The herald., 1915-01-28
RELEN'S HOLIDAY
BY DOROTHY sLAcKMoRE.

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
ballroom 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 herself and
Dolly, slim child of thirteen, for
ten years.
Il 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. We
will have the time of our lives this
year down at the seaside"
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
an agony Of suffering.
Dolly, white and frightened, insisted
on running out to the old doctor who
had brought her safely through the
measles and all her childish COM
plants.
The old doctor had gone away, but
his substitute quickly followed the
frightened child to the boarding house.
1T means" the young doctor said.
gravely, that you will have to go to
the hospital tonight. An operation
at once is necessary"
Il cannot possibly CO." Helen ex-
claimed quickly, and glanced at Dolly.
MY sister is entirely alone and L"
She might be-alone-if you put
this off," Doctor Carter said gently.
He thought only for a moment then
looked smilingly at Dolly. my moth
er will be delighted to have this young
ster with her-until you have recov-
ered," he said, turning his eyes full
on Helen.
Dolly flew to her sisters arms and
chung there weeping wildly until Doc
tor Carter drew her gently away.
I'VE will only take your sister to a
comfortable big room in the hospital.
cut out a nasty little appendix that
has been robbing her pink cheeks.
and bring her back to you looking
like fighting cock"
Doctor Carter walked more or less
blindly as he made his way back to
the Office. II was not often, even
in his profession, that he played
part In a scene that made his throat
ache 80 painfully.
He telephoned to the hospital and
to the surgeon to whom he wanted
to trust the ease.
do everything you can" he added
when the arrangements had been made.
This girl has a small sister depend
ing on her. You know the rest"
During the following two weeks
Helen knew that holiday spent in a
hospital under certain conditions was
an experience that comes to one only
once In a lifetime. She saw sweet
smelling flowers on all sides Of her,
fruits OF all kinds and wonderful
nurses that were angels in disguise.
Ribbon counters, bathrooms, badly
lighted, and weary hours Of waiting for
a holiday that never came, vanished
from her consciousness. All that
seemed now to be Of vital importance
was the coming and going Of Doctor
Carter. In his eyes the light Of the
world fingered for her.
Il don't know how | am ever going
to repay you for all you have done
for me-" she said softly on the day
when she was motored to his home
to finish off the road to health. In
the days to come when l am meas
uring ribbons will be bordering con-
tinually on your kindness and trying
to find some means whereby / can
repay you even in a slight degree,
Helen" he interrupted swiftly,
there is only one way in the whole
world that you can repay me, and
that Is by loving me. l want you for
my wife, and l want Dolly for my
sister, and my mother wants you
BOTH" he laughed softly and impris-
oned her wonderful, love-lit eyes.
There are no two ways about it.
dear-you will have to be mine
From the prison his arms had made
Helen made no attempt to escape. She
laughed softly back at him and flung
herself into closer captivity.
That evening she took Dolly into
her arms and told her all about 1t.
The slim little sister looked mischiev-
ously back at her.
1T is a pity you missed your holi-
day, is it not?" she questioned. Il
am so happy, dearie," she added
warmly.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)