The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-28

ginning to end When he had finished he
got out his typewriter and began to work,
though it was after midnight, his face
white but set and determined
Sometimes on fine day Sidney Bourne
would be taken into Regents Park in his
wheeled chair and walk slowly UP and
down the sunny paths with the help of a
stick. He was taking this not very exhll-
saw Lillian Blandford walking toward
him. He flushed painfully and leaned
against a convenient seat, while his eyes
noted every movement of the light, grace
cate dress she seemed like the embodi-
| ment of Spring Il am SO glad to see
your she cried. holding out her hand
Can you stop and talk to me for little
| while? and she sat down.
Il am not engaged on anything very
important at present" he answered, with
a smile-"only going through hateful
duty. l wonder if nv doctor knows whai
longing comes over me to run and
jump when l shuttle up and down here
in the sunshine while he would think IL
does me so much good?' Somehow ne
could talk to this girl as he could to nc
one else.
He had his reward, for he saw her eyes
grow soft with sympathy. as rule he
hated pity, and would never refer to the
weakness he despised.
1T is dreadful for you." she said, gent
ly. Il wonder how you can be so pa
IleHI.
"Patient?" he echoed with laugh. "If
you knew all the bad language l have
used to my sofa cushions! But enough
of me. What do you want to talk to me
about?"
II am not quite happy about Eric. -
she said, her face shadowing. There is
something wrong with him, l am sure,
ard 1 thought you might row what 1t Is:
| met him by chance the other day and
'as horrif 81 at the change in him.
he ha haen W ,rkinR ha.A but
it looked more than that"
Yes, something is the matter, Sid
ney acknowledged, but l cannot tell you
what. l do not know myself. He keeps
little of him lately. When he is not out
and though he was always fond of So
ciety, naturally enough, being such IA
vorite, he was never as little at home
as he Is now-he sits up in his own
room At first l tried to find out what
was wrong, but he would only say that
he was busy, so 1 had to leave him
alone"
anxiously rs he Ill, do you think? 1t
can't be worry over me-" with a pretty
blush, for when we met the other day
he told me things were going as well as
possible. He said he was prepared to
risk his soul to win me-and he had:
Wasn't 1t a curious thing to say? And
he said it in such a curious way, too.
can't forget it. l don't feel that | am
betraylng any confidence in telling you.
for l know what friends you are, and
have no one else 1 can talk to about him.
He told you things were going on all
right: that seems that he will be able
to fulfll your fathers conditions.
Il suppose So" softly. II was always
proud of him, but lately he has excelled
himself. These stories and articles of his
in The Empire and splendid. He had
never got up as high as a half crown
magazine before-I think | inust have
inspired him. with happy laugh.
II am glad to hear this. l very sell
dom read the magazines. and l did not
know Eric was contributing to The EN-
pire He has told me nothing of late
II have just bought the last number
would you like to see it ?"'she said. 1T
is a shame he should have kept you in the
dark when you have been such good
friend to him" And she made Sidney
take the ma gazine she carried. Now
must say goodby. Try and find out what
is wrong, and whether l. can do any
thing. 1t makes me miserable for Eric
to be unhappy only wish | could have
a long talk with him myself.
II will do what I can, but l confess
He deserves a good lecture for worrying
you
Don't be hard on him." coaxingly
He is not as strong and self-reliant as
| you are; he wants tender treatment. BE
kind to him for my sake"
For your sake" he repeated slowly
| looking away from her. Did she think
that because of his infi-mity the warn
| bl Dod of youth had grown stagnant in his
| vains-that he was quite outside the pale
! of feeling? He S very dear to you