The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-24
EQUAL PARTNERS
By HOWARD FIELDING
81.
Copyright. 1901. by Charles W. Hooke.
By HOWARD FIELDING
wright. 1901. by Charles W. Hooke.

the dark angel. A physician will hear
many people say that they do not
wish to recover, but most of them will
wait until after the danger is over be-
fore giving utterance to words which
the supernal powers may take too seri.
ously.
Dr.. Kendall was not in the least pre-
pared to hear such an expression from
this particular patient. He would have
said that she was one who enjoyed
life, every minute of it. Certainly she
was as full Of natural vitality as a
young fawn in the woods. Plainly
Brenda was at least as much surprised
as Kendall, and the physician awaited
her response with critical interest. If
she should ask an explanation or offer
an argument, it would show that she
had not the instinct of the nurse. 1t
was in the nature of an examination,
and Brenda passed it with great credit.
"lf you will tell me may stay" she
said, II will do something that will
make you feel much better"
you know that l want you to stay"
! said Elsie. ut was very. very good
Of you to come, and l thank you tru-
~"
Such being the case" replied Bren-
| da, II am going to fix your hair. One
! moment. while make myself ready.
And now" she added, don't move;
not muscle. See, can reach it with
out the slightest trouble"
And with cool and steady bands she
arranged the brown masses in which
there lurked strange glow like red
gold In the sun. 1t was cleverly done.
Elsie felt the caressing hands, but they
were SO deft that not tremor reached
the wound. DR.. Kendall, observing
closely, nodded his head as one who
considers a question satisfactorily set
tied.
"Such beautiful harp said Brenda.
"Yon must be very vain of it,"
But Elsie averred that she did not
care for dark hair; it was so common.
She would much rather have Brenda's.
'"Ihe entente cordiale Is now fully es-
tablished," said Kendall. Miss Mac
lane, the patient is in your hands.
shall expect her to be playing golf In
about u week. 1t won't be necessary
for you to assist me any further, DR..
Johnson" he continued, addressing his
colleague. Il will join you in my
room"
Dr. Johnson bowed and Withdrew.
DR.. Kendall took scat by the bed,
and without appearing to do anything
particularly important he determined
with great thorouglness the condition
of his patient. Not all that he observed
would be comprehensive by layman.
The most conspicuous feature in the
case was the Improvement Of Elsie's
spirits. She spoke checrfully TO Bren-
da and seemed " have acquired in so
short a time certain dependence up
on her Then, almost as she was speak,
ing her eyes closed, her hands upon
the white covclet relaxed, and she fell
asleep.
Kendall and Brenda watched her in
silence for moment while the profess
sional nurse. who had remained in at
tendance, adjusted the shades upon the
electric lights.
while she sleeps" whispered Bren- i
ia, II would like to telephone to my
father. DR.. Johnson told me that Mr..
Alden is probably still held at the sta.
ton. He must be or he would be here.
My father must try to secure his re-
lease. by the way, Of course Miss Mil
Ter asked for him.
For Mr.. Alden? Yes" replied Ken.
dali.
What did you tell herr"
1--WE said that he had sent all sorts Of
kind messages and that he received
reports from us. but that she
must not ask to see him before tonor-
row."
did she plead to see him at once:'
asked Brenda.
Kendall hesitated for a moment while
hey were passing silently out of the
'uOm.
Miss Miller is very obcdicnt pa
lent" he said. NO one could give
css trouble"
"Wcll?' rcjoincd Brenda. please
proceed"
~ don't quite understand"
"You have something moro to say"
ut occurred to me-" said Kendall
lowiy, that she exhibited less ankle
y to see Mr.. Alden than should have
expected"
This statement seemed to furnish
'renda with abundant food for
bought. She said nothing as they
reversed the long corridor, and Ken.
all also was silent. After Brenda
ad sent the message to her father
he conferred with Kendall in regard
her remaining in the hospital as
Isles nurse aud then dispatched her
laid under James escort for such
Iings as she would need. I
The departure Of the servants left
renda and Kendall alone in the re-
option room.
II wish you would tell me more
bout Miss Miller" said she. Il can
1t understand why she should not 5
ave wished to see Mr.. Alden"
Il did not say that" responded Ken !
Ill. ut was her manner that struck
G as peculiar"
"She seems as unaffected and impul- Z
We as a child" said Brenda. II can \
,agine her asking for Mr.. Alden us n
lturally as if he had been a drink Of J.
atpr."
To be continued.
Fort Eciawsra IN Re Indian soIo~t.