The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-10
HELEN's HOLIDAY
Nv DOROTHY eLAcKMoRE.

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 IT'D
hons and of going home to the tiny
ballroom at night, where no comfort |
prevailed save that of having her III
tie sister waiting for her.
Helen had managed, by saving even
the pennies, to support herself ana
Dolly, slim child of thirteen, for
ten years.
81 can hardly wait until Saturday
Dolly mine" E.elen said as sne
slipped her arm about the slim little
sister whose cheeks were only
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 he'd n
an agony Of suffering.
Dolly, white and frightened. insisted
on running out to the old doctor VINO
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 /
she might be-alone-if you put
this off," Doctor Carter said gently.
He thought only for 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
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. It was not often, even
in his profession, that he played a
part in a scene that made his throat
ache SO painfully.
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 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 fol
holiday that never came, vanished
from her consciousness. All thai
seemed now to be of vital importance
was the coming and going of Doctor
Carter. In his eyes the light Of thu
world fingered for her.
Il don't know how l am ever goini
to repay you for all you have dom
for me-" she said softly on the da!
when she was motored to his hom'
: to finish of the road to health. I'll
, the days to come when l am meas
: uring ribbons will be bordering con
tinually on your kindness and tryini
!. to find some means whereby / cal
repay you even in a slight degree
> Helen" he interrupted swiftly
there is only one way in the who'll
world that you can repay me, an
that is by loving me. want you I'd
: my wife, and I want Dolly for m
e sister, and my mother wants 20
: BOTH" he laughed softly and impri'
oned her wonderful, love-lit eye'
: There are no two ways about !
9 dear-you will have to be nine"
From the prison his arms had mad
Helen made no attempt to escape. Sh
. laughed softly back at him and fun
II herself into closer captivity.
n That evening she took Dolly int
n her arms and told her all about 1
/. The slim little sister looked mischie
n ously back at her.
a 1T is pity you missed your hol
day, is it not?" she questioned.
- am so happy, dearie," she adde
warmly.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure Newsp
oI per Syndicate.)