The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-03
MY LADY MOONLIGHT
BY MABEL A. RUNDELL.

Copyright, 1903,by Daily Story Pub. Co.
"Oh, no, DR.. Hudson, 1 beg you not
to say it, You must notl"
Miss Cartwright, in her superin-
tendent's white uniform, stood facing
the doctor in the great bare office of
the Emergency hospital. Her hand
trembled 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
unfalteringly into his eyes and that by
the tone of her voice she was filing
him with the numbness of despair.
Was it sheer force of will, or was it
utter lack of emotion that kept the
face which confronted him so calm?
1t was almost girlish face, with its
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
sound of chapel bell that had once
come floating down to him from a
Swiss mountain height. Yes, it was
like that 1t echoed from the unmeit-
ing SHOWS.
DR.. Hudson knew that his own face
Kept It's professional mask, though he
breathed like man who has been run
ming. A white-capped nurse glanced
in at 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 forty he doesn't give up easily the
first woman he has ever loved. 1t is
| three years since first saw you, COM
| ing down the corridor toward me, your
60i ilyaa 10 h.
three years that l have loved you and
have been silent"
Miss Cartwright's lips opened. "But
have not"
NO, you have not have had no
reason to think you could care for me.
You have always been thoroughly pro-
fessionaI." and he smiled. 1T is just
that. The strain of this life is killing
you. I know so we'll what it is.
wanted to take you out of it,"
He turned away from her to the
window, where a dreary March rain
beat against the glass. A little brown
bird, with drenched wings, fiuttered up
on the ledge, and finding no shelter
from the storm, flew off against the
wind.
DR.. Hudson went ON bitterly at is
fitting name they have given you
| Moonlight, Lady Moonlight 1t is
what your are; cold and pale and
| beautiful-to drive men mad!"
The woman drew in her breath
! sharply. Il have told you that this
| hurts me, hurts me deeply. You have
been my good friend, but now-you
are cruel!"
Forgive me! do not mean to bel"
| He crossed to her quickly, putting his
firm, warm hand over her cold one
| that rested on the desk, and looked
! straight into her eyes. ''Will you tell
me that you do not love me?"
The red left her lips, but she faced
| him dauntlessly Il have told you that
cannot marry YOU
THAT is not my answer. If the time
ever comes when you can love me,
when you do love me, will you come to
me and tell me?''
She spoke hurriedly for the first time.
''You have no right-how should 1
know that you ~"
you will know. and you will tell me.
Promisei"
They looked at each other a long
| moment, his strength against hers. then
her eyes fell
"Yes!" she said breathlessly; t"'yes,
Wilt"
He turned and left her without look
ing back.
Two months later the hospital at
| tendants brought Stretcher through
the great doors and down the hall.
Upon it lay the huddled and apparent
ly lifeless form of man. with BAN
daged head Miss Cartwright. crossing
the corridor. caught sight of the pa
TENTS death-white face. and her own
grew whittier still.
mo: not the public ward. Bring
him in here!" and she threw open the
door of a private room.
The men looked their amazement at