The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-01-31

her. She had no time TO talk. Sne
must give her little son his dinner
and hurry back TO her husband at the
sanitarium.
'eWel. Mrs. Townsend" one of the
women said as Olive reached the land
ing, I'VE thought you were never COM
ing home"
"Why?" Olive inquired, with feel
ing that something dreadful had hap
pened.
"Your child fell off a shed this
morning and just about killed him
self" the woman informed her in
tone, which told Olive that she held
her responsible. u carried him across
the street TO the hospital hours ago"
she continued.
Without another word Olive ran
down the stairs and across the street
to the hospital, her heart humping
madly against her ribs.
Dirk must not hear of this" she
told herself, her heart swelling with
love and pity for her husband.
AS she followed the nurse down a
long corridor to where her son lay,
she prayed that God would spare his
life. Fearful of what awaited her,
yet steeling herself against the or
deal, she tiptoed into the room, red
client of medicinal odors.
Gerald, dear!" Olive whispered, on
catching sight of her son lying so mo-
tionless upon the little, white bed.
Tenderly she patted the small, brown
hand that lay outside the coverlet.
She made a pretty picture as she
knelt beside the bed, her dainty head
with its wealth of black hair pressed
against the manly little fellows cheek.
Her blue dress lent a bit Of color to
the room.
A faint smile played about the cor
ners of her child's mouth as he recog-
nized his mother.
I'm all right" he murmured brave
ly, tear trucking down his cheek
and splashing on the pillow.
MADAM" an inferno said, looking
in at the door, Doctor Saunders left
word for you to stay until he sees
you
As Olive waited, her thoughts swept
her back to her husband. He had
been unusually irritable that morning
The doctor at the sanitarium had tele'
phoned her at her Office early. She
had asked for leave and hurried out
to be with him.
From out of the stiffness she heard
her husbands voice repeat the story
- of the "Last Pass" 1t was the mem
DRY of that shock, which he had re
ceived while serving as captain of 6
company of infantry during the Worlt
war, that was undermining his health
eve were resting in a house in 6
French village in the Champagne sec
tor l was watching the major an(
lieutenant play a game of craps wher
a huge German g. l. Can exploded
I was stunned by the conclusion o
the shell; the others were killed
When l regained consciousness, l saw
the major with his right arm extended
over the table. his fingers half-cupped
like this, Olive" And he would SHOW
her that not unfamiliar gesture
Scattered about the table were pa
per francs. the works; and near hi.
hand were two dice, one showed =;
81 the other q '2'-a natural. 1t wa.
his Last Pass, tell you, dear"
She saw his big frame racked witt
sobs; saw herself, her heart so filleC
with pity for him that it ached witt
nh e,1Cntb h1rl- thD Iish
brown hair from his damp forehead.
When the psychiatrist had said
"There is a chance that shocl
might correct your husbands cOndi
tion," she had taken heart. That wa
nine months ago. She had long sine
given up that hope.
Her thoughts were interrupted b,
the not unpleasant voice of Docto
Saunders.
"Mrs. Townsend" he said, your DO.
is very i'll. If parents would give thei
children the attention they should, &C
cidents like this could be avoided"
Olive did not try to defend herself
Those women who had been waiting
fer her at her door, the doctor, al
seemed to think she had neglected
her son. If only she dare lay bare he
soul to the neighbors and sue TO
righteous Judgment Tell them tina
/ the hours spent away from her chill
were spent at the sanitarium with he
husband of whom they knew nothing
But she could not. The fear of tn
faint Of insanity made her afraid.
She watched the doctors skillfu
hands dress the wounds on her SON
body.
"He will get well?" she ventured.
81 can't tell. He is injured inter
nally," he answered her.
A nurse glided noiselessly into tn
room and handed Olive a telegram.
neighbor had brought it to the hos
pital for her, il was from the SAM
tarium.
s She held the yellow slip with tren
bling hands. Horrible thoughts hui
Ting through her mind. 81 must 60,
she said.
"You can't!'' the doctor told hel
"Your presence here when the crisi
comes may tip the scale in which you
childs life is held in the balance"
"But | must He'll be all right
See-he's sleeping now she pleaded.
Then in a voice that sounded ia
away, her son said, Mother"