The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-08-14
The Greater
Happiness.
BY NANCY BRENT.
Copyrighted. 1907. by E. G. Parcells..

y: Copyrighted, 1907, by E. G. PARCELS =:
.
Miss Ryland turned from the window
where she stood picking the withered
blossoms from the azalea and looked
at her patient.
you seem restless. Would you like
me to read to you awhile?' she asked.
"I'd rather have you rub my head
with the bay rum" he said peevishly.
She took the bottle from the cabinet
and poured some in the palm of her
firm white hand
That's more like living" He gave
sigh Of relaxation as the soothing
effect stole over him. HAD a pretty
close call. didn't 1, Miss Ryland?'
Pneumonia is always a tiresome
business" she answered unconscious
", trying to rub his hair into covering
the bald spot on his head, but the
doctor says you may start for Palm
Beach tomorrow if you have no fever
tonight
"By Jove, I don't know whether
want to so or not-don't seem to have
energy enough; believe I'd rather stay
here and have you look after me
awhile longer. It's pretty comfort.
able'
She took cloth and wiped off a
drop of bay rum that was trickling to-
ward his ear and turned his head so
she could rub the other side.
sBut just think how fortunate you
are to be able to leave the hospital
for such lovely rest at Palm Beach, y
she said cheerfully. 1--WE always
longed to be rolled around in a chair
on the sands there, with beautiful
clothes and no worry over the fact that
was eating up five dollar bill during
the day and sleeping away another five
at night"
Money doesn't give me everything,p
he grumbled. my owning a few mil
lions didn't keep me from having this
beastly attack. How would you like
to go to Palm Beach and look after
me?' he asked suddenly, looking in
tently at the handsome face bending
over him.
She gave him a startled glance, and
the bay rum splashed down his fore
head and ran perilously near his eyes.
you will not be sick enough to re
Quire nurse" she said quietly.
"But / would like to have you look
after me. You have way about you
that is restful, and l think it would
be fine to have some one as capable
and as comforting always at hand
Suppose you marry me and go with
mer'
She set the bottle on the table and
looked at him in establishment. TN
afraid you still have some fever" she
said, reaching for the little thermome
/ ter.
Il don't think it is sign of fever K
recognize good thing and want it
i The proposition has its good points fol
! both of us. | would have a wife tha
4 I would be proud of, and you coul(
| certainly roll in chair at Palm Beacl
and not worry about the hotel bills"
But is that the greatest happines;
| that can come to man or a woman
/ You have had more experience than /
You are about forty-five, I should
think, and I am twenty-eight. have
always looked forward following the
man I married" She leaned her ell
bow on the table, and her violet eyes
were large and serious as those of ;
child that considers problem too deeI
for it,
1--WE never given much thought t.
love as romance he said, pushin.
the Counterpart from his neck ant
leaving his arms free. But I think ;
nice, comfortable friendship would b.
far more satisfactory"
II suppose it is, as you say, comfort
able to stay on the level plane, bu
don't people who make such marriage;
fail to reach the heights that womer
in their hearts always long for?
| have always imagined that on the
| heights the air was more glorified."
"My dear woman, I'm afraid you'v,
been reading novels. Take my wore
for it that nice, comfortable exist
| ence is the only sane life and that only
young and hysterical fools ever reacf
the heights that you are describing
and then they don't stay there long
| They tumble back to earth quick
enough. i hope you'll get that out
Of your head and come with me to
morrow"
81 couldn't do that, anyway" she
| said decidedly. cts almost part
Of the ethics of our profession that
we don't accept offers of marriage
from our convalescent patients"
"Do you think because I've had
pneumonia It has necessarily left my
| mind weakY he demanded.
mo, I don't think that, and I ac-
knowledge that your offer has its
temptations. Let me think it over
| while you are gone. I'm leaving in an
hour and am to take weeks rest
myself. I must be saying goodby
now" looking hastily at her watch. 81
hope you will soon be strong and we'll
orT rr-;lf ,rvnr r-0rry. y,lay, rrvI,sIo