The Ordway new era., 1913-04-04
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nurse. whose twinkling eyes were in
violent contrast with his thin-lipped,
grave, determined mouth.
"Dr. Massey's orders were that for
twelve hours no one should be admit
ted to the ROOM" was his unanswer.
able rejoinder.
o'clock. this EVENING""
Exactly. sir. But shall report to
you everything he says. as nearly az
possible in his own words"
Very WE'LL" said. II shall spend
the day here" My tone conveyed dis.
missal and fear It still smacked Of
annoyance. Mr.. Bryan. however. gave
no sign OF resentment. His eyes were
still kindly merry. his mouth still in
spired reliance. He turned towards
the door. saying:
He'll probably sleep four hours at
least. Mr.. Clyde. II you wish to go
out. there's no reason why you
shouldn't"
meant to reply. My lips were al.
ready framing sentence. when a
tableau checked me.
Evelyn Grayson was standing In the
doorway. She wore a clinging house
gown Of pale blue. cut low at the
throat. and bordered with deep col.
lar of Irish lace. The rose flush OF
youth and health tinted the cream OF
her complexion and a shaft of sunlight
from near window made glittering
golden nimbus OF her hair. With wide.
startled eyes she was gazing at Bryan.
or, to be more exact, at the snowy
linen duck In which he was clad, and
which must have held for her q per
picking significance.
The nurse had halted, deferentially
standing aside at sight of the girl
whose young beauty seemed to dazzle
him.
For a moment the stiffness and ST.
!ence were absolute. Then Evelyn
turning her gaze upon me advanced
quickly, with little questioning cry:
"Philip!"
You're surprised to find me here"
I interpreted, with hands outstretched
And to-" she began. laying her
fingers against my palms.
ITO find nurse here, MS WELL"
finished for her. Let me introduce
Mr.. Bry-" But when would have
presented him he had already gone.
But who is ill?" she questioned in
nervous haste. What"
1t were well. thought. to have the
revelation over and done with as
speedily as Possible.
Your uncle. / brought him home
at two o'clock this morning."
do not know what expected, but
I am sure was not prepared for what
ensued. Her fingers. suddenly releas.
ing themselves from my fond but
feeble support, clutched wildly at the
lapels Of my coat for support, as she
burst into passion of sobs. In vain
made efforts to comfort and quiet
her. She became hysterical. She
laughed and cried by turns. while !.
making bold to regard her as a sorrow
ing child rather than the woman she
was. held her close and murmured all
the soothing. encouraging words and
phrases l could conjure.
liam SO glad" she whispered
at last. her big liquid blue eyes swim
ming. her fair face wet with the tor
rent Of her emotion. I'll am 80
happy"
Presently placed her in a great.
cavernous leathern chair. and lent her
my handkerchief-assis her. in
deed-to remove the evidences of her
tumultuous Joy. After which sat
down opposite her and answered a
hundred questions, still marvelling at
the contrariety OF the feminine tenn
perament which defles disaster dry
eyed and over good tidings is like NJ
ODE all tears.
Eyelyn's emotions alone considered.
1t was. therefore, Just as we'll that
Cameron had not returned robust and
of sane mind. Her rejoicing undiluted
might have resulted in nervous break
down. AS 1t was, the mere fnct that
he was weak and trifie dtstraught-
which was the mildly eQuivoeal way in
which l softened the truth for her
had for her fortitude the revivifying
potency Of a tonic. It SO balanced her
Joy with anxiety that she grew strong
in surprisingly short space.
II do not see why a nurse is at all
necessary" she objected, at once. 81
shall nurse him. myself. Louis and l
can do everything that Is required
But DR.. Massey" began. Where
upon she interrupted me:
DIR. Massey probably thinks am
foolish, frivolous child. shall nurse
Uncle Robert even II have to dismiss
DR.. Massey and get another ply
sician."
There was nothing to be gained by
opposing her at this dime. so held my
non-committal peace, doubling, never.
theless. the practicability of her prop
osition. But to her next proposal l
must needs interpose the obstructive
truth.
Come" she commanded, brushing
back from her temples with both
hands the encroaching golden halo.
with the gesture OF one who prepares