The Washington herald., 1914-11-22


would go toward supporting a wife. He
was trying to remember which of the
men in his office were married, and
whether they were those whose salaries
were smaller than his own. - Sam
was so long considering Sister Anne q
life position that his silence had become
significant; and to cover his real thoughts
he said hurriedly:
THE typewriting. for instance. That
pays very wen. The hours are not diff
cult" o.. . ...
,'Apd manieuring?" suggested Sister
Anne. -.s.
Sam exclaimed in horror.
Your he cried roughly-"For youl
Quite impossibleP' r
why for me?' asked the girl. go
Your" protested Sam-'You in a bar
ber's shop washing mems fingers who
are not fit to wash the streets you walk
on Good Dordr' His vehemence was
quite honest. The girl ceased smiling.
Sam was still jabbing at the gravel walk,
his profile toward her-and, unobseryed.
| she could study his face. 1t was an
attactive face-strong. clever. almost
Illegally good-looking. With his
eyes full of concern, Sam turned to her
abruptly. '''
| 'I think you are working too hard, I"
he said, smiling happily-"I think you
ought 20 have a change. You ought to
take day of! Do they ever give you
day OFF,
Next Saturday" said Sister Anne.
WHY"
Because" explained Sam. "if you
won't think 1t too presumptuous, I was
going to prescribe q day OF for you-a
day entirely away from iodoform and
white enameled cots. 1t is what you
need, a day in the city and a lunch
where they have music: and a matinee,
Vhare Voy can lanRh-Or cFy ~ like
that better-and then, maybe. some fresh
| air in the park in taxi; and after that
dinner and more theater-and then I'll
see you safe on the train for Greenwich.
Before you answer" he added hurrtedly,
'T want to explain that ! contemplate
taking a day on myself and doing all
these things with you-and that II you
want to bring any of the other forty
nurses along as a chaperon. 1 hope you
will. Only, honestly, 1 hope you won't"
The proposal apparently gave Sister
Anne much pleasure. She did not say
so, but her eyes shone and when she
looked at Sam she was almost laughing
with happiness.
''I think that would be quite delightful"
said Sister Anne-"quite delightful! Only
it would be frightfully expensive; even
If don't bring another girl, which 1 GER
tainly would not, it would cost great
deal Of money. l think we might cut out
the taXicab-and walk IN Ine PARK anu
feed the squirrels" -
Sans heart was singing with pleasure
Its so kind of you to consent" he
cried. Indeed, you are the kindest per-
son in all the world. I thought so when
saw you bending over these sick peo-
pie, and now know"
1T is you who are kind" protested
Sister Anne, ito take pity on me-"
PITY on your laughed Sam. You can't
pity a person who can do more with
smile than old man F1agg can do with
all his millions Now" he demanded in
happy anticipation, where are we to
mcet?'
That's it." said Sister Anne. Where
are we to meet?'
/. Let it be at the Grand Central Sta
ton. The day can't begin too soon"
said Sam; land before then telephone me
what theater and restaurants you want
and I'll reserve seats and tables. Oh,
exclaimed Sam joyfuIly. cit will be
wonderful day-a wonderful day"
Sister Anne looked at him curiously
and. so it seemed. little wistfully. She
held out her hand.
II must 20 back to my duties" she
said "Good-by."
Not rood-by," said Sam heartily
only until Saturday-and my names
Sam Ward and my address is the city
room Of the Republic. What's your
name?''
sister Anne" said the girl. I'm the
nursing order to which I belong we have
no last names"
So asked sam. 'Tn call you Sister
Amer
NO; Just Sister" said the girl
sister, repeated Sam-"Sister!" He
breathed the word rather than spoke II:
and the way he said it and the way he
looked when he said IT made it carry
almost the touch of a caress. 1t was as
if he had said "Sweetheart"' or Be
Iovedr' I'll not forget" said Sam.
Sister Anne gave an impatient, an
noyed laugh.
Nor l." she said.
Sam returned to New York in the
smoking-car, putting feverishly at his
cigar and glaring dreamily at the smoke.
He was living the day over again and.
in anticipation, the day off. still to come.
He rehearsed their next meeting at the
station; he considered whether or not he
would meet her with a huge bunch OF
violets or would have II brought to her
when they were at luncheon by the head
waiter. He decided the latter way would
be more of a pleasant surprise. He
planned the luncheon. 1t was to be the |
most marvellous repast he could evolve; |
and. lest there should be the slightest
error, he, would have it prepared in ad- |
NanCe-ano II SnOuld COST halI MS week |
salary.
He calculated that the whole day
ought to cost about $50, which, as star |
reporter, was what he was then earning |
each week. That was little enough to |
give for day that would be the birth |
day of his life! No, he contradicted- |
the day he had first met her must al |
ways be the birthday of his life; for |
never had he met one like her and he I
was sure there never would be one like |
her-she was so entirely superior to all |
the others, so fine. so difficult-in her |
manner there was something that rem
dered her unapprOachable. . "
When he reached New York, from the |
spectators he bought front-row seats at |
s. for the two most popular plays in |
town. He put them away carefully in |
his waistcoat pocket. Possession of 1
them made him feel that already he |
had obtained an option on six hours Of |
complete happiness.
After she left Sam. Sister Anne passed |
hurriedly through the hospital to the
matron's room and, wrapping herself in |
a raccoon coat, made her way to a wait
ing motorcar and said 'Home!" to the
chauffeur. He drove her to the Flagg
family vault, as Flagg's envious million
aire neighbors called the pile of white /
marble that topped the highest hill above
Greenwich, and which for years had
served as a landfall to mariners on the
Sound.
There were a number Of people at tea
when she arrived and they greeted her
noisily.
Il have had n most splendid adven-
rn ArVa |