Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-07-03

| way as he went on. The doctor has
told me all about it, and | am-you
don't know how pleased | am"
81 am afraid she replied, blush
ing a little, that l have been very
much oyerrated." She was looking
away from him, through the narrow
window, at the cleaning paddock be-
yond.
you were with me day and night, "
he continued with a bright smile, and
not taking any notice of her last
words; the head surgeon said you
never left me except to take the three
OF four hours rest that he required
Again the color rushed to Aline
Winston's face, and she turned away
her head to avoid his glance.
1T was my simple duty'-she be-
! gan, "and-and'-she broke off
weakly in the middle of her protest,
and went across the room to lower
the shade.
There is not another woman in
the hospital, I'll venture, who can
do her duty so well, he said.
While he was speaking he forced
the appeal of his honest eyes upon
her. and. resistless, she turned to
meet them, half parting her lips to
speak 1T is very kind in YOU to
say So" she said with a smile. Her
lashes dropped until they swept her
flushed cheeks. and the soldier. see
ing it, felt a strange thrill 90 through
him.
"Aline"-he commenced eagerly,
half-raising himself on one weak
arm. "I-I"-he broke off, little
uncertainty, and a tide of crimson
for moment swept over his face
Then he sank weakly back upon his
pillow, his eyes still fixed upon the
face of his companion, as she stood
carelessly arranging the bottles and
papers on a table near by.
You mustn't talk any more now /
she was saying. That's the doctors /
order, you know"
Deering opened his lips to speak, !
but she held up a warning finger. !
Some other time-perhaps to-mor- /
row. But YOU must 90 to sleep now. |
III be back later TO see how well you .
can obey
The lieutenant settled himself |
back with a rueful little sigh and I
closed his eyes. However, be gave /
himself up to a delicious sense of /
rest and fell asleep, conscious only
that she was near him and with a
sort Of vague longing that he might
keep her there always.
Il am so glad you have come at
last said Deering that afternoon,
with a sigh of relief, Il thought you
never would"
Aline smiled down into his half
petulant face, as she smoothed the
pillows on his cot and sat down at
the head of it with book.
This is my third visit since morn
ing with a playful little nod of re-
proach, but you were SO taken up
with pleasant dreams that l really
hated to disturb you"
Did ! really sleep 50 very long,
them"
"Only about four or FIVE hours"
How do you know that my dreams
we're pleasant"
"Oh, can tell. For one thing
you were smiling and"
"And:-Did l say things?"
"Marvelousp
Deering glanced up at her quickly,
a sudden curious expression showing
IN his face. What was it,"
IT." Aline smiled in a tantaliz-
ng little way. 'That is the disadvan-
age of being an invalid" she replied.
you just gave yourself dead away
as they say"
Wont you tell me?" he queried,
gistfully, lifting to her a pair of en-
.reating eyes.
Pm afraid"
"You must tell me-" he broke in
excitedly, "else | shall have to either
get sick again or threaten you with
narrative of the dream myself"
"The latter would in all probabili-
y be the more discreet calamity"