The Washington herald., 1914-01-11

counts love the greatest thing in The
world"
Il knew you had been visiting his
poor patients with him and feeding
and clothing his paupers. l had no
idea you had fallen in love with him."
Il have not said that 4 am in love
with him. 1 have said that l shah not
marry an emotional drone."
A few days later when Vernon went
to the Lane home for his usual Sunday
afternoon call he was told that Miss
Lane was not in. He was puzzled
Phyllis was always at home on Sunday
afternoons unless she was out with him
Two days later he called again. Miss
Lane was not in
Half a block away he met Dr. Melford.
He turned TO see DIR. Melford entering the
Lane home.
For a week Vernon tried to secure COM
munication with Phyllis. He called and
the servant said she was not at home. He
phoned. The answer was the same.
He sent her flowers. but there was no
acknowledgment He wrote and asked for
an explanation. Silence.
He was going down the steps OF the
Lane home. Miss Lane was not in, he
had been told. The front door opened
and DR.. Melford came forth.
rs Miss Lane ill?" Vernon's voice be-
tokened wrath rather than anxiety.
DR.. Melford answered deliberately
Miss Lanes friends have no cause to
be uneasy about her health. She has a
"a splendid color"
vernon's scowI deepened. Without a
word he left the physician.
That evening Vernon. walking slowly
past the Lane home, saw a white-robed
figure on the veranda- He hurried to-
ward it.
DO not come one step nearer"
Phyllis's voice commanded.
Vernon stopped ten feet from the
veranda- Phyllis, what does this mean?
Why have you refused to see me or to
speak with me? I am the lonesomest
man in the world without you. dear.
love you with all my heart. I did not
realize how much I loved you until you
hanished me. The whole world is dark
and dreary, Phyllis, without you"
You are not in love? You?" Phyllis
voice was incredulous.
"Of course I'm in love. A man could
not be more completely. Overwhelmingly
in love than I am. and no man could be
more miserable. Do you love Melford?
Is he the cause of my banishment
You were banished because-because
have had the measles. I caught them
from one Of DIR. Melford's patients.
Measles are intensely amusing to the peo-
pie who do not have them, and the whole
town would have thought Phyllis Lanes
measles an excellent joke. DR.. Melford
and the servants were sworn to secrecy. :
and, of course, DR.. Melford has had to
come to see me often. I have never
been in love with him. / have been IN
terested in some of the poorest patients
and have visited them with him and the
trained nurse, 20 whom he is engaged.
DO not come nearer. My face Is still
very red and I am awfully ugly. Edward.
when / get well will you hire a decrepit
old livery vehicle and drive me out into
the country and eat ha msandwiches?"
Dearest, / can think of nothing that
would be more glorious Phyllis, I am
net an emotional drone. I am a man
thoroughly alive to the fact that love-
is the greatest thing life holds"
Phyllis drew a long breath. No doubt
every great strategist draws a long
breath when he sees the successful re-
suit of his careful manipulation of cir
What duh person you
were,'' she said. Il refused you not be-
cause I did not love you-for dld-but
because you did not know that you loved
me-"