Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-09
CHAPTER XIV

3 udlN lIG SLlll' liz was w iIIILllie5
away on piece of wood. and 1 was
upon him before he saw me.
"You?" his eyes, dull and lifeless,
questioned.
Pardon me! | didn't know you
were here; L thought you were in
the city" l explained. Clarke War
rem sat on a log there before me
yet it was not the old Clarke I'd
known. His eyes were-hurt eyes.
His features panied. Il came here to
try and forget, but 1 find it only
brings back old memories he said,
in a low, dead voice.
I'm sorry about it ALL" l SYM
pathiZed.
She was my inspiration-I lived
for her"
l looked away. What could l say?
And, now I'm alone. She's gone"
he went on. mo, no, her spirit lives.
over there-she's waiting for you.
Think-she's with the others" |
cares" 1 added.
Eyes, L flee away from everybody,
everything--I thought maybe GOD
wouldn't seem so far out here in the
open beneath the trees and skies.
But the song of the birds isn't music
anymore-Im all lost. l can't seem
to GO back to my practice like l did
before-I-" he stopped, then added,
MAYBE it seems foolish to you for
me to be coming here to the old
place-you know this is the line be-
tween Strong's and where SWatord
lived, 1 couldn't help coming
thought maybe it would help little
but nothing helps" he concluded
YEARLY.
God can help you," I said.
And, then I told him why I'd come.
1t was my old home, too, and / was
lonely and seeking comfort. Then
it was [ told him about my past
life. 1t got his mind from himself
I could see.
told him he was the most won
derful man; and pictured his futuf"
career. The poor couldn't do without
him.
He explained why he never went
to war.
He tried for a commission; was
refused.
He was on the examining board;
+he government made him remain at
home. Wise government! His dlsap-
pointment was keen; he threw HIM
self into his work harder than be
fore. 49,,
He livened up. Then we mad
lunch together. He had coffee ana
we made a fire from the chips ne d
cut: the coffee boiling in can smelt
delicious-and our campfire lunch
brought memories of Kenneth ana
orr outdoor ways. Once. I stopped
eating. to still the swelling OF my
heart
He saw and I explained.
INV brother-we used to lunch
like this"
"Forgive me-you have had your
sorrows-but isn't it odd now we
come to be here together? A com
cidencc," he said.
Later. I asked him why not BUY
the old homestead of his fathers
No money: Strong would want a
fortune. 1900,
T. told him Strong no longer own
ed. a friend of mine out west haQ
If in charge. I was sure he could
purchase reasonably. instruments. lie
was studying me keenly.
flushed and refused to meet MS
eyes. ,iL -
7 hogan to picture him buying It,
then later he'd build a sanltarlum on
it for the poor. .,4 o..
He laughed then. ,s-.o
said: II have friends who nave
money; they give away great sums
TO others in distant lands. It's neeu.
ed right here. I've seen enough-ll
youIi buy that place, Ill canvass
for the money. Trust me for that
part of it," .o+
He laughed again and it had that
ring in it. ,o1o+
Then we elaborated, or collaborat-
ed together on the great IDEA. II
was great fun to build and plan that
sanitarium. 1t was the wonder OIL
our day. .., ;,
"The Clarke Warren sanitarium,
7 smiled. NO it will be memorial
TO your brother Kenneth and my
sister Mary" he declared. And to
our fathers and our mothers, L add
ed I'd been making leaf hats, just
as did when a child in those same
woods. Now I tried one on. in child
tsh fun and handed him fan Ia
made. He had fashioned tiny ca
noe from a piece of bark, and named
it Hope" Then, he placed it on the
bosom of the brooklet that Flowed
by. and said, "Our Home has started
on it's journey. Good luck:
called for his knife.
He refused. You might cut your
finger" he laughed. Then wanted
to see the scar by daylight!
Chapter XIV.
| held it out to him. He clasped
my hand, and said, II wish you'd let
me cover tina tscar with ring
some day. If I had just that to look
forward to it would help-Im too
poor to mention marrying to you,noW;
but if you'd let me hope-When my
ship comes in-would you-do you
think you could care?'
Carer and I allowed my hand to
remain in his while l put my other
hand caressingly over hist would
be only for the moment-it could
never be again.
Eyes; I could-care, but I'd care
too much for you to spoil your ca
reer."
"How do you mean" he ques-
toned.
"Tt,S bard tn exnIain hit 7 know