The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-05-07
CHAPTER ".

nor TOOK the young woman Dy the
shoulders with gentle firmness and
turned her toward the light. Look
at me. Your eyes are bloodshot;
your head is paining you again"
She was answered by a look of
dumb agony.
Never mind" she continued with
insistent gentleness. You are not
to help me dress; you are to do
just as l say" she added in a sharp
er tone, as the girl made q feeble
gesture of protest. Come, l can
help your head, you know-there.
now" She forced the girl quietly
into an easy chair, with a gentle
laugh at her resistance. There,
now. rest, rest-poor little thing"
she said softly as she bent over the
relaxed form. She made a gentle
movement as IL to brush back the
girls heavy hair.
There was one observer of this
odd little scene. Alice Rawlins, on
her way down the corridor had
paused at Mrs. Gaynor's door, which
had sprung from it's catch. She had
sttH tHe hlIuls anu
heard the gentle orders dictated by
rarely sympathetic spirit.
Gee" thought Alice, as she
moved on toward her room, shes
n brick. that woman. 1t isn't one
in a million that would be that con
siderate. I'd just like to do her
good turn for that" With which
deeply philosophic comment she
dismissed the subject
As the dinner hour approached,
Mrs. Gaynor was the first to reach
the drawing room, her pallor and
wcariness accentuatcd by the languid
line and dark hue of her velvet
gown. Presently her hostess ap-
peared. Her dress lmp-lined and
co!orless as her character, left one
wondering whether her dressmaker
possessed a sense of humor. Miss
Rawlins, true to her affected boy
lshness, appeared in her traditional
evening costume of black velvet Nor
folk. a fine linen shirt and ruffied
stock. Her hair, still in the inevita-
hlc Club was held by a diamond
bar and black bow
'Woof." she said as she entered,
wait till you pipe the Lawdon. She's
sporting a frock that gave me a sun
stroke. She has twenty-seven yards
of gold gauze wiping up the par
Quette, the diamond belt, and one
gilt suspender."
"Rowdy," reprimanded Mrs. Eve
lyn.
"Who-me or Mrs. Lawdon?"
Mrs. Gaynor laughed. "One sus-
pender don't make rowdy. Good
evening, Boyd" She bowed over
Alice's head to Wendham, who stood
in the doorway.
His eyes sought hers with admira-
tion. Did you take my prescrip-
tion and a good rest, this after
noon?" he inquired.
Yes" she nodded briefly.
You worldly dervishes are al
ways compelling me to send you to
sanitariums.
YES" interrupted Mrs. Evelyn,
81 do think this racing fever OF
hers"
"Oh, nonsense!" Mrs. Gaynor
spoke with some irritation. II have
to help make my living, and as long
as I'm successful"
But you needn't be so extrava-
CANT" objected the hostess.
Mrs. Gaynor shrugged. Needn't
be! can't help myself And after
all. don't play bridge"
Because the stakes are too
blamed low" said Alice. ''As for
me, give me penny ante"
The doctors face was serious. my
dear Alice, you will never lose your
nerve. But Mrs. Gaynor is made of
different stuff, and I'm trying to con-
vince her that she must ease the
strain. She knows best where the
tension lies"
What is the amount of your fee?"
inquired Mrs. Gaynor coldly.
Wendham blushed scarlet. For
give me for forcing my professional
opinion upon you-it was only my
real interest. / have seen 80 many
lovely women transformed into
nervous wrecks"
Wendham spoke warmly, ignoring
the speakers were placed by this in
trusion into the personal realm of
one Of the circle. The mad extra.
vagance and love OF excitement
which characterized Nellie Gaynol
concerned him deeply. They stood
like unseen but insurmountable bar
riers between her magnetic personal
ity and his growing love for her.
Indeed" said Mrs. Gaynor, :"
knew broken legs could be reset
but I didn't know that you posed al
a mender of character. Is the opera
tion painful?" Her light tone treat
ed his offer as joke. but this tim'
he was not to be put on.
mot at all painful" he answered
''for the most wonderful anaestheti,
in the world is the first thing neces
Sarv-hvDnCtism."