The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11

SyM @ LKE$ brenths had lowered in-
SaNMGHH1Ng pnlpably about the whole
fSNMBf place; but now all was
AA utterly quiet. His own
regular football nlono dis
- ~ 1922 turbed the unnatural stni-
lcss OF a large house.
Outside the delicious october sun poured down through
In atmosphere OF faultless blue. Tho foliage was thick
vet, and the red and yellow leaves danced heartlessly In
The wind. A year ago they had gone on a nutting party.
Ind claricc had raced with tho children and picked up
more than anybody else. Now-even to think of her
brought that faint odor OF salts OF lavender and beef tea
that disheartened him SO. somehow. when he sat by her
bed coaxing her into slipping the stuff
some ono was coming down the stairs. It was Peters
Itcp-his new one since last Friday, when they had ALL It
seemed begun to walk and talk and breathe a little diff
rerently. Belden. hurried across the room and caught him
1T the foot OF the steps.
well. old man, how goes TT" he demanded. with a
determined cieerfulncss. 4oi sretaaift All
His brother in-law stared at him ernptily.
Its tomorrow" he said, gripping the newell post, ITO
morrow afternoon. jameson Is comIng-thcy'll do 1t here.
Jameson brings his special nurse for the-the operation. but
the other one Is due at 6. and you get her just the same.
/ told Henry to put up the dogcart. I don't know. though
INA be the runabout-no. the tires loose. Still 1t might
to-
For heavens sake. Peter. don't bother about It! I'll
ind n rig. What else docs he, say?"
"He says there's q good fighting chance-a very good
pre-. He says her grit alone OH, Belden. what shall we
10? What shall We do?"
Peter sat down heavily on the lowest stair.
only last week she was so well-and yet she really
wasn't. I suppose he knows. But 1t doesn't seem posi-
bel can't get 1t through my head. Poor little Caddy!
She never had n sick day In her life. No headaches, like
most women; even, no nonsense Oh, Belden, what shall
wedogy
Brace up. Peter-,hink what a good fighting chance
means; think OF that! It's not as II Caddy were old;
She has that on her side. She's seven years behind me,
you know" ~ . Ht9A
Peter scowled. You're 81, aren't your
49, 4. *. * i. - sS =. :.
Not a bit. Only IS, and just that. too. Now you so
put and get the nurse, and III stay here. tn do you q
lot of good. Don't nope around in the house all day
what's the use? %
81 can't leave the house. Honestly. Belden. 1 can't.
I've tried twice. and Just walk right back. It's no good.
There's the Garland you won't be long. will your
Beden took up the reins with q vague sense OF mo-
mcntary relief: 1T was something to do. Under the innu-
ence of the fresh autumn afr his spirits rose: he found
himself enjoying the swift rattle OF the cart and the beat
If the horses feet. After all. think of caddys grit: think
Of her fine constitution "A fighting chance-that was 1T
he enough to say. though. Why couldn't he have put 1t
! little stronger? Hitchcock was always a pesslmist.
At the station the usual crowd Of wel-drcssed sub
urbanites quieted their horses and waited impatiently for
the express. AS Belden drew up into line. they greeted
him with a subdued Interest; coachmen left their seats
to ask how Mrs. Moore was today. and when could one
zee her? A sudden mist came over his eyes as no an
Ewcred brieny, Very soonI hope"
The train Numbered in; in an incredibly short time
al tho guests and commuters were hurried off toward
5town-whcre was that nurse?
AS his glance wandered through tho thinning crowd,
~ was huSSa luz Eoio W w pIOWhS q
In a fresh. pink face, framed by dark hair lightly sprln-
killed. with gray. The second that he looked into that wom-
ln's eyes taught him her character. absolutely, as finally
as II he had grown up with her. One could trust her to
the last ditch. he thought.
She walked straight up to the cart. IT am tho nurse
rent for by DR.. Hitchcock. Arc you Mr.. Moore2
II am Mrs. Moore's brother-Mr. Belden.' he ex-
planned. Have you your checks?"3
SThat Is all arranged she returned briefly. 'I am all
ready. May I ask you to hurry? DR.. Hitchcock was
anxious for mo to see her before 6, when the fever be-
gins"
Ills nerves were more sharply edged than he knew: an
instant irritation seized him..
There is plenty Of room in the back OF the cart" he
Insisted. the express people are very uncertain. Would
You not better give me the checks?"
she swung herself up beside him with a firm. assured
motion; for a heavily built woman she Carried herself
very lightly.
~ think not" she said, decidedly: ,the man has
started, I am sure. l would rather lose no time"
Vie bowed and started the horse; he dlsnked her al
ready. 10 q deep-seatcd. Involuntary disgust that any
woman should have to earn her living he added a dis
pleased wonder that one should choose this method OF
soing 1t. There must be disagreeable details connected
With 1t. embarrassments. absolute indIgritIes-why did
they not marry? This woman was good-looking enough.
She was very observation-disclosures dictatorial. His Idea of
Womanhood was hopelessly confused with clouds of white
tulle. appealing eyes. and a desire for guidance. It was
Impossible to connect any of these characteristics with
the woman beside him.
For a while they drove In silence. Then computation
seized him. and he remarked on the beauty of the foliage.
She assented easily, but seemed no more relieved by tho
ppeech than embarrassed. by the silence. IT was impossl-
BILE to treat her na q hired servant: one felt o strong per-
fonality IN. her. Before they reached tho house he was
1earching for conversation that should not bore her.
AS they stepped into the wide hail. where he obs
served with n shade OF displeaspro that her luggage had
BONE before them, DR., Hitchcock met them.
"Ah, Miss Strong, glad to see YOU. Come right up.
On time, as usual, OF course! I was afraid you couldn't
make II. Jameson comes tomorrow, you know--'
They We're Up the stairs; Belden stood Idly In the hall