Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-02-29


not Jar you. 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'mp' commented Ruth. His. mo-
| tive Is obvious. He's afraid Ill sue
him for damages l despise him
| When did he send these rosesT
Every day-today, l 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
"Romanticr' repeated Ruth. FITS
| lucky you were not the one run over
That man would have had you thank
ing 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"
"Ohw exclaimed the nurse, with I'M
mistakable disappointment. 81 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 IN
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
usefulness of her little pale face Is
enough to break your heart"
The young man looked very thought
full.
II suppose she has never asked to
see me?' he inquired at length.
II have never heard her speak your
name, Mr.. Mcdonald" replied the
nurse evasively.
mo, of course. 1t isn't likely that
she would. It's blessed thing, though,
that she doesn't realize that 1t was /
that it was my car that injured her"
The nurse was confused.
"But fear she does, Mr.. Mcdonald
In fact, I'm sure she does"
"But l thought you said you never
heard her speak Of me?"
mot by name" the nurse repeated.
Normans 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, lat least |
can telephone and I'm sure you'll tell
me If there is ever any way | can be
of further service to her. When she
has fully recovered, shall hope
"Oh, Mr., Mcdonald" the nurse In
terrupted, 81 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 l am betraying condolences, but
thought perhaps you might know him
and that it might do her good to see
him. She called him 'Laddie.'"
The young man started at the name,
then broke out into a hearty laugh.
The nurse cautioned him to be quiet
but the caution came too late.
who's thereT' 1t 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
Ruths 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, Laddie. Laddie" Ruth cried
joyously. 81 knew your laugh"
But at the consciousness of his kiss
she drew back from him with a cry
that was half grief, half anger, and
threw herself upon the couch, sobbing
bitterly
Ruth, Ruth, what is it, little one?
Tell me, dearest" pleaded Norman.
go back to her." the girl gasped
finally through her sobs.
Go back to whomY' asked Norman,
utterly mystihed.
ooh, you are cruel. Why did you
come? I've watched you kiss her good
by every morning when you left her at