The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-09-10

we can do
Again she was conscious of a little
movement on the part Of the silent
man by the window. and she watched
with a curious sort Of fascination how
the pattern Of the dancing leaves out.
side was repeated In dancing sunbeams
upon the carpet within.
NO operationT she asked. But
Then her eyes went back TO Sir
James face
His own were bent down. He seem.
ed to be examining with the minutest
care an ivory paperknife In his hand
She observed that a small stag was
carved upon one end OF the paper
knife. she wondered idly whether be
had bought II In Switzerland o. where.
But" she continued after that queer
little pause. then t.is not serious ~
all. ! SUPPOSE
Sir James lifted his head quickly.
and their eyes met
SO profound a pity lay in them that
she drew back a tribe Her own eyes
never faltered. Only the hand that
held her handkerchief clutched Il 80
/ tightly that Il was almost pain.
Il have never had q harder thing 20
DO than this. Mrs. Ainslle." Sir james
said You must prepare FOR great
shock. very great shock We can
not operate. because an operation
would be useless. but the growth Is So
rorious q one that
1t will Kill me. DO you meanFT she
said And the color flashed over her
face. but she sat perfectly still, her
I eyes never leaving his.
/ Yes" he answered so gently that
| she almost smiled at him, that is what
| | mean"
{ "And-how many years Will II take
/ she asked. and she noticed how still
| her own voice was. ho~ her heart, that
/ had bounded wildly a second before.
was now beating quietly. "Or-will Il
/ perhaps be-a shorter timer
She could almost have sworn that
the gray eyes watching her grew dim.
She realized that the figure by the win
dow seemed TO be rigid IN its stiffness.
"It will be q shorter time than that"
The great doctors voice trembled a lit
/ tie
She was so very pretty-so very
young and pretty and fair and so beau
| tifully dressed. Ii was absurd 10 think
OF her clothes at such a moment, but IL
would have been easier 10 tell her II
| she had worn a shabby gown. IL flash
Ell into his mind that IL was like Kill
Ing a butterfly that was dancing in the
sunlight and yet
"A shorter tlme:' she interrupted his
thoughts.
lie leaned forward and laid his hand
upon her arm.
Yes" he said. Il know you will
face it bravely." His voice broke
again. Il do not think-it-will be
more than-a week, and we can do
nothing"
The silence in the room was like
something tangible, made more en-
phauc 10y the chirping Of the sparrows
IN the tree without and the distant
rumble Of busy London beyond.
1t was the little lady herself who
broke the silence.
THAT was a hard thing for you 20
tell me-" she said gently Then she
glanced down at her clinched hands.
"Do you know" she went on. and a
queer little smile fitted across her
face. Il have torn my handkerchief in
20 ribbons while l sat here. But-but IL
won't matter now, will IL, II il Is only
10 be worn a week.
There was no answer from either OF
her listeners. Words were impossible
I - nraIr "a aIFnfra . ION
dawned I'm Sir James eyes as he looked
into the bright, resolute ones that faced
him.
Thank you very much for breaking
II TO me $3.50 gently" she said in that
same smooth, even tone that never
trembled or changed. 1t is-a very
great surprise A-a-week-you sayT
The great man bowed his head. OBJ
viously he could not trust himself to
speak.
How strange" she said. Next week
there Is a big haH-and lam going-l
mean was goIng-my dress will come
home-and / How strange"
Or. Bryant turned abruptly from the
window. She saw that his eyes were
, fun OF tears.
1T IS SO hard quite 10 realize she
j went on, that things viii 90 on just
; the samc-and mot Doe here She
, paused, claucing out at the green tret
and the sunlight.
Butt ought not 10 take up youl
; time"-she rose and turned courteously
90 Sir James-"you have other people q
see-and / hope-I hope you VIII mol
have another verdict 10 gIye-like-
{ mine
For the first time her voice shook q
; little, but her eyes were still steady.
"Wnl you have a cab called Tor me
p DR.. Bryantf l SHOULD like 10 go stral lgh
P . home"
7 She walked from the great man'i
room with head erect and unfalterinl
3, steps. and, watching her. he said softl!
P 20 himself: 1T Is the women who so VI
{ 10 the cannon's mouth without turn
r ing a hair. What a plucky soul. NJ!
{ God, what pluCky SOUL"