Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-10-17

to say it! You must not!"
Miss Cartwright, in her superinten-
dents white uniform, stood facing the
doctor in the great bare Office of the
Emergency hospital. Her hand trem-
bled as she rested it on the desk at
her side, but the man saw no signs of
agitation. He was conscious only that
this slender woman was looking IN
falteringly into his eyes and that by
the tone of her voice she was filling
him with the numbness of despair.
Was 1t sheer force of will, or was it
= utter lack of emotion that kept the
face which confronted him so calm?
1t was almost a girlish face, with it's
delicate pallor and full red lips. The
eyes were dark and soft as a child's.
The marvellous white hair, that swept
shining back from her forehead, must
be what set her so apart from other
women, that and the clear resonance
Of her voice. He remembered the
,<1sound of a chapel bell that had once
come floating down to him from a
Swiss mountain height Yes, it was
like that. 1t echoed from the unmelt7
ing SHOWS.
DR.. Hudson knew that his own face
kept its professional mask, though he
s5faathed like 3 man who has been run
ming. A white-capped nurse glanced
In az the door and slipped away before
he spoke again.
1t is quite useless to ask me to be
silent now. When a man has lived to
be DO he doesn't give up easily the first
woman he has ever loved. 1t Is three
years since | hrst saw you, coming
down the corridor toward me, your
hair Hike an aureole around your head,
three years that | have loved you and
have been silent"
Miss Cartwright's lips opened. "But
have not
~ mo, you have not. l have had nc
reason to think you could care for me
You have always been thoroughly pro
fessional," and he smiled. ut is just
that The strain OF this life is kill
ing you. know so well what it is.
wanted to take you out of it,
He turned away from her TO thu
window, where a dreary March rail-
beat against the glass. A little brown
bird. with drenched wings, fiuttered III
on the ledge and finding no shelte
from the storm, flew off against tn,
wind.
DR.. Hudson went on bitterly; at i
fitting name they have given you
Moonlight, Lady Moonlight" 1t 1
what you are; cold and pale and beau
'tiful-to drive men madi"
The woman drew in her breatl
sharply. Il have told you that thi
hurts me, hurts me deeply You hav
been my good friend, but now-yo
are cruel!"
Forgive me! do not mean to be!
He crossed to her quickly, putting hi
firm, warm hand over her cold on
that rested on the desk, and locke
straight into her eyes. will you te
me that you do not love me?"
The red left her lips. but she face
him dauntlessly. 81 have told 20
that l cannot marry you"
THAT is not my answer. If the tim
ever comes when you can love M
when you do love me, will you com
to me and tell me2'
She spoke hurriedly for the fir
time. "You have no right-how shoul
L know that you-?"
you will know, and you will tell m
Promise!"
They looked at each other loI
moment, his strength against her
then her eyes fell.
"Yes!" she said it breathlessly, eye
I will"
He turned and left her without loo
ing back.
Two months later the hospital a
PENDANTS brought a stretcher throu:
the great doors and down the ha
Upon it lay the huddled and appareI
ly lifeless form of a man, with ba
daged head. Miss Cartwright, eros
ing the corridor, caught sight of t
patients death-white face, and b
own grew whittier still
NO not the public ward; bring h
IN herel" and she threw open the dc
Of a private room.
The men looked their amazement
her strange tone and the unusual CO
mand.
Miss Norse"--to a nurse who b
entered-"send DR.. Hudson to me
once. He is making the rounds Y
need not come back"
The men followed the nurse fr
the room and closed the door. VI
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