completely during my illness, and that by God's mercy, while I
lay in that hospital, I knew no more than a babe; they say, because I
could not speak or move, and only had my food as nature required it,
that I was an imbecile, and that I never really came to my senses until
after my son found me in the hospital. They SAY that--but I tell you
to-night, Alvin Mulrady," he said, raising his voice to a hoarse
outcry, "I tell you that it is a lie! I came to my senses a week after
I lay on that hospital cot; I kept my senses and memory ever after
during the three years that I was there, until Harry brought his cold,
hypocritical face to my bedside and recognized me. Do you understand?
I, the possessor of millions, lay there a pauper. Deserted by wife and
children--a spectacle for the curious, a sport for the doctors--AND I
KNEW IT! I heard them speculate on the cause of my helplessness. I
heard them talk of excesses and indulgences--I, that never knew wine or
woman! I heard a preacher speak of the finger of God, and point to me.
May God curse him!"

"Go slow, old man; go slow," said Mulrady, gently.

"I heard them speak of me as a friendless man, an outcast, a
criminal--a being whom no one would claim. They were right; no one
claimed me. The friends of others visited them; relations came and
took away their kindred; a few lucky ones got well; a few, equally
lucky, died! I alone lived on, uncared for, deserted.

"The first year," he went on more rapidly, "I prayed for their coming.
I looked for them every day. I never lost hope. I said to myself,
'She has not got my letter; but when the time passes she will be
alarmed by my silence, and then she will come or send some one to seek
me.' A young student got interested in my case, and, by studying my
eyes, thought that I was not entirely imbecile and unconscious. With
the aid of an alphabet, he got me to spell my name and town in
Illinois, and promised by signs to write to my family. But in an evil
moment I told him of my cursed fortune, and in that moment I saw that
he thought me a fool and an idiot. He went away, and I saw him no
more. Yet I still hoped. I dreamed of their joy at finding me, and
the reward that my wealth would give them. Perhaps I was a little weak
still, perhaps a little flighty, too, at times; but I was quite happy
that year, even in my disappointment, for I had still hope!"

He paused, and again composed his face with his paralyzed hand;