Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-03

and kissed each other. And always
the man wore a fur lined overcoat
When Ruth had recovered sufi- |
GENTLY to be interested in her sur
roundings, she noticed first the tall
fragrant American Beauties by her |
bedside
"Who sent them?" she asked the !
nurse languidly.
81. gentleman, Miss Ruth"
"What gentleman"
Faint and weak though Ruths voice |
was, the nurse detected in it note of |
| suspicion.
He did not leave his card, Miss
| Ruth" replied the nurse, blushing ut
her own subterfuge, but Ruth did not
observe her confusion.
| Why Mr.. Mcdonald did not wish his
| identity disclosed in connection With
| the roses the nurse did not know. But
he had insisted upon being an anony-
nous benefactor. and it was not her
| concern to demand his reason for it.
"What does he look like?" Ruth per-
sisted
| He's young and very distinguished
looking" asserted the nurse, both her
manner and words bespeaking unshak-
| able conviction
And then came the crucial question.
| Does he wear a fur lined overcoat?"
| Not always" admitted the nurse in
pathetic attempt to save the situa-
ton.
II thought So" returned Ruth. 81
hate him"
That's only natural, suppose, dear
| But you must remember that he isn't
really to blame if it was his car that
i ran into you. After the accident he
l held you in his arms all the way home
so that the motion of the car would
not jar you. He did everything be
could do for you. l never saw n man
more broken up over anything. He's
been here at least once day ever
since
HIM commented Ruth His mo-
tive is obvious. He's afraid I'll sue
him for damages. l despise him
When did he send these roses?"
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 a sly glance at her patient.
"Romantic"' repeated Ruth. Its
lucky you We're not the one run over
> That man would have had you thank
ing him for the privilege, but he can't
brihe me with daily visits and floral
contributions. You see there isn't the
ghost of Il chance for anything 70
mantle in the situation. He's married.
u OH exclaimed the nurse, with un-
mistakable disappointment Il didn't
know, Miss Ruth. beg your pardon"
II 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
u her imagination to put two and two to-
e gether.
81 Don't keep any more of his old
e. 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
If however. and to send roses, quite un
&c conscious that the latter never found
e their way to Ruths SickrOom.
II The reports that the nurse gave hin
e from day to day of the girls recovery
/ were not gratifying.
s "She doesn't seem to gain at ALL" the
nurse complained one morning discon
II solately. She sits up, but she has IL
le animation-no courage hardly. Sh'
Ii never mentions her work, and they say
she was heart and soul devoted to i
ID before the-before her illness. Thu
Y usefulness of her little pale face il
Ii enough TO break your heart"
Ie The young man looked very thought
= full.
81 suppose she has never asked t
see me?" he inquired at length.
Il have never heard her speak you
name, Mr.. McDonald,", replied tn
nurse evasively.
mo, of course. 1t isn't likely tina
she would. It's blessed thing, though
that she doesn't realize that it was l.
n that it was my car that injured her"
9 The nurse was confused.
But I fear she does, Mr.. Mcdonald
In fact, I'm sure she does"
= But l thought you said you neve
= heard her speak of me?"
Not by name" the nurse repeated.
NOrmans perplexity was evident.
'She speaks of you as the gentle
y man of the fur lined overcoat,'" tn
nurse explained. "And she has reques
ed me not to let you come here, NJ
Mcdonald. 1 hadn't the courage to tie
you before"
S The young man showed no surpris
e but looked deeply troubled.
n We'll" he said finally, "at least
T.. can telephone, and I'm sure you'll tie
s me if there is ever any way 1 can /
q. of further service to her. When sh
has fully recovered, shall hope
"Oh, Mr.. Mcdonald" the nurse i
n terrupted, 81 suppose 1 haven't al
4 right to tell you, but sometimes in h
q deliTium Miss Jeffrey used to mentiC
some one for whom she seemed to ca
n great deal-some one evidently who
i she had refused to marry. I reali
& that 1 am betraying condolences, but
q thought perhaps you might know hi
81 and that it might do her good to s.
| T.; Ial y