Good-bye, good-bye, dearest and best. Time is nothing, but I
shall count the hours. Good-bye...."
Even as she strained me to her breast I awoke.
[Illustration: "GOOD-BYE"]
* * * * *
I awoke, and knew that the dread black shadow of melancholia had passed
away from me like a hideous nightmare--like a long and horrible winter.
My heart was full of the sunshine of spring--the gladness of awaking to
a new life.
I smiled at my night attendant, who stared back at me in astonishment,
and exclaimed----
"Why, sir, blest if you ain't a new man altogether. There, now!"
I wrung his hand, and thanked him for all his past patience, kindness,
and forbearance with such effusion that his eyes had tears in them. I
had not spoken for weeks, and he heard my voice for the first time.
That day, also, without any preamble or explanation, I gave the doctor
and the chaplain and the governor my word of honor that I would not
attempt my life again, or any one else's, and was believed and trusted
on the spot; and they unstrapped me.
I was never so touched in my life.
In a week I recovered much of my strength; but I was an old man. That
was a great change.
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