Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-23

was still a band around Dicks throat.
1t hurt him to look at David, SO thin
and feeble, so sunken from his former
portliness. And David saw his eyes
1--WE dropped little hesb. eh
Dick?' he inquired. ''Old bulge is
gone. you sec. The nurse makes up
the bed when I'm in it, Hat as when
I'm out
Suddenly his composure broke. He
was feeble and apprehensive old man
shaken with the fearless sobbing of
weakness and age. Dick put an arm
across his shoulders, and they sat with
out speech until David was quiet again.
I'm a crying old woman, Dick. y
David said at last. That's what
comes Of never feeling a pair Of pants
on your legs and being codded like q
baby He sat up and stared around
him ferociously. ''They sprinkle
violet water on my pillows, Dick
Can you beat that?' -.,.
Warned by Lucy, the nurse went to
her room and did not disturb them.
But she at for time in her rocking
chair before she changed into the night =
gown and kimono in which she slept on
the couch in David's room. She knew
the story. and her kindly heart ached
within her. What good would 1t do
after. oil, this home coming2 Dick
could not stay. 1t was even danger
Gus. Reynolds had confided to her tha,
he suspected watch on the house by
the police. and that the mail was being
opened. What good was it?
Across the hall she could hear Lucy
moving briskly about in Dicks room
changing the bedding. throwing up the
drawers After n time Lucy tapped
at her door and she opened IL.
Il put a cake Of scented soap among
your handkerchiefs." she said, rather
breathlessly. "Will you let me have
it for DR.. Dicks room?'
She got the soap and gave II 70 her.
He is going to stay, them"
Certainly he is going to stay
home. Where else should he so?"
But David knew. He lay, listening
with avid interest to Dicks story, ask
ing question now and then, nodding
over Dicks halting attempt to recon /.
struct the period of his confusion, but
all the time one part of him. a keen
and relentless inner voice, was saying
Look at him we'll. Hold him close.
Listen to his voice. Because this hour
is yours, and perhaps only this hour" "
Then the Sayre woman doesn't
know about Your coming?" he asked
when Dick had finished,
"No.'
Still, she mustn't talk about having
seen YOU. I'll send Reynolds up in the
morning
He was eager to hear of what had
occurred in the long interval between
them, and good, bad and Indifferent
Dick told him. But he limited himself
TO events. and did not touch on his
mental battles, and David saw and
noted it. The real story. he knew, lay
there. but it was not time for it. After
while he raised himself in his bed.
Call Lucy, Dick"
When she had come. strangely
younger Lucy, her withered cheeks
flushed, with exercise and excitement.
he said:
Bring me the copy of the statement
| made to Harrison Miller. Lucy"
She brought it, patted Dicks shoul.
der and went away. David held out
the paper.
Read it slowly, boy he said. "It
is my justification and, God willing, ii
may help you. The letter is from INV
brother Henry. Read that, too"
Lucy. having got Dicks room in
readiness, sat down in it to await his
coming. Downstairs, in the warming
oven. was his supper. His bed. with
the best blankets, was turned down and
ready. His dressing gown and slippers