The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-14
THE CONFERENCE.

ting by the bed, for stuart was stu In
Eric's cottage. His accident had been 30
serious that there had been no thought
OF his removal. During the anxious days
and nights Eric had hardly left Stuart's
side Andrew had begged 10 be allowed
TO watch. but Eric had insisted upon his
prior right and had refused to give way
10 any one else.
There was another watcher who more
than Andrew regarded Eric jealously. ana
that was a woman who stole into the
cottage often with the Doctors coming
and remained. dry eyed and pale. with
the hearts hunger OF love staring out or
great eyes that burned over Stuart as n
by very force OF compelling affection they
would rouse him into knowledge and life
again. Rhena did not try to hide the
feeling she now had. The doctor came
in quietly that day while Eric was sitting
asleep at the side or Stuart. exhausted by
his great vigil. and found Rhena on her
knees praying. The intensity OF her de-
sire for Stuart's life broke out into an
audible petition.
30 Lord my God. save him! What has
ne done to die? oh, how can say. Thy
will be done?' / never loved him before
Spare him, God OF all goodness! He is so
others who would be less. God. what am
/ saying? But he is my lover! And he
does not know that I love him.
beg pardon" interrupted the doctor
''but you're mistaken about that. He
knows II perferctly well. Just tell him
four or five times more IL you think II
Is necessary"
Rhena turned her head toward Stuart
He lay there with his eyes open for the
first time In days. really conscious and
with smile on his face which was
heaven to her. She simply turned on her
knees and bowed her head over Stuarts
hand and put her lips to II. and then. TO
the doctors surprise, she fell over and
tainted
'It beats all creation what these wo-
men can spring in the way OF surprises
on a mani" said the doctor as he picked
Rhena up and carried her over to a coucn
at the other end OF the room.
Eric had started out of his doze. ana
Stuart had shut his eyes again lspsing
into his former stupor. but still with
smile on his lips But II any lass has
a right TO faint this one has Are you
going to tumble OFF again. ma'am7" ne
asked as Rhena began TO come to. ''You
can II you want TO. Do you want TO cry7
Come. that's a good girl! Cry little. Itll
do us all good. Want a handkerchief
Here's mine"
Rhena sat up. suddenly and seized Sax
on's hand. "Oh. doctor he will get well.
won't De? He Is better? There Is hoper
He knew me for moment You do be-
lieve my prayer will be answered."
Rhena was crying softly. She was
broken and nervous with the great STRAIN
of the last two weeks
"rve heard worse prayers get at
tended to-" replied the doctor shortly.
But do you think-oh, doctor, II is
death to me TO think of-tell me. what
do you fear9 Is he-will he liver"
The doctor shut his lips tight Rhena
NJ x.~tth otNAa n1t, ,nha a1
hard over his. She did not know II. but
her slim fingers hurt even the Doctors
rugged, knotty fists. Finally he an
swered her. II ,hink, yes. / am quite
sure, now that he knows that you care
for him little, there is fighting
chance"
Care for him a lttle!" replied Rhena,
with a smile that melted the doctor COM
pletely. Doctor. were you ever In lover
NO" replied the doctor. but II / WAS
I'dd have TO put up still another band
stand In the square. One apiece wouldn't
be too much for three such fools as you
and Stuart and me-.
Whats that nonsense he's talking"
asked Eric. coming over to the end OF the
room where they were.
'It was not nonsense" said Rhena.
with more color in her face than IL had
seen since the day Stuart had first spoken
TO her. She went over to the side OF Stu
art and sat down there watching him.
She had a great hope now. The doctor
also told the truth. And indeed, he after
ward said. nothing but love brought Stu
art out alive.
i've heard that people who were in
love could live on nothing" the doctor
said, 'hut do believe II Stuart hadn't
come to himself long enough that day to
hear that little prayer I'd have had two
funerals on my hands pretty quick. Welt.
/ never understood these women. There
she was one minute as limp as a dead
FISH and the next she wa as lively as n
Salvation Army tambourine. II ] could
get this article they call love fixed UP In
q prescription and deal IL out In severe
eases, believe Il would do more good
than all the microhe killers on earth
Those we're wonderful days when Stuart
was declared out OF danger. Andrew
celebrated by bringing over his choicest
blossoms. He ranged two pots Of roses on
q table where Stuart could see them and
laid a beautiful white carnation on the
bed within reach OF stuart's fingers.
TITS the only one rve been able TO get
this winter. Stuart. Isn't II a beauty?
Ite new variety. Do you know what
I've called n? took the liberty 10
call II the Rhena Dwight -
When Rhena came I'm a few minutes
after Andrew and Eric pretended TO be
busy talking at the other end OF the
room.
Stuart picked up the carnation and
spoke feebly. but the light OF life was
IN his eyes This blossom II called the
Rhena Dwight, so Andrew says. VIII
you take IL because OF the love I bear
your"
i Rhena took the flower and kissed H.
Then she shyly placed the blossom
against Stuart's lips. Then she laid IL
down again I'm his hand.
mo" she said: you keep the Rhena
Dwight for the love l have for YOU"
Is II any wonder Stuart grew well with
great rapidity after that?
In n week he was almost we'll. lie
was able 20 take part In the discussions
which forced themselves into that little
room I'm spite Of all Eric could do.There
had been three weeks almost n blank 20
Stuart. but full OF horror and misery
for the miners on ell the ranges. The
f,re that dreadful night had made 300 or
COO people homeless. The deaths from
fever had lessened some In Champion.
N .H ~ 4