The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-09-03

various physicians who had treated
her Then She resolved to make
diagnosis herself. She consulted the
physician in charge and was informed
that it was a most battling case-al-
most altogethS a matter of nerves
| He hoped to send the patient to GER
! tain European watering place the fol-
| lowing summer. If she could only get
| start and arouse the vital forces,
take an interest in life, he believed the
recovery would be rapid. He could
| find no organic disease, etc, etc, etc.
"Tll arouse the vital forces and give
| her an interest in life" muttered Bet
tie.
"Oh, dear, what a piece of luck" she
exclaimed a few days later, bursting
/ into the dining-roOm while breakfast
was serving. Here is my old chum,
Rose Wagner, who roomed with me
for a year at Paris, coming here on
visit. She is going to visit friends at
the Newcomb, only three blocks away.
My, but won't we have a giddy time.
You'll like her immensely, both Of
you"
This was the beginning of a series Of
doings which entirely changed the at
mosphere of .the Franklin home. If
Bette was a lively piece, Rose was a
terror, and between the two there was
something going on every minute.
Rose was as pretty as picture, too,
with her deep olive complexion, spark
ling black eyes and rebellious raven
hair 1t was just one round of thea
ters, parties. automobile rides and a
thousand and one other festivities. At
first the invalid felt relieved to have
them all away. Then the glowing ac-
counts of the fun began to pail and she
grew strangely unresponsiye.
Does Miss Wagner spend any time
at all withrhe friends she is visiting?"
she asked Bette one day with just the
shadow of a sheer in her voice.
"That's just what | was asking her
yesterday" responded Bette, prompt
! ly. ITS perfectly scandalous, isn't
1.-THE way she runs away from them
and goes with US. She says it doesn't
make any difference-it's an old uncle
and aunt with whom she is staying
and they are glad to be rid of enter
tanning her It's rather funny, too.
She never seemed to care so much for
gayety when we were in Paris"
And, do you know" Bette ratified
on, 81 am afraid Dick is paying too
much attention to her. OF course
there isn't any undue interest on his
part. but folks will talk, you know,
and they certainly seem to enjoy each
others company. Why last night at
the Duncans' party Dick danced six
times with Rose. l think you ought
to speak to him about it,"
Nonsense" replied the invalid, but
she looked thoughtful.
1t went on for several days with
something going on every night. All
the talk was about a grand ball to be
given by the commandery to which
Richard belonged on a certain Thurs
day evening. On Tuesday evening,
after listening to the two young
women plan their costumes all the
afternoon and watching Richards
eyes sparkle in anticipation as the
event was discussed at the dinner
table Orchards eyes had not sparkled
like that for many months, she re-
membered), Mrs. Franklin remarked:
Richard, l think l will go to the
commandery ball Thursday evening"
you, Nellie,' he exclaimed, drop
ping his paper in surprise.
Eyes, | have been feeling much bet.
ter for several days" she replied
sweetly, land l got up and dressed and
I walked in the garden for an hour OF
more this afternoon. l was surprise ed
to find how strong l was"
But a ball." expostulated the hus
band, bewildered. "You have not beer
to any sort of a gathering for a veal
or more-isn't-isn't a ball a trife
strong for a starter? Won't yor
overdo and be fiat down again?"
mo, | think not" responded Nellie
decidedly. Anyway, l am going tc
make the experiment. | have beer
looking over my gowns and I know
can fix one up in two days with Bet
ties help and the maids"
And go she did And what is more
she danced-not once, but severa
> times, with Richard And when she
didn't dance she kept him beside hel
most of the time. And it didn't iniur,
!, her a particle. To the contrary il
: seemed to renew her youth. Two day!
h later she joined Richard and the girl
! at an automobile party and becam,
d thereafter regular member of tn,
e party to the great delight of her hus
t band. The roses came back to heI
e cheeks and her interest in life re
t turned.
d Bette and Rose had most scanda
: lous session one evening pending
:. their departure for their severa
homes.
:, at was so good of you, dear" ex
= claimed Bette, effusively. 81 wouldn'
q have asked it, but 1 couldn't think o
V any other way"
d cts all right, dear" responded
Rose, giggling. 81 never had bette
e time in my life. And such a success
: Let's hang out single, Franklin &
y Wagner, physicians and surgeons
f nervous invalidism a speciality" Thel