The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-29
THE EVENING STORY
The Greater Happiness.
(By Nancy Brent.)

Wv WHeIe she STOOD PICKING the
| Wlthered 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 peevishIy
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
a sigh of relaxation as the soothing eff
close call, didn't I. Miss Ryland?''
! Pneumonia is always a tiresome
business" she answered, unconscious
| ly, 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"
''3y Jove, I don't know whether I
want to go or not--don't seem to have
energy enough-believe I'd rather
stay here and have you look after me
a while longer-it's pretty comfort
able.''
She took 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 lovely rest at Palm Beach, she
to be Herewith beautiful clothes
and no worry over the fact that 1 was
eating five-dollar bill up during the
day and sleeping away another five at
night
Money doesn't give me every
thing he grumbled "My owning a
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 sudden
ly, looking intently at the handsome
face bending over him.
She gave him startled glance and
the bay rum splashed down his fore
head and ran periIously near his eyes.
You will not be sick enough to re-
qufre NURSE she said quietly.
But L would like to have you look
after me-you have a 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
me?"
She set the bottle on the table and
looked at him in establishment I'm
afraid you still have some fever" she
said, reaching for the little thermome-
ter.
Il don't think it is a sign of fever to
recognize good thing and want it.
The proposition has its good points for
both of us-I would have a wife that
would be proud of. And you could GER
tainly 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 45, 1 should think, and
am %. have always looked forward
following the man 1 married. She
leaned her elbow on the table, and her
violet eyes were large and serious as a
child's that consider problem too
deep for it.
I've never given much thought to
love as romance" he said, pushing
the counterpart from his neck and |
leaving his arms free. But I think a
nice, comfortable friendship would be |
far more satisfactory"
Il suppose 1t is, as you say. comfort |
able to stay on the level plain-but |
don't people who make such marriages |
in their hearts, always long for? I /
have always imagined that, on the |
heights, the air was more glorif1ed."
my dear woman, I'm afraid you've |
it that a nice comfortable existence is |
the only sane nfe-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. |
hope you'll get that out of your head |
and come with me tomorrow"
81 couldn't do that, anyway" she |
ethics of our profession that we don't |
accept offers of marriage from our con-
valescent patients
DO you think because I've had pneu-
monia it has necessarily left my mind |
weak?" he demanded.
mo- don't think that-and ac-
knowledge that your offer has its
while you are gone. I'm leaving in
an hour, and am to take a weeks rest
myself. I must be saying goodby
now" looking hastily at her watch.
ST hope you will soon be strong and
well-and I will think over your plan
while you are gone"
Once in her room she went to her
for, to celebrate the beginning of her
weeks holiday, she had promised to go
with John Martin to the theater. There
was a tap at the door, and one of the
nurses looked in
Seems to me you are doing the So
ciety act with a vengeance tonight.
Here's big box of violets for you. I
thought you said it was a mere news
Mary Ryland opened the box, a
flush of pleasure on her face.
"Oh but he's a deari He always
thinks of the little things that please
When she pinned on her hat, she
looked in the mirror at the violets,
fresh and sweet against the soft gray
of her gown.
can have violets every day If I want
Them" was the thought that ran
her mind. but it was in a
hazv indefinite way, mixed with an
not give her so much pleasure as to
have some one think to buy them for
her.
"You are a vigorous bit of the out
side world she said when she met
Martin in the reception room and they ;
started for the car. :
"And you are the best bit of this ,
woodland promise of the next he ,
said, catching the end of her chiffon =
scarf that was falling from her Shout {
der and throwing 1t carefully around j
her throat. MY dear child. you take
care of everybody on earth except !
LIS snrine. of course hut