The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
The Evening Story
Helms Holiday.
(By Dorothy Bhckmore.)

He4cD'S Holiday.
(By Dorothy Bhckmore.)
Never. in all her ten years behind
the ribbon counter. had Helen Roys-
ton looked forward to her holidays
with greater anticipation. She was
tired and weary of measuring RIB
bons and of going home to the tiny
hallroom at night. where no comfort
prevailed save that of having her lit
tie sister waiting for her.
| Helen had managed, by saving even
the pennies, to support herseh and
Dolly, q SKIM child of thirteen. for
ten years. For the last five Of those
years she had also by dint Of saving
lunch money accumulated q meager
sum that enabled her to take much
needed holiday. She and Dolly found
a cheap little boarding house by the
sea and there, for two weeks out OF
the year. they managed to forget that
toll and WEAKNESS was the greater
part Of their existence.
| II can hardly wait until Saturday.
Dolly mine," Helen said as she
slipped her arm about the slim little
sister whose cheeks were only a
shade less pale than her own. II think
| If I hadn't had you to come home
to these last few months 1 couldn't
have stood the strain. We will have
the time of our Hives this year down
at the sea side" She gave her sister
an extra hug before looking over the
scanty wardrobe preparatory to put
ting it in the trunk.
| But. alas! Helen was destined not
to get her holiday at the seaside. On
the Friday morning before they had
intended to leave she was seized with
pains that flung her onto her bed in
might to stand and to overcome the
physical pain, she could not and was
forced to succumb.
Dolly, white and frightened, in
sisted on running out to the old doc
tor who had brought her safely
Through the measles and all her
childish complaints.
The old doctor had gone away, but
his substitute quickly followed the
frightened child to the boarding house
and up to the hall room where Helen
tried bravely to ward of the ap-
lproach of illness.
1T means" the young doctor said.
lgravely. that you will have to go to
the hospital tonight. An operation
at. once is necessary
II cannot possibly CO." Helen ex-
lclaimed quickly. and glanced at Dolly.
my sister IL entirely alone and i
She might be-alone-if you put
this off," DR.. Carter said gently. He
thought only for a moment, then
Hooked smilingly at Dolly. MY
mother will be delighted to have this
Iyoungster with her-until you have
recovered" he said. turning his eyes
full on Helen.
Dolly flew to her sisters arms and
chung there. weeping wildly until DIR.
Garter drew her gently away.
I'VE will only take your sister to a
comfortably big room in the hospital,
cut out a nasty little appendix that
has been robbing her of pink cheeks,
10y hv-1v hn Oh 70 LII
like fighting COCK
Hen" suggested Helen. smiling
family
The doctor laughed and Dolly found
herself feeling more cheerful.
MY mother will bring you to the
land you can pick flowers with your
town little fingers to bring to-sister.' .
He turned from the sudden light in
Dolly's eyes and saw tears in the
elder sisters. What" he cried,
laughingly. Have you never picked
howers?"
We've lived in a ballroom all our
lives" apoEogized Helen. 1T will be
a taste of heaven for her to live
where there are flowers growing
1T won't be heaven till you get
there" Dolly said quickly. After a
moment she stood up like little sol
der and said she was going to be
brave and cheerful until Helen 9
nasty little appendix" was a thine
of the past.
DR.. Carter walked more or less blind
~ as he made his way back to the Of
flee. 1t was not often. even in his pro-
fession that he played a part in a
scene that made his throat ache SC
painfully. He could not forget the
brave struggle to smile that Helen Roy
ston had made. nor the love that en-
veloped the two sisters like a halo.
He telephoned to the hospital and
to the surgeon to whom he wanted
to trust the case.
DO everything you can" he added
when the arrangements had beer
made. This girl has a small sister
depending on her. You know the
rest" When he had hung up the re-
ceiver DIR. Carter found time to order
flowers to be sent to the room that
was to be Helen Roystons at the hos
pital.
1t was he himself who drove her down
that evening. and they stopped at the
home OF his mother to leave Dolly
under Mrs. Carriers care.
IF you are q good girl" he told her
, trying to make light Of the situation Of
parting. Il will come for you Sunday
and whirl you down to see your ap.
. pendixless sister,
: After the parting Helen felt hel
: nerves relax and she wept softly.
ut win be over before you know
about it. DIR. Carter told her with hi,
gentle soothing tone playing upon hel
tired nerves and resting them wonder
! fully.
ut i Lot the .peration-that UNI
nerves me-" she said quickly. ''I WAS 60
, ing with Dolly to the seaside tomorrow
and now" She did not finish he
, sentence. but DR.. Carter realised afresl
. the brave spirit contained in Heller
5 Royston's fraiI body.