Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-05-29

not jar you. He did everything he
could do for you never saw n man
more broken up over anything. He's
been here Mt least once day ever
since"
'H'mv' commented Ruth. His mo-
tive Is obvious. He's afraid III sue
him for damages despise him.
When did he send these rosesT
"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
"Romanticp repeated Ruth. Its
lucky you We're not the one run over
That man would have had you thank
ting him for the privilege, but he can't
bride 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"
"Ohf" exclaimed the nurse, with un-
mistaLaJie disappointment. ~ 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 to.
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.
"She DOESN'T seem to gain at ALL" the
nurse complained one morning discon-
solately. "She sits up, but she has no
animation--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
wistfulness OF her little pale face il
enough to break your heart"
The young man looked very thought
full.
II suppose she has never asked to
see me2" he inquired at length.
81 have never heard her speak your
name, Mr.. Mcdonald" replied the
nurse evasively.
"No. of course. It isn't likely that
she would. It's blessed thing, though,
that she doesn't realize that 1t was l.
that 1t was my car that Injured her"
The nurse was confused.
"But fear she does, Mr.. Mcdonald.
In fact, I'm sure she does"
"But thought you said you never
heard her speak of mer
"Not by NAME" the nurse repeated.
Norman's perplexity 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 l
can telephone, and I'm sure you'll tell
me II there IL ever any way ! can BIO
Of further service to her When she
has fully recovered, shall hope
OHt MI. htDOhuiuf tht
terrupted, II suppose ! haven't any
right to tell you, but sometimes In her
delirium Miss Jeffrey used to mention
some one for whom she seemed to care
q great deal some one evidently whom
she had refused to marry. | realize
that I am betraylng condolences, but
thought perhaps you might know him
and that 1t might do her good to see
him. She called him Iaddie.'"
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 therep If was Ruth's voice
calling anxiously from the room above.
The nurse had no evasive answer
ready, but had she had one at her
tongues end there would have been no
time to utter It, for at the sound Of
Ruth's voice Norman had bounded up
the stairs two, three, at time and
now stood on the upper landing with
the girl crushed rapturously to him.
"Oh, Ladde. Ladder Ruth cried
joyousiy. 81 knew your laugh"
But at the consciousness Of his kiss
she drew back from him with cry
that was half grief, half anger. and
threw herself upon the couch, sobbing
bitterly.
Ruth. Ruth. what is 1t. little oneY
Tell me, dearest" pleaded Norman.
"Go back to her." the girl gasped
finally through her sobs.
eco back to whomY' asked Norman,
utterly mystlHed
"Oh, you are cruel Why did you
come? I've watched you kiss her good
by every morning when you left her at
the office, and I envied her then,
though I didn't know II was you. II
only remembered what | had lost. Oh.
don't stand there and pity me. Go
back. go back"
ruth, sweetheart, listen! There Is
no one to go back to. That Is my sister
you have seen me with. Surely you
knew would wait for you-and you
have come. Don't cry any more. little
one"
And Ruth let herself be comforted
and loved and kissed-like any tired
child
'"rhe return Ii very sweet, Laddie,"
she whispered. you'll keep on com
l.. A.