The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-04-14

the nurse. 'I'll humor you by ask
ing why should do all this?"

ing why / should do all this?"
Because" said Jim Ellington with
much calmness, 81 am going to bribe
you. Sit down, please, and I'll tell
you all about It,"
| 1t was a day or two after before
Edith Harwood called at the hospital
again. She renewed the jelly supply
and stayed little while at Jims
discreetly worded request. She told
Jim something about herself She
and Bruce were orphans and quite
alone in the world. Bruce lived with
wealthy uncle in that famous col
lege town whose football eleven Jim
had humbled by the now historical
touchdown. Edith spent part of her
time at the uncle's and part at an
aunts in the rival college town, the
town of Jim's college, and incident
ally of the hospital
II want you to meet Bruce under
more favorable circumstances, Mr..
Ellington" said the girl. Hes COM
ing to see you soon"
She went away leaving Jim more
charmed with her than before.
The broken shoulderblade healed
with reasonable dispatch, but the
wrenched side was more stubborn.
On the twentieth day of Jim's stay at
the hospital he received a telegram.
He showed it to Miss Bingham.
"Your father?" she asked.
"Yes. You see am playing fair"
81 didn't doubt it," said Miss Bing-
ham.
The afternoon came and brought
Edith with book and more flowers.
Jim was properly delighted. Then
he hurriedly seized the opportunity.
Miss Harwood," he said, "you
wanted to make amends for what
was but trifling matter. let you
think it was serious. let you make
amends that were never called for.
actually borrowed money from you.
Don't you realize why | did all this?
1t was because l wanted you to come
here, l hungered for the sight of you.
And now I'm going to ask you to
make amends in just one more form.
You have given me money, and
smiles, and cheerful words-now I'm
going to ask you to give me yourself.
May have your promise to be my
wife?"
The girl had drawn back, her face
flushed, her eyes downcast.
Before she could make reply
cheerful voice filled the room and
stout gray bearded man hurried to
the bedside.
my dear boy" he cried and clung
to Jim's hand. Are you coming
along all right? l was in Honolulu,
when l heard you had been hurt.
And here l am. But you won the
game. they say! Good boy, good
boy!"
$50 glad you've come, dad," cried
Jim. He looked back at Edith.
miss Harwood. this is my father,
General Ellington. Dad, this is Miss
Edith Harwood, who has been very,
very kind to me in my Illness"
The keen gray eyes regarded Edith
approvingly.
"a ministering angel" he said with
a courtly bow.
Eyes, dad" said Jim very quietly,
"an angel. 1 have asked Miss Har-
wood, dad, to be my wife"
His eyes were on the flushed face,
his thin white hand lay on the coun-
terpane with the palm upward. For
a moment Edith hesitated. Then her
rosy fingers gently clasped the
wasted ones. And the gray haired
man laid his stout hand upon the
other hands.
II have never refused my boy any,
thing he wanted, my dear" he gent
ly said. "And l have had the most
perfect confidence in his judgment"
There were tears in the sick boys
eyes as he looked up.
"I'm little weak, yet, dad" he
said, 'but you two will bring me
round all right. Dad, she loaned me
money"
well, I like that!" laughed the
old man.
$50 did I, dad. She thought I
needed it. You'll have to help me
pay her back, and we'll take our time
about it. That's all understood. And
there's another thing, dad. They've
been very good to me here. And I
want to do something for them. I've
promised the head nurse-she's been
particularly kind-that I'll provide
~ L. 4
addition for children's ward"
Certainly, my boy" cried the old
man. "I'm glad you feel grateful"
he laughed. "And now what's your
idea about paying this dear girl?"
Jim smiled and his thin fingers
tightened on the rosy ones.
Better leave that to me, dad. She
deserves high interest-and I'll see
that you get the bills"