The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-08-20
The Greater
Happiness.
BY NANCY BRENT.
BY NANCY BRENT.
Copyrighted. 1907. by E. c. Parcells.


at her patient.
you seem restless. Would you like
me to read to you awhile7" she asked.
"rd 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 I, Miss RylandY
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 II you have no fever
tonight"
by Jove, I don't know whether 1
want to go 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 a 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.
But just think how fortunate you
are to be able to leave the hospital
for such a lovely rest at Palm Beach,"
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"
he grumbled. my owning few mil
lions didn't keep me from having this
beastly attack. How would you like
to go to Palm Beach and look after
meT' 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 l would like to have you look
after me. You have way about you
that is restful, and l think 1t would
be fine to have some one as capable
and as comforting always at hand.
Suppose you marry me and go with
mey'
She set the bottle on the table and
looked at him In establishment. "Pm
afraid you still have some fever" she
said, reaching for the little thermome-
ter.
81 don't think it is a sign of fever to
recognize a good thing and want it.
The proposition has its good points for
both of US. / would have wife that
l would be proud Of, and you could
certainly roll in chair at Palm Beach
and not worry about the hotel bills"
"But is that the greatest happiness
that can come to a man or woman?
You have had more experience than 1.
You are about forty-fve, 1 should
think, and l am twenty-eight. I have
always looked forward following the
man 1 married" She leaned her ell.
bow on the table, and her violet eyes
were large and serious as those of q
child that considers a problem too deep
for it.
"Pve never given much thought to
love as a romance" he said, pushing
the Counterpart from his neck and
! leaving his arms free. But think 8
nice, comfortable friendship would be
far more satisfactory"
II suppose 1t is, as you say, comfort
able to stay on the level plane, but
don't people who make such marriages
fail to reach the heights that women
in their hearts always long for?
have always imagined that on the
heights the. cir was more glorifed."
"My deaS woman, I'm afraid you've
been reading novels. Take my word
for 1t that a nice, comfortable exist
ence 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 quicl
enough. hope you'll get that out
of your head and come with me to
morrow"
81 couldn't do that anyway" she
said decidedly. tits almost a par
Of the ethics Of our profession thai
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 weak2'' he demanded.
mo, 1 don't think that, and l &C
knowledge that your offer has 1t;
temptations Let me think it ovel
while you are gone. I'm leaving in al
hour and am to take a weeks res
myself. / must be saying goodby
now" looking hastily at her watch. q
hope you will soon be strong and we'll
and l will think over your plan while
you are gone"
Once in her room she went to he
wardrobe for her one gala dress, TO
to celebrate the beginning Of he
weeks holiday she had promised to g
with John Martin to the theater. Their
was tap at the door, and one Of thu
nurses looked In.
Seems to me you are doing the SO
ciety act with a vengeance tonight
Here's a big box of violets for you.
thought you said it was a mere news
paper man you were going within
Mary Ryland opened the box, iusl
a pleasure Oh her face.
"Oh, but he's a dear! He Away
thinks of the little things that please.
When she pinned on her hat, sh
looked In the mirror at the violets
fresh and sweet against the soft gra
| of her gown.
, "If l promise to marry him when h
, comes back from Palm Beach, / ca
have violets every day If 1 wan
, them" was the thought that ra
through her mind, but it was hay
| indefinite way, mixed with an ide
! that to buy violets herself would nc
give her so much pleasure as to hav
: some one think to buy them for her.
you are vigorous bit Of the ou
] side world" she said when she me
e Martin in the reception room, and the
e started for the car.
q "And you are the best bit of thi
) world and a promise Of the next" b
0 said, catching the end of her chiffo
, scarf that was falling from her shou
: der and throwing 1t carefully aroun
i her throat. my dear child, you tax
care Of everybody on earth exceT
yourself It's spring, of course, bt
the air is so chilly you ought to kee
: that lace stuff on your chest covered
s She laughed happily. walking besid
o him with light, springy steps.
g you treat me as If l were an irr
r sponsible child that needed watching
e "As for watching you, always 3
that. You must have known Il
e months that I'd like nothing bettt
: | &hay 20 ooro oP x,o,, Ixr-oyc Thor