The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-07-18
CHAPTER THE LAST. !
LIFE AID LOVE.

Everybody at the hospital continued
to show the most extraordinary inter
est and sympathy with Katie during
her short convalescence. The senior
physician spoke mysteriously Of JOY as
n great assistance in cases where the
patient had been brought low by trou-
Bile; she also said that freedom from
anxiety would be found an Invaluable
medicine; and that rest from every
kind of work with perhaps travel amid
new scenes, would complete her cure.
She said these ridiculous things just as
if rest and ease and travel were attain
able, and within the reach Of the poor
est girl in all London. Then the Sister,
most sober minded and practical per-
son, free from all ,nthusiasms, agreed
with the senior physician, and slid that
she was always right, as her patient
would find. Then the secretary used
to sit by her bedside and whisper that,
after all, there was no cure SO good
as happiness. And SO with everybody.
The other patients were all in the
same tale, and would tell her that she
was happy girl, and no one envied
her, because she deserved all. Why,
even when visitors came to see other
patients there used to be a great whis-
pering, and the visitors would look at
her curiously.
Kate mended fast-and one afternoon
her friend, Miss Wifloughby, told her
that the time had now come when she
could leave the hospital.
"And now, my dear" she said, "you
are to have surprise. Oh, what 4
lot of things l have to tell you! l
heard yesterday what the doctor-oh,
she is wise woman,-Said about Joy.
Yes, joy is beautiful medicine. Thank
God, know it in my own case. Now
there is no luggage to pack up, is
there"
II am the only girl in the world"
said Katie-"the only girl, believe,
who has got no luggage. no posses
sions, no money, no friends, and no
relations"
"Yes; which will make all that fo!-
lows the more delightful. You may
add, my dear, that you have got no
clothes"
mo clothes?
"Why-you could not possibly go to
the House of Joy in such poor, shabby
things as you had on when we brought
you here. .. ..
Katie, I am in mourning, you
know
MY dear''-she kissed her-"nobOdy
knows it better than do. Sometimes,
however, We put off mourning JOY
full occasions-say, for weddings. To-
morrow, if you like, you may put it
on again"
Her new clothes were fitting for a
young lady, being, in fact, much finer
than anything the poor girl had ever
worn in her life before, but Katie put
them on without word.
where have you brought me?"
Katie looked about the room. They
had come in cab; it was o'clock;
outside it was dark already; they were
in a room beautifully furnished, with
all sorts of pretty things in it; the
lamp was lighted, and OH the table tea
was standing in readiness.
MY dear, you must not ask too many
questions, because / have got such a
lot to tell you. Oh, how shall ever
begin! First, you shall have a cup OF
tea-and so will I-nothng in the world
like cup OF tea. Formerly ladies
drank small beer Think of that! Is
it sweet enough, dear? Oh, Katie-1
am so happy tonight" She stopped in
her talk to kiss her. This is my room
is it not q pretty room? And now l
am going to give it up to my sister, be-
cause l am going to be married-you
know that, don't you? My lover, who
was dead, has come back to life again,
and nothing will please him-the fool
ish boy but that l must marry him
at once. Oh, if your lover could come
back, too And shall never have such
| pretty room as this again. | am sure.
But shall have him instead. He was
in Egypt, you know. like your boy
Tom-poor Tom Addison. My boy
knew Tom Addison very well. He will
talk TO you about him if you like y
She stopped and kissed her again, and
again the tears came into her eyes.
"NelI, it was all in the papers, and
dare say you saw it There was m