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

had left him. He had spent the entire
time. had she known 1t, in impressing
on his mind the familiar details OF the
room, to carry away with him.
She stood beside him, hand on his
shoulder, 10 see that he drank the milk
slowly.
I've got the fire going she said.
And I'll run up now and set your
clothes. had put them away Her
voice broke little. 'You see, We
You can change in your laboratory.
Richard, can't you! If you go upstairs
he'll hear you
He reached up and caught her hand
That touch, too. Of the nearest to
mothers hand that he had known, he
meant to carry away with him. He could
not speak.
She hustled away, into her bright
kitchen first, and then with happy
stealth TO the storeroom. Her very
heart was singing within her. She
neither thought nor reasoncd. Dick was
back, and all would be well. If she
had any subconscious anxieties they
were quieted. also subconsciously, BY
confidence in the men who were fighting
his battle for him, by Walter Wheeler
and Bassett and Harrison Miller. That
Dick himself would present any diff
Guilty lay beyond her worst fears.
She had been out Of the room only
twenty minutes when she returned to
David and prepared to break her great
news. At first she thought he was
asleep. lie was lying back with his
eyes closed and his hands crossed on
the prayer book. But he looked up
Mt her, and was instantly reused to full
attention by her face
You've had some news he said.
Yes, David. There's a little news.
Don't count too much on it. Don't sit
up. David have heard something that
makes me think he is alive. Alive and
we'll
He made desperate effort and con-
troled himself.
Where is he:'
She sat down beside him and took
his hand between hers.
David she said slowly God has
been very good to VI. l want to tell
you something, and / want you to pre-
pare yourself We have heard from
Dick. He is all right. He loves US.
as he always did. And-he is down.
stairs, David
He lay very still and without speak
ing. She was frightened at first, afraid
to go on with her further news. But
suddenly David sat up in bed and in
full, firm voice began the TIE Deum
Laudamus. We praise thee, o God
we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the
Father everlasting
He repeated it in Its entirety. At
the end however, his voice broke.
80 Lord. in thee have I trusted
l doubted Him, Lucy" he said.
Dick, waiting at the foot OF the
stairs, heard that triumphant pnean of
thanksgiving and praise and closed his
eyes.
1t was a few minutes later that Lucy
came down the stairs again.
"You heard him." she asked. ooh,
Dick, he had frightened me. 1t was
more than Il question of himself and
you. He was making it one of himself
and God"
She let him 60 up alone and waited
below, straining her ears, but she
heard nothing beyond David's FIRST
hoarse cry. and after little she went
into her sitting room and shut the
doors.
Whatever lay underneath, there was
no surface drama in the meeting. The
determination to ignore any tragedy
in the situation was strong in them
both. and II David's eyes were blurred
and his hands trembling. II Dicks first
words were rather choked, they hid
their emotion carefully.
We'll, here am. like bad penny"
said Dick huskily from the doorway.
And long time you've been about
it." grumbled Davio. "iou young
rascal"
He held out his hand. and Dick
crushed it between both Of his lie
vas startled at the change in David
For moment he could only stand
there. holding his hand, and trying TO
keep his apprehension out of his face
sit down" David said awkwnrdly,
and blew his nose with a terrific blast
I've been laid up for while, but
I'm all right now. III fool them yet, /"
he boosted, out Of his happiness and
content. Business has been going to
the dogs, Dick. Reynolds is a fool"
"Of course you'll fool them" There