Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-05

lips. she caught the expression in his
eyes and retrefAd from him, all
eager to be caught that she might
lay her face against that shoulder
she had regained, yet with the
maiden instinct for fight. Back
back and Jim laughingly advancing
toward her, laughing with a curious
eobbing sound intermingled with it.
And then he halted, the hadow of
impending catastrophe gripping its
icy hand upon him, freezing his
blood. His lips uttered a cry OF
warning, even as Rita's shrilled forth
;one of terror and appeal. The rip
ping of a sounded as her heel
caught in a rufhe Of her boudoir
gown, tripping her. The heavier
sound of falling portieres as she
dragged them down in clutching for
support against the fall. With a sick
ening crash she plunged down the
stairs.
VI.
DR.. Judd gently withdrew himself
from the clutching fingers of the Rev.
erend Deane. He had felt very sorry
for this old man who, since the day
of Rita's accident, had paced up and
downtown and up outside the man.
sion, wistfully scanning the PHYSICIANS
face when he came and went, for news
of his daughters condition.
THE operation was a complete sue
cess and she is almost able to be
about" he said, then, as the old man
turned away with . sign of relief:
"but I think you had better come
with me today. She may need you
now" He whispered in the clergy
mans ear and the old man straight
ened as though he had been stung,
| his faan uynrlriny nnnNJfIcfpalu Than
he nodded quietly n followed the
surgeon to the room where Rita sat In
a chair, her husband standing beside
her.
He did not mind the GOODNESS of his
son-in-law's reception, did not mind
the ~hesitancy of his daughters kiss.
lie deserved all this. He only wished
to be with her, to help her in her hour
of misery, the misery he could feel
running as an undercurrent beneath
DR.. Judd's CHEEKY words.
"Yes, little girl, you came through
the operation nobly. 1t was a COM
plete success. I didn't think o had
the strength for such a battle as you
put up"
Rita blushed, looking meaningly up
at her husband.
"I had Just gained untold strength
before the fall"
well, 1t worked wonders. 1t saved
you life, Mrs. White. And now in a
few days everything will be as it was
before except the happiness of moth
erhood can never"
Like tiny threads of steel her fingers
gripped his wrist. He nodded, avoid
ing the Mortified expression in those
eyes. She did not weep-he only
prayed that she would. She merely
stared stonily into space. Her hus-
band tenderly placed his hand upon
her hair. She did not look at him.
The Reverend Deane was upon his
knees, fondling her icy fingers, but she
seemed not to be aware of his pres
ence. DR.. Judd motioned them from
the Don
"She must be alone until she re-
covers from the Shock" he explained.
Alone?
A bitter smile curved her lips as she
stared into space. Her eyes were the
eyes of one seeing wraiths, her ears
seemed fairly peaked with the tensity
of her listening.
Alone?
Always alone she would be. Always
alone with h ghosts. Always alone,
listening for the pattering of baby feet
through the place. Always alone,
|. searching for the "losted" ones she
her life would be consecrated to the
i, search.
Stonily she stared: eagerly she 1iss-
ened. And no tears would come,
would ever come to soothe and balm
the soul of her.
WHO PAYS?
(End of Story Number Tvxo.y