Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-12

not jaF Jon. He did everything he
could do for you. / never saw a man
more broken up over anything. He's
been here at least once a day ever
since"
"H'mF' commented Ruth. "HIs mo-
tive Is obvious He's afraid I'll sue
him for damages. I despise him
When did he send these rosesY
Every day--today, mean. He's
had fresh ones sent every morning.
It's very romantic. Miss Ruth, to my
way Of thinking" ventured the nurse.
casting sly glance at her patient
"Romanticw repeated Ruth. Its
lucky you were not the one run over
That man would have had you thank
ing him for the privilege, but he can't
bribe me with daily visits and floral
contributions. You see there isn't the
ghost OF a chance for anything ro-
mantle In the situation. He's married"
"Ohr exclaimed the nurse. with I'M
mistakable disappointment II didn't
know, Miss Ruth. beg your pardon"
So that was why he presented roses
anonymously and why her patient
hated him Possibly before he was
married--it was thus the nurse allowed
her imagination to put two and two 10
gether.
Don't keep any more of his old
roses, please, and don't let him come
here any more" Ruth gave her orders
YEARLY and was soon asleep.
Norman Mcdonald continued TO call,
however. and to send roses, quite I'M
conscious that the latter never found
their way to Ruth's sickroom.
The reports that the nurse gave him
from day to day Of the girls recovery
were not gratifying.
ashe doesn't seem to gain at ALL" the
nurse complained one morning discon-
solateIy. she sits up, but she has no
anlmation-no courage hardly. She
never mentions her work. and they say
she was heart and soul devoted to 1t
before the--before her illness. The
wistfuIness Of her little pale face is
enough TO break your heart"
The young man looked very thought
full.
u suppose she has never asked to
sec mef" he inquired at length.
II have never heard her speak your
name. Mr.. Mcdonald" replied the
nurse evasively.
EMO, of course. IL isn't likely that
she would It's blessed thing. though,
that she doesn't realize that II was T.
that It was my car that injured her"
The nurse was confused.
"But fear she does, MIR. Mcdonald.
In fact, I'm sure she does"
''But thought you said you never
heard her speak OF meY'
"Not by name." the nurse repeated.
Norman's perplexlty was evident.
"She speaks OF you as the gentle
man OF the fur lined overcoat.'" the
nurse explained. 'And she has request
ed me not to let you come here, Mr.
Mcdonald, hadn't the courage to tell
you before"
The young man showed no surprise
but looked deeply troubled.
''Well," he said finally, "at least
can telephone, and I'm sure you'll tell
me II there Ii ever any way ! can be
Of further service to her. When she
has fully recovered. | shall hope
"Oh, Mr.. Mcdonald" the nurse In
terrupted. II suppose / haven't any
right to tell you. but sometimes in bel
dellrlum Miss jeffrey used to mentor
some one for whom she seemed to caro
q great deai-some one evidently whom
she had refused to marry. ] FealIz,
that am betraying condolences. but
/ hwhk htV1
and that 1t might do her good to se'
him. She called him 'Laddle.'"
The young man started at the name
| then broke out into hearty laugh.
The nurse cautioned him to be quiet
but the caution came too late.
who's thereg' II was Ruth's volcI
calling anxiously from the room above
The nurse had no evaslve answe
ready, but had she had one at he
tongues end there would have been n,
! time to utter 1t. for at the sound o
Ruths voice Norman had bounded VI
/ the stairs two. three. at a time ant
now stood on the upper landing witt
the girl crushed rapturously to him.
'oh. Laddle. Ladder Ruth cries
joyously. II knew your laugh"
But at the consciousness Of bis kis
she drew back from him with or.
that was half grief. half anger, AM
threw herself upon the couch. sobbinI
bitterly.
ruth. Ruth. what u II, little one
Tell me. dearest" pleaded Norman.
60 back 10 her" the girl gaspe,
Glnally through her sobs.
Go back to whomY' asked Norman
utterly mystided.
"Oh. you are cruel. Why did yol
comet I've watched you kiss her good
by every morning when you left her q
the Office. and enyied her then
though I didn't know u was you. l.
only remembered what had lost. Oh
don't stand there and pity me. @
back. so backls
Ruth. sweetheart. llstenl There |
no one to go back to. That Is my Biste
| you have seen me with. Surely 20
knew I would walt for you-and 20