The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-15

again, IT'S nonsense 10 be neryoue, !
DlIo told herself. II shall try to read
and forget"
Shc resolutely took up a magazine
and read n page slowly and carefully
then read II over again with equnl
care, but she found herself spelling
each word In turn, and tho sense Of
tho phrases did not penetrate into her
brain.
Nobody can take In the meaning OF
story, she thought, when people
whisper, and her glance fell upon a
stout widow who sat opposite whisper.
Ing In the ear Of a girl beside her.
The little lady watched the widows
head bob up and down as her words
became more and more emphatic. She
noticed how dusty the Grape was upon
her veil. And that's the worst OF
Grape" she said 10 herself. "The least
thing makes II look shabby. ! always
toll Robert won't wear Grape when
I'm Q widoyw
A smile 2ickered over her face. and
tho shabby woman In the corner.
watching her. thought envIousIy how
happy she must be TO smile like that
at nothing. Half mn hour now!
Half nm hour for two clever doctors
70 discuss one tiny lump which looked
like almost nothing! How she and
Robert would laugh presently over the
slowness Of these medical men! But
II they kept her much longer she would
be late for lunch. and then Robert
would be In furry and wonder what
had become OF her.
Oh. why were they not quickeri
Time dragged woefully, There was
something aggravatlng about that tire.
some clock on the mantelpiece with its
persistent voice. and the pair of can.
dlesticks exactly alike that hanked II
and the two vases that were such
precise match annoyed her. A Wild
desire seized her 10 set them NIL
crookedl
Then she was tired OF looking at that
hideouS silver creation on the side.
board. She was certain II must be n
testimonial And what an ugly one to
be Baddled with for the rest OF ones
natural life! She remembered with
what dismay she and Robert had re.
ceived some ghastly old family plate
from rich uncle and how thankfully
they had relegated II TO little used
room. Robert saying laughingly that II
would come In as an heirloom for their
grandchildren!
A vision Of herself as a white haired |
old lady made her smile again. She al. |
ways Intended to grow old gracefully
when the time for growing old came! !
But II was very. very long way of,
and she and Robert had only been
married six short months--they had
years and years Of sunny life In front
of them before
Tho door opened.
MRS. Ainslle," said a trim parlor
maid. and the little lady rose and fol.
lowed her.
And all at once her heart gave that
frightened leap again, but she was
smiling when she entered the great
Doctors room.
Both doctors were standing, and
queer feeling came over her as she
saw their faces--that they watched her
ifas II she were that
prisoner at the bar one OF them was
lust going to put on the black cap.
II was n whimsical idea. Her glance
ell almost involuntariIy upon DIR.
James gray head, and she smiled
lgain.
Dr. Bryant leaned against the man.
elpiece.
1t struck her that he kept his eyes
lverted. She wondered vaguely why
10 did 80 Possibly he had made some
little mistake in diagnosis and was
ather vexed about 1t.
"Will you sit down. Mrs. Ainslee?"
Dr. James voice broke In upon her
houghts.
She sat down In the big armchair
where she had sat just now-al those
was 1t hours ago2-when
he had first come into the room today
1ith DR.. Bryant.
DIR. James seated himself at the table
aclng her.
Ihls room was brighter than the
ther where she had waited so long.
he sun came into It, and little patches
light danced upon the carpet and :
pom the table that was strewn with
tiers and upon the great mans kind,
ulet face
Outside the window there was ac.
Tally tree. 1t was April, and the
aves were beginning to grow green !.
ld waved gently to and fro In the U
Ut spring air, q
Her eyes left the dancing leaves out .
de and came back to the faces OF the
70 silent men. She realized that they V
ere both strangely quiet. 81
WELL" she said In gay little voice,
What Is the verdict? YOU The u
ords died on her lips. She could not m
I'VE said why, only something In DR.. n
mes face gave her a curious sense
suffocation. "
Mrs. Ainslle," he said gently, so ~
ntly that sudden longing to cry
sailed her, II am afraid we have not W