The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-03-03
HELEN'S HOLIDAY
By DOROTHY BLACKMORE.

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, a slim child of thirteen, for |
ten years.
81 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. I'VE
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,
J van bovo m IN
| the hospital tonight. An operation
at once is necessary"
81 cannot possibly CO." Helen ex-
claimed quickly, and glanced at Dolly.
MY sister is entirely alone and I"
! 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 recoy-
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 a fighting cock"
Doctor Carter walked more or less
blindly as he made his way back to
p the office. 1t was not often, even
4 in his profession. that he played a
4 part in a scene that made his throat
+ ache so painfully.
t He telephoned to the hospital and
to the surgeon to whom he wanted
@ to trust the case.
= DO everything you can he added
It when the arrangements had been made
q This girl has a small sister depend
e ing on her You kAow the rest"
II During the following two weeks
" Helen knew that holiday spent in q
hospital under certain conditions was
an experience that comes to one only
., once in a lifetime She saw sweet
III smelling flowers on all sides of her
fruits of all kinds and wonderful
" nurses that were angels in disguise
l. Ribbon counters, bathrooms, badll
IF lighted and weary hours of waiting TO
re- a holiday that never came, vanished
from her consciousness. All tina
seemed now to be of vital importanc,
was the coming and going of Docto
T. Carter In his eyes the light of tn
T." world fingered for her.
- Il don't know how I am ever goini
to repay you for all you have don
a for me-" she said softly on the da
~ when she was motored to his HON
he to finish off the road to health. 4
nd the days to come when I am mea.
ON uring ribbons l will be bordering cor
he tinually on your kindness and tryin
lis TO find some means whereby / ca
he repay you even in slight degree
Helen" he interrupted swift,
on there is only one way in the Who'll
"- world that you can repay me, an
On that is by loving me. / want you fC
- my wife, and l want Dolly tor m
nC sister. and my mother wants yo
oI both" he laughed softly and impri
oued her wonderful, love-lit eye
.lv There are no two ways about
we dear-you will have to be mine
re- From the prison his arms had mad
ch Helen made no attempt to escape. Sh
ed laughed softly back at him and fun
ed herself into closer captivity.
That evening she took Dolly int
elf her arms and told her all about
oW The slim little sister looked mischie
ously back at her.
II" 1T is a pity you missed your no
'"5 day, is it not?" she questioned.
,,, am so happy, dearie," she adde
pos warmly.
Gle Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure Newsp
- per Syndicate.)