New Britain herald., 1927-01-07
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE


 reported dead.
 It Is discovered that the father of the twins is dead and that they are neices and heirs of John Clayton, wealthy resident of Indianapolis. Shortly after this, the Elwells get word that Jim is alive. They start for New York.
 At the hospital they are told by Nurse Nellie Downing that Jim's mind is blank, that he is like a liv- ing dead man.
 NOW BEGIN THE STORY CHAPTER NNFlI .. .. -. Nellie Downing turned and Prof and Mollie Elwoll followed her. They went up in the elevator and then were taken to the ward where Jim Elwon was.
 Still following the nurse. the par ents Of Jim Elwell walked down the corridor and into the great room. Prof held tightly 10 his wife's arm and kept anxious watch on her.
 Be brave, dear" he counseled. Be brave for the boys sake. Hes alive, you know. That's sonnet hing. It's far better than-than the other Prof Elwell knew he was lying.
 The little drama that followed was one that Nellie Downing cheerfulIy would have given year of her life to have missed. Half the distance down the big room she could sec Jim ElwelI. He was sitting down in chair beside his cot; gazing at a nearby window with those listlcss eyes Of his. As she looked at him it seemed to the nurse that he was the symbol of futility. Waiting, forever waiting. That was what he seemed to be doing. Waiting for someone who never came-for something that never happened, and never would happen.
 Apparently he had heard them moving down the room, for he turn ed his head as they approached and Mollo Elwel for the first time saw the blank stare that had come to supplant the steady look and the merry light in Jim Elwell's eyes. He seemed perfectly unaware of them.
 And now Nellie Downing and Prof and Mollic had drawn close 10 him. They stopped. Nellie Downing ask ed. Is this your boy. Mrs. Elwell?"
 Yes" Mollie uttered in a faint whisper. Prof Elwell nodded sadly.
 You see 2" the nurse said. gestur- ing toward Jim with an eloquent hand.
 Again Prof nodded Mollie was looking at her boy. She had not moved since they had paused at his bedside. Prof, too. had not moved. but his eyes wavered between Jim and Mollie. Poor Molle This was likely to break her. To build up the hope in her once more only to have it blasted like this. Prof Elwell was fearful.
 And then Mollie Elwel spoke to her boy. Jim," she said, very soft ly.
 Jim looked at her. A little uncer- tain smile trembled on his lips.
 Jim" Mollie said again. and eX- tended her hand toward him.
 The smile vanished from Jim FL wells mouth. A frown made wrinkles between his eyebrows.
 Mollie Elwell laid her hand on Jim's arm. Don't you know your mother, Jim? Don't you know Mol lie?"
 Nellie Downing began to cry very softly. and Prof Elwell turned his eyes in agony toward the ceiling. It vas more than he could bear. Oh, the cruelty of it, he was thinking.
 Its Mollie. Jim" the boys moth CT was saying again. Look at mo, Jim; look at me But Jim was looking at her, only the eyes through which he looked opened onto a deadened mind.
 Do you know me. Jim? Do you know your mothor?'
 There was not answer from the soldier. Again that frown knitted his brows. He turned toward the nurse and then back again 10 Mollie. A slight sound escaped him, but t was 
 And then Mollic Elwell leaned for ward and pressed her lips against his cheek and Prof clenched his hands till the nails made deep i'm pressions in his palms.
 The kiss had left Jim Elwell un- moved. Mollie's lips fingered q long time on his cheek and then were slowly lifted away.
 And that was all Not another i word from Mollie or from Prof. She | sat there, dry-eyod. looking at her | boy. She had tried 10 awaken him but his brain still slept.
 As for Prof, he patted Jim's shoulder. stroked his hands and . dared not allow himself to speak
 He and Molie took the second . heart t-breaking blow of their lives as . they had taken the first-uncom- | Dlaininsly and without any hysteri- | gal display of emotion. But Nellie , Downing saw beneath the calm sur . face and read there the story O! the . crushing ache, the anguish that was ! 100 acute to manifest itself in any show of frenzied grief.
 The nurse permitted them only a few minutes more with Jim. Then . hey had 10 leave, They could come !. back again the next day. she said could come back as often as they ! pleased, providing they did nothing 70 set the patient back.
 You see how 1t is" she said 10 Prof ns she accompanied them . His mind Is dead. as . old you"
 And there's nothing" Prof asked . her. that can be done?"
 T don't know. I hope so--oh, ] nope SO"
 Prof looked al her a little queer y. Nellie Downing was wiping her syes with her handkerchief. And he had thought that nurses