hum," said Collingeford. "When
saw Wayne he was in shirt sleeve
and a battered sun helmet. There ar
some men that won't shake hand
with him, but I'm not one of them"
1t was then that the Judge decides
to take Collingeford to Maple Hous
for over Sunday.
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