The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-30
TIE GREATER HAPPINESS
By Nanc~ Brent.

Miss Ryland turned from the win dow where she stood picking the withered Diossoms from the azalea, and looked at her patient.
 'You seem restless. Would you like me to read to you awhileT' she asked.
 'Td rather have. you rub my head wth bs the aeoR Raf fthe Bottle froa PtSs ca inet 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 I. Miss Ryland?"
 Pneumonia Is always tiresome business" she answered. unconscious ly, trying to rub his hair into cover ing the bald spot on his head, but the doctor says you may start for Palm Beach tomorrow if you have no fever tonight"
 By love, I don't now whether want to go or not-don't seem to have energy enough--believe I'd rather stay here and have you look after me while longer-it's pretty comfortable"
 She took a cloth and wiped off a drop of bay rum that. was trickling toward hIs ear. and turned his head so she could rub the other side.
 But just think how fortunate you are to be able to leave the hospital for such loveIy rest at Balm, Beach" she said cheerfully. I've always long ed to be rolled around in chair on the sands there-with beautiful clothes and no worry over the fact thaat was eating a five-dollar bill up during the day and sleeping away another five at night"
 Money doesn't give me everything" !" he grumbeled. My owning few millions 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, look ing intently 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 a nurse." she said quietly.
 But I would like to have you look after me-you have a way about you that is restful--and I think 1t would be fine to have some one as capable and as comforting always at hand. Suppose you marry me and go with mel?
 She sat the bottle on the table and looked at him in astonishment Pm afraid you still haave some fever" she said. reaching for the little thermome- ter
 T don't think it is Q sign of fever to recognize a good thing and want 1t. The proposition has its good points for both of us-I would have a wife that I would be proud of And you could certainly roll in a chair at Palm Beach and not worry about the hotel bills"
 But is that the greatest happiness that can come to a man or a woman, You have had more experience than l. You are about forty-five, should think and am twenty-eight. l have always lool-ed forward following the man I married" She leaned her elbow on the table. and her violet eyes were large and serious as chlld's that consider a problem too deep for It.
 i've never given much thought to love as a romance" he said, pushing the oun.erpane from his neck, and leaving his arms free. But l think a nice, comfortable friendship would be far more satisfactory"
 T suppose it is, as you say, comfort able to stay on the level plain-but don't people who make such mar riages fail to reach the heights that women in their hearts. always long for? l have always imagined that, on the heights, the air was more glorifled."
 My dear woman. I'm afraid you've been reading novels take my word for 1t that nice comfortable existenR' is the only sane life-and that only young and hysterical fools ever reach the heights that you are describing and then they don't stay there long. they tumble back to earth quick enough I hope you1l get that out of your head and come with me tomorrow"
 T couldn't do that. anyway" she said decidedly, its almost a part ot the ethics of our profession that we don't accept offers of marriage from our convaleseent patients"
 Do you think because I've had pneu- monia 1t has necessarily left my mind weak?" he demanded
 'No-I don't think that-and I ac- knowledge that your offer has its temptations. Let me think 1t over while you are gone. Pm leaving in an hour and am to take a weeks rest myself. must be saying good-by now." looking hastily at her watch. l