Democratic messenger., 1908-06-27

SAW THE LADY SHANE HANDS WITH HER
DOCTOR.
face. but she sat perfectly still. her
eyes never leaving his.
"Ycs" he answered SO gently that
she almost smiled at him. that Is
what | mean
And how many years will ii take"
she asked and she noticed how stll
her own voice was, how her heart that
had bounded widely Il second before
was now beating quickly. "or Will 1t
perhaps be a shorter time
She could almost have sworn that the
gray eyes watching her grew dim. She
realized that the figure by the window
| seemed To be- rigid In It's stiffness
1T VIII be shorter time than that"
The great DOCTORS voice trcmbleh.
She was so very pretty 50 very
young and pretty and fair and so
beautifully dressed. II was absurd tn
think Of her clothes at such moment.
but II would have been easier 10 tell
her ir she had worn shabby gown.
Ii dashed into his mind that II Was
Ike killing butterfly that WAS dane
ing In the sunlight. and yet
"A shorter time" She interrupted
his thoughts
He leaned forward and laid his hand
upon her arm.
YES" he said, Il know YOU will
face II bravely." His voice broke
again. II do not think II Will be
more than-a week and We can do
nothing"
The silence IN the room Was like
something tangible. made more EN-
phatic by the chirping OF the sparrows
IN the tree without and the rumble OF
the busy New York streets
II was the little lady herself who
broke the silence
THAT was hard thing for you TO
tell me-" she said gently. Then she
glanced down nj her own rlinched
hands. "Do YOU know" she went ON.
and queer little smile fitted across
her face. II have torn my handker-
chief into ribbons while | sat here.
But but It won't matter now will 1t
| II II is only TO he n week =
There was no answer from either OF
her listeners. Words were impossible
10 them. Only great admiration
| da wned In Dr. James eyes rs lac look
ed into the bright. resolute ones that
faced him.
Thank you very much for breaking
II TO me so so gently" she said In
that smooth. even tone that never
trembled or changed. 1T Is a very
great surprise "A week you sayF
The great man bowed his head. OBJ
vlously he could not trust himself 10
speak
How strange" she said. Next week
there is big ball aud lam going-I
mean was going my dress will come
home and / How strange.
Dr Bryant turned abruptly from the
window. She saw that his eyes were
| full OF tenrs
1T is so hard quite To realize" she
went on. that things will go ON just
the same and not be here She
paused. CHANGING out at the green tree
and the sunlight
But ought not to take up your
time" She rose ana turned courteous
iy TO Dr James You have other peo-
Pile To see, and hope hope yon will
not have another verdict 10 give Ike
-mine''
For the first time her voice shook II
little. but her eyes We're still steady
"Will you have cab called for me.
DR. Bryant? should like 10 go
straight home"
She walked from the great mans
room with head erect and unfaltering
steps. and. watching her. he said soft
| ly TO himself: 1T IL the women who go
mp 10 the cannon's mouth without turn
Ing n hair. What n plucky soul. My
God. what plucky SOUL
Looking from the window of the sit
ting room. the shabby woman saw the
little lady shake hands smilingly with
her doctor and drive away. And the
r.abby woman said 10 herself. How
young and happy she Is. with all her
| life before her-and such happy life.'
But the shabby woman never knew
what the verdict had been which the
little lady had waited for so long.