El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-12
The Herald's
Daily Short Stery

here? The doctor heard there was q
nurse. over in Lewis. He insisted or
sending. am quite aware how dis
agreeable this unfortunate occurrence
must be to you," he said grimly- Il am
extremely sorry"
She cut him short cheerfu1ly. Don't
speak of it, 1 regard a case as a case
merely. am glad TO do what can for
YOU"
"A case is a case to me-" rang in
Cathcart's ears.
He would try to prevent her doing
things for him. and would have served
himself but that she stopped at once
quietly.
You are retarding your recovery.
she said chilly. Pray allow me to do
what l came here to do" He sank
back on the pillows. raging inwardly.
Retarding his recovery" That meant
keeping her here unnecessarily in the
position she must hate and abhor. In
spite of himself, of his fierce bliss in
having her in sight again, he tried to
be fair. He sent her from his room
every chance he could get-she must
take a walk, she must go and see the
loch, the river. Bobby would take her,
Cathcart began to recover amazingly
fast-appalllngly fast, he himself
thought with dismay. Downstairs now,
in the evenings after dinner, he could
hear the tinkle of the old piano and
the distant sound of song. His heart
within him swelled with anger and
pain.
But it was Bob's glorious opportunity,
and he made the most of it. They
climbed Ben Alder together, they walked
by the waves ringing the cove. and he
taught her to cast a fly for salmon,
though she never caught one. One even
ing they had come IN from a long
muddy tramp and sat at tea by the fire
in the great hall. Bobby began by
fatuous speeches about the sugar she
dropped into his cup with her fingers.
He went on to confide that he had
good little Income: quite enough to mar
ry on. When she had informed him with
some establishment, that she was
pleased to hear it, he leant across the
silver tray on its Moorish stand and
caught her hand knocking the teaspoon
out of it, He began to rave.
oh, deari 1 love you so, Don't you
know do. Say you'll have me- 1 know
I'm not fit to wipe the dust from your
little shoes, but do take me. I'll shoot
myself of you don'tH
Mr.. Truman. Pray recollect your
self" She tried to draw away the hand,
but he elung like leech. Let go my
hand, please! peremptorily. How dare
you. Don't be a goosei"
But Bobby was not to be daunted.
He pushed her finally TO the door of
Catchcart's study, where she fled for
refuge There, in the slight check while
she fumbled with the knob. he flung
himself on his knees and grasped her
hand again She struggled with him
The door shot open, Cathcart stood in
side, glowering at them both.
am sorry to have interrupted such
moving cena' he said oriu11V Il
heard your voice, and thought you spoke
to me-" He hobbled back to his chair.
On the way he stumbled. In moment,
forgetting everything but the patient,
she flew to him. her shoulder under his
hand.
Thank you,." stiffly. Il am sorry to
inconvenience you," as he sank painting
into his cushioned chair.
She stood abashed before him. her
face flaming
Il suppose am to congratulate your"
he said. flashing himself on in his anger,
his hands clutching the arms of his big
chair We'll. Bobby IS a, good little
chap, in spite of all his folly. You
might do worse, dare say
She flashed round at him. 1t was the
last straw How dare your she stamp
ed her foot at him. How dare you In
suit me like that.''
S5 yOUl Poiu oH- SHouiu never
mean to do that! 1 only thought that
that fancied hat-that-Bobby2'
You did npt-you could not-you-i
she broke off short.
He got UP suddenly from his chair, |
and stood swaying, as he tried to take /
a step toward her.
"Hilda. what do you mean?' For a
second they faced each other Then he
tottered- In an instant she was at his
side. Somehow, neither of them ever (
knew how it happened. The patients !
arms We're round the nurse it was he i
who was upholding
Hilda, do you care still then? Do
you"
His arms were round her now, and /
she did not resist them. His kisses
nushed her lips.