The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-07-08


DOCTOR.
face, but she sat perfectly still, her
eyes never leaving his.
Eyes, he answered so gently that
she almost smiled at him, shat is
what mean"
"And-how many years will 1t take?"
she asked. and she noticed how still
her own voice was, how her heart that
had bounded widely a second before
was now beating quickly, "or-will it
perhaps be-a shorter timer
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 its stiffness
at will be shorter time than that"
The great doctors voice trembled.
She was so very pretty-so very
young and pretty and fair-and so
beautifully dressed. 1t was absurd to
think of her clothes at such moment,
but 1t would have been easier to tell
her If she had worn a shabby gown!
1t flashed into his mind that 1t was
like killing a butterfly that was dane
ing In the sunlight, and yet
"a shorter timer" She interrupted
| his thoughts.
! He leaned forward and laid his hand
upon her arm.
YES" he said. II know you will
face it bravely." His voice broke
again 81 do not think-it-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.
1t 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 at her own clinched
hands. do you know" she went on,
and queer little smile fitted across
her face, II have torn my handker-
chief into ribbons-while I sat here.
But-but it won't matter now-~ill it
II it is only 10 be week7"
There was no answer from either Of
her listeners. Words were impossible
to them. Only great admiration
dawned in DR.. James eyes as he look
ed into the bright, resoiute ones that
faced him.
Thank you very much for breaking
It to me $3.50 gently" she said In
that smooth, even tone that never
trembled or changed ut is-a very
great surprise. A-a-week-you say?"
The great man bowed his head. OBJ
yiously he could not trust himself to
speak
How stranger she said. Next week
there is big ball-and lam going-I
mean was going-my dress will come
homeland L How stranger
DR.. Bryant turned abruptly from the
window. She saw that hts eyes were
full Of tears.
1T is so hard quite to realize" she
went on. 'that things will go on Just
the same-and mot be here She
paused, glancing out at the green tree
and the sunlight
Butt ought not to take up your
time" She rose and turned courteous
~ to DR.. James. You have other peo-
pie to see, and I hope-I hope you will
not have another verdict to give-like
/ mine
/ For the first time her voice shook a
little, but her eyes were still steady.
4Win you have cab called for me,
DR.. Bryant7 ] should like to 90
straight -homas
She walked from the great mans
room with head erect and unfaltering
steps. and, watching her, he said soft
~ to himself: TT Is the women who 90
up to the lannon's mouth without turn
ing hair. What plucky soul! My
God, what pfucky soulr'
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
shabby woman said to herself. 4How
young and happy she Is, with all her
life before hef-and such q happy HER
But the shabby woman never knew
what the verdict had been which the
little lady had waited for so long!