New Britain herald., 1924-03-15


 hinf. seeing him awake and conscious Disgruntled, Holes glared at him "The sight of you" he snapped, ant l, struggled stiffly up. ''Naught else
 Yet even as he gained his feet, q giddiness assailed him. He steadiec himself moment against the door post: then reeled and sank dowr again upon the step that had been hi. couch. For some few seconds hf sat there bemused. marseling at hi: condition. Then, acting on a sudder thought, he tore open the breast oi his shirt.
 "I lied." he shouted wildly. When next he looked up, he was laughing, a ringing. exultant laugh. T lied. There is something else. Look" And he pulled his shirt wider apart, So that the man might see what he had found And that was the last thing that he remembered.
 On his breast the flower of the plague had blossomed while he slept.
 CHAPTER XNyII.
 The Pest-House There ensued for Colonel Holes on some plane other than that of mum dane life period of fevered activity, of dread encounters and terrible com- bats. of continual strife with re- lentless opponent dressed in black and white satin who wore the counten- ance of His Grace of Buckingham and who was ever on the point of staying him, yet, being unmerciful, never slayed.
 The fact is that Holes liven in world of delirium, hence at last he awakened one day to sanity--awak- ened to die. as he thought, when he had taken stock of his surroundings and realized them by the aid of mem- ories he assembled of his last waking conscious hours.
 He found himself lying on A pallet, near window, through which he had a glimpse of foliage and of a strip of indigo sky.
 Tears gathered in his eyes, and rolled down his wasted cheeks.
 Steps were softly approaching his bedside. Some one was leaning over him. He turned his head once more and looked up. And then a great fear took possession of him, so that for moment his heart seemed to contract. Aloud, he explained to himself that apparition.
 T am at my dreams again." he complained in a whisper.
 At his bedside stood woman, young and comedy in the gray home- spun, with the white bands and wig and eoif that made up the garb of Puritans. Her face was small and pale and oval, her eyes were long, of a color between blue and green. very wistful now in their expression, and from under the wings of her coif escaped one or two heavy chestnut curls, to lie upon her white cheek. A fine cool hand sought his own where 1t lay upon the co,erlet, a voice that was full of soft, sad music answered him.
 Nay, Randall. You are awake at last---thank God."
 And now he saw that those long wistfnl eyes were aswim in tears.
 Where am l, then7" he asked in | his first real bewiderment since awakening.
 "In the pest-house in Bunhill | Fields" she told him, which only served 10 increase the confusion in his mind.
 That is I can understand l that. I have the plague, I know. \ I | being stricken with it. | But you? How come you here in a pest-house
 There was nowhere else for mo 10 go after after 1 left that house in Knight Ryder Street" And very briefly she explained the circum- stances.
 And you tended me? You?" amazement lent strength to his enfeebled voice.
 Did not you tend me?" she an- swered him.
 He made 2 gesture Of repuaiation with one Of his hands, grown so pale md thin.
 Then he looked af her with piteous yes. ''l scarce dare hope that you'll 'orgiYe cm all g II "But I do, Randall. do. I have ong since forgiven you. gave you ny forgiveness and gratitude when I anew what you had done for me, how ron risked your life in reparation. If could forgive you then, can I har- DOT resentment now that know ali? do forgive-freely, utterly, com )letely, Randall dear" Ii Then I am content. What matter Lll my unrealizcd dreams of crowned all my high-fo ambitions? To this must have 1 'ome in the end. was a fool not to rave taken the quiet good to which | vas born. Then might we have been 1 lappy. Nan. and neither Of us would 1 rave felt the need 10 seek the hollow $ riumphs Of the world It You talk as if you were to die" he reproved him through his tears. $ But you shall get well again."
 That surely were a crowninG folly Then I may die so happily"
 And then the doctor snpervened to them. and to confirm cir- f her assertion that l iolies was now out of danger. 8 The truth is that. what he had c one for her when she was plague I trickeh, she had now done for him, ? Y unremitting care Of him in the | ndlcss hours Of his de1irium. reck- V s5 Of how she exhausted herself in f he effort. she had brought him safe f ' through the Valley Of the. Shadow. f nd already. even as lie spoke of fl ying, delnded by his weakness and [ he great lassitude that attends ex- s austion into believing that already ( Q stood upon the threshold, his re- ( oyery was assured. i
 tContinued in Our Next Issue) 1t
 Leather Goats lc