South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-30
TWENTY-EIGHTH OF JUNE BY John Cab

once James Chaldrake began 10 live the life Of
a recluse and the inference seems plain, that
he never forgave himself for that angry quarrel
with his brother, which had not been made up
at the time Of Hugh's death. We may take it,
think that an unavaling remOrse has spoiled
James Chaldrake's life. AS regards his condi-
tion"-and he passed TO professional mat
tiers.
During the next few days I paid regular
visits TO the Grange, and if Chaldrake was not
cOnspicuously better, he was certainly not
worse. And then came a visit which told me
that all the drugs known 10 medical science
would avail little enough to help James Chal
drake and that il was his mind that was sick
far more than his body. | had been shown into
that same library in which ! had first seen
Chaldrake, and as the door closed behind me
/ heard him muttering and mumbling in his
chair. spoke, and he never heard mel doubt
ii ne would have heard anybody or anything
just then. And then, just | stepped forward
he rose unsteadiy from his chair, and never
saw look of such rapt eagerness upon mans
face / upon his just then. He was lis
tening-hstening TO a sound that only existed
for himself. AnG-so ! thought-he was look
ing at something and here again. the thing
at which he looked existed for none other than
James Chaldrake 1t was ptiful to see him
looking at nothing and listening 10 nothing
And then his lips parted and just caught the
almost whispered words;
Lock" he said. there. there with the moon
light his face" He stopped and peered for
ward-at nothing "Harki" he whispered "he
is calling to me. lin. Jim he is saying. save
me. JIM He seemed TO tremble as he stood,
and then there spread over his face look Of
the most acute and dreadful fear. "He-has-
gone | heard him say. and it was as though
every word was dragged from his ashen lips.
He stood for a moment, still trembling from
head TO foot, and then sank back in his chair.
When l spoke to him then and he answered
me. he seemed TO have no remembrance OF that
strange Outburst OF a few minutes before, for
he did not refer TO il in any way beginning
to speak with more interest than usual Of MS
own illness. AS a matter Of fact this the
first occasion upon which he had really admit
ted that he i'll at all, and / listened with
interest while he mumbled something about be-
ing glad if | would give him some strong medi-
cine.
Make II stronger. doctor, make it stronger"
he said in a clearer voice. Tide me over the
twenty-eighth aye. do that and I'll thank you
The twenty-ninth you mean" / said sooth-
ingly. wondering at his confusion of dates in
matter which was photographed upon his mem
DRY with such dreadful clearness.
He looked at me with that suggestion OF
vagueness and wondering that | had often
noticed before. and l knew he was losing his
grip upon himself once more. He sat there,
huddled up in his chair. muttering incoherent
snatches OF words. And then, full minute
after had corrected him about the date Of his
brothers death. he said again
AYE, tide me over the twenty-eighth, and
I'll thank you. doctor"
So my correction had fallen upon deaf or
unheedng ears.
! saw the sister again the day before left.
and I happened TO mention this odd circum-
stance Of her brother getting mixed in his
dates when harping upon his brothers death.
He keeps referring TO the twenty-eighth as
the day upon which your brother died." l said.
"Of course he's wrong; the Laventic went down
in the early evening VI the twonty-ninth OF
June did il not?'
yes" she said. the Laventic went down
on the twenty-ninth OF June"
| made some casual remark about the oddly
OF her brothers mistake, and straightway for
got all about the matter.
Il was that same evening received a visit
from the village parson. a fine old fellow who
had had that little cure Of souls for over thirty
years He looked in 70 smoke his pipe and chat
OF the great world that lay outside Merehurst.
but after a time our talk came back TO local
affairs. and eventually centred upon James
Chaldrake.
"A great tragedy that. DR.. Allaby. and II
have never really understood IL natural
grief one can understand; that is thing entire