Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-22
Perhaps. I can't tell yet"

Do you care to have me"
 'Yes, do." There was silence, and when his
 voice sounded again it had altered.
 T do not think you would care to see me, Sylvia. I-they say I am-I
 have chapged-since my-since slight illness. am not over 1t yet, not cured not very well yet, and little tired, you see-a little shaken. I am leaving New York toto try once more to be cured. I expect to be well-one way or another"-
 Stephen, where are you going? An swer mer'
 T can't answer you"
 ,. "Is your illness seriousY'
 Ait is-it requires some-some care"
 Her fingers frightened around the re- ceiver whitened to the delicate nails under the pressure. Mute, struggling with the mounting impulse, voice and lip unsteady, she still spoke with re- straint:
 You say you require care? And what care have you? Who is there with you? Answer mer'
 Why, everybody-the servants. have care enough"
 "Oh, the servants! Have you a phy- sician to advise you?" 'Certainly-the best in the world. Sylvia, dea-Sylvia, I didn't mean to give you an impression"-
 Stephen, I will have you truthful with me! I know perfectly we'll you 1 are i'll. Tiff could only-if there was something, some way Listen: I am -I am going to do something about 1t. and don't care very nIucu what dow
 What sweet nonsenser he laughed, but his voice was no steadier than hers.
 "Will you drive with me-" she asked impulsively, some afternoonT
 Sylvia, dear. you don't really want me to do it. Wait, listen: live got to tell you that-that I'm not fit for it. I've got to be honest with you. I am not fit, not in physical condition to go out just yet. I've really been ill for weeks. Plank has been very nice to me. I want to get well. I mean to try very hard. But the man you knew -is-changed."
 "Changed?"
 Not in that wayw he said in slow voice.
 "H-how. then?' she stammered, all a-thrill.
 Nerve gone almost. Going to get 1t back again, of course. Feel a mil lion times better already for talking with you"
 "Do-does it really help?"
 'It's the only panacea for me-" he said,- too quickly to consider his words. p a5r D.
 "The only oneT she faltered. Do you mean to say that your trouble illness-has anything to do wlth"-
 "No. no! only"-
 Has 1t, Stephen"
 "Now
 Because if I thought
 Sylvia. I'm not that sort! You mustn't talk to me that way. There's nothing to be sorry for about me Any man may lose his nerve and, If he is man, go after it and get 1t back again. Every man has a fighting chance. You said 1t yourself once that a man mustn't ask for a fighting chance; he must take 1t. And I'm go- ing to take 1t and win out one way or another"
 What do you mean by another 
 "I- Nothing. It's phrase"
 What do you mean? Answer me?" Its phrase" he said again; mo meaning. you know"
 stephen. Mir. Plank says that you are lame" What did he say that forT demand cd Siward wrathfuIly. q asked him. Kemp saw you on crutches at your window. so asked Mir. Plank. and he said you had dis carded your crutches too soon and had fallen and lamed yourself again. Are TOu able to walk yety' "Yes. of course"
 "outdoors?"
 "A-no. not just yet"
 "In other words. you are practically oedridden." "No. no! I can get about the room rery well"
 You couldn't go downstairs for an s lOlr's drive. could you?' Cant manage that for awhile" he aid hastily. ( "oh. the vanity of you. Stephen Si. yard! The vanity, Ashamed Co let l ne see you when you are not your | Omplete and mSgnifcently attractive ! elf. Silly. I shall see you, I shall hive down on the first sunny morn ag and sit outside in my victoria un- { T you can't stand the temptation an- ther instant I'm going to do IL You l annot stop me. Nobody Can stop me. I desire 0 do it. and that Is sufficient. | think. for everybody concerned. If ' he sun Is out tomorrow shall be out I oo! I am so tired of not seeing you. g ct central listenI I don't care. don't | are what I am saying I've endured it | Q loax-I- There's no use, I am too s Irei Of IL. and I want to see you ( ant we see each other uifhout-wIth- g about things that are h ettIesi 0nce ard for any sT can't &. s-sn
 CTo bs c0atinueiy.