The San Francisco call., 1909-03-21

was drawn softly over the temples its dusky black
adding distinctly to her pale face. But though at
her request, changed the plain hospital gown which
she at night for her own With its dainty rill of
embroidery at neck and wrists, and drew decately
tinted rainbow scarf around her shoulders as [
propped her UP with pillows took it that it not
vanity which prompted her to look her best, but an
innate of refinement and the being used to
having pretty things about her, l refrained from
commenting the attractive picture she made.
/ not long in discovering that Mrs. Buens
indifferent attitude toward the as that
which she presented to every one else. The other
patients chummed together and included in their
fellowship, but Mrs Bullen, while always courteous,
was silent and distant She would not thaw even
toward old Mrs Bennett who, friendly and garru-
ous, looked upon herself by reason of lengthy resi-
dence hostess of the ward, in which, being home
less, she had been allowed remain, though in her
the progress of the disease had been arrested
Most sick people anxious to be aeviated as far
possible, but Mrs. Buen when in PAIN as she
often was. asked for relief, but appeared take
kind of fierce delight in her misery. AS she
complained, it only occasionally, when her suf-
ferngs exceeded her forttude that / was aware of
her attacks, and then she would not be compass
sionated
| suppose it is always what is hardest of attain
ment that want the most, and that is why my
upon She quite haunted me- Somehow, it
seemed me that this aloofness OF hers was not so
much her natural temperament as extraneous to it.
In spite of her coldness there contradictory ap-
pealng to her lips, though she hungered for
affection, for surely sweet mouth had once
known kisses. There were depths in her dark eyes
which l could not fathom, but depths there were,
and so it not selhshness which seeks only shall
lows that made her dwell apart. Neither was it
II che do;,,
ance by thus cutting herself off from anything that
could her burden, even from the caven of hui
sympathy.
She had no visitors, and when once l asked her if
there no one she would care to sec l caught for
a dreamy tenderness in her face, but she
checked it at and replied briefly:
Il am English, you know l have no friends in
this country"
But your husband?g | persisted eIs he dead7"
There was swift intake of her breath, then:
Yesp | thought, but it might have only been
fancy, that heard her add in whisper, ITO mel"
but could not be about this, and she continued
quickly Miss Hardie. don't pity me! l am lonely
but l to be! | deserve to bef
sighed, but naudibly, as turned away. Each
OF us has boundary which may not be overstepped
In my time off that day finished reading peri
odca which / subscribed. and which | passed
to MIR. Robinson each week, So having obtained
permission from the directress visit ward A, |
took it in to him on my way back to duty. He
talking to stranger, but lie came to meet me with
welcoming smile, and explained:
Miss Harde, here is poor chap just admitted
He's Englishman, fearfully homesick and alto
gether down on his luck Do say kind word to
him.
When he was introduced to me as Mr. Bulen'
stared at him as if he some strange phenonl-
enon
~Buen! And you English, Oh, do you know
Mrs. Kate Bullen?"
fit of coughing interrupted his answer Then
he stretched forth shaking hands to me-
Kate Bullen? Can you tell me where she is?
have searched the world for her. | am her hus-
bandl"
quivered as from electric shock, but his pitiful
emotion steaded
Sit down. Mr. BulIcn. DO not raise your hopes
too high Ny Kate Bullen may not be yours. Has
Your wife the Anglo Saxon coloring, blue eyes and
fair har?y
No nor he cried. in sad disappointment she