The Lifted Bandage | Page 7

did. And he answered. That's what happened. As if--as if a bandage had been lifted from my eyes, I was--I was in the presence of things--indescribable. There was no change, only that where I was blind before I now saw. I don't mean vision. I haven't words to explain what I mean. But a world was about me as real as this; it had perhaps always been there; in that moment I was first aware of it. I knew, as if a door had been opened, what heaven means--a condition of being. And I knew another thing more personal--that, without question, it was right with those I thought I had lost and that the horror which seemed blackest I have no need to dread. I cannot say that I saw them or heard or touched them, but I was with them. I understand, but I can't make you understand. I told Dick an hour ago that if I could believe they were living, that I should ever have them again, I should be perfectly happy. That's true now. I believe it, and I am--perfectly happy."
The listener groaned uncontrollably.
"I know your thought," the judge answered the sound, and his eyes were like lamps as he turned them toward the man. "But you're wrong--my mind is not unhinged. You'll see. After what I've gone through, after facing eternity without hope, what are mere years? I can wait. I know. I am--perfectly happy."
Then the man who listened rose from his chair and came and put a hand gently on the shoulder of the judge, looking down at him gravely. "I don't understand you very well, John," he said, "but I'm glad of anything--of anything"--his voice went suddenly. "Will you wait for me here a few minutes? I'm going home and I'll be back. I think I'll spend the night with you if you don't object."
"Object! Wait!" The judge looked up in surprise, and with that he smiled. "I see. Surely. I'd like to have you here. Yes, I'll certainly wait."
Outside in the hall one might have heard the brother-in-law say a low word or two to Miller as the man helped him on with his coat; then the front door shut softly, and he was gone, and the judge sat alone, his head thrown back against his chair, his face luminous.
The other man swung down the dark street, rushing, agitated. As he came to the corner an electric light shone full on him and a figure crossing down toward him halted.
"Father! I was coming to find you. Something extraordinary has happened. I was coming to find you."
"Yes, Dick." The older man waited.
"I've just left Charley Owen at the house--you remember Charley Owen?"
"No."
"Oh, yes, you do--he's been here with--Jack. He was in Jack's class in college--in Jack's and Ben Armstrong's. He used to go on shooting trips with them both--often."
"I remember now."
"Yes, I knew you would." The young voice rushed on. "He has been away just now--down in Florida shooting--away from civilization. He got all his mail for a month in one lump--just now--two days ago. In it was a letter from Jack and Ben Armstrong, written that night, written together. Do you see what that means?"
"What!" The word was not a question, but an exclamation. "What--Dick!"
"Yes--yes. There were newspapers, too, which gave an account of the trial--the first he'd heard of it--he was away in the Everglades. He started instantly, and came on here when he had read the papers, and realized the bearing his letter would have on the trial. He has travelled day and night. He hoped to get here in time. Jack and Ben thought he was in New York. They wrote to ask him to go duck-shooting--with them. And, father--here's the most startling point of it all." As the man waited, watching his son's face, he groaned suddenly and made a gesture of despair.
"Don't, father--don't take it that way. It's good--it's glorious--it clears Jack. My uncle will be almost happy. But I wouldn't tell him at once--I'd be careful," he warned the other.
"What was it--the startling point you spoke of?"
"Oh--surely--this. The letter to Charley Owen spoke of Jack's new pistol--that pistol. Jack said they would have target-shooting with it in camp. They were all crack shots, you know. He said he had bought it that evening, and that Ben thought well of it. Ben signed the letter after Jack, and then added a postscript. It clears Jack--it clears him. Doesn't it, father? But I wouldn't tell my uncle just yet. He's not fit to take it in for a few hours--don't you think so?"
"No, I won't tell him--just yet."
The young man's wide glance concentrated with a flash on his father's face. "What is it? You speak queerly. You've just come from there. How is he--how is my uncle?"
There was