The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-09


she had returned, to- marry Anthony
Blair. the millionaire, who could ar
ford to give her those luxuries which
her butterfly soul desired, and which
the doctor, immersed in his work,
had never dreamed of as necessary
to her, nor been able to crafty.
But that there had been a child she
did not know till that evening when
Mrs. Blair appeared with white face
at the hospital gates and pleaded for
the crippled baby that had been
knocked down. She carried it in her
arms, and Nurse Glynn would never
forget the look Of terror upon her
face. That it was the doctors child
she knew, for 1t must have been four
years old, and 1t was only three years
since the couple had separated.
Well, when he knew, would his
heart turn with yearning toward his
child and cast her out utterly, even
though he knew that the past could
be undone?
The operation was almost ended.
The last instrument was replaced In
the tray Of bubbling water; Doctor
Bentley was sponging the sewn It's
sues with the perchloride and pulling
OF his gloves. He Invested himself
of bis linen garments and stood up
once more conventionally clothed.
Nurse Glynn removed the mask. The
little patient moaned and stirred.
He'll do finely now" she heard the
doctor say. Take him up to the
ward, nurse. And-good-night."
She wheeled the table into the ad-
joining room, transferred the child to
the stretcher, and began pushing 1t
through into the passage. The wo-
man was waiting there-Mrs. Anthony
Blair. Nurse Glynn hesitated involun-
tarily. She heard the doctor at her
heels; In another minute he would
know.
The night nurse took the stretcher
from her. She turned away and lin.
gered q moment near. Then sne saw
the doctor start and heard the wo-
mans sgonized cry.
"Oh, doctor, is he dead? He is not
dead? He will live then! You must
save him!" Then came the little ex-
clamaiion OF recognition and then
silence. The two were standing alone
For the news of the meeting had
spread among the other nurses and
the hospital staff, and they tactfully
disappeared.
"Oh, it's you.' the nurse heard Mrs.
Blair exclaim, in an embarrassed
voice.
Yes, Alice" she heard the doctor
answer gravely. Il am happy to tell
you that he will recover and that the
limb will not be shortened. am so
sorry for you" he added impulsively.
1T must have been q terrific blow.
Your son.
Her son! Was he, then. disclaim.
ing the paternity Of the boy, or did he
not know?
How old is he? He is q promising
little fellow"
Nearly four" answered the woman.
She was still trembling, still overcome
by the shock of the meeting. Her
little butterfly mind was badly bruised,
even as the child's little body had
been.
Four" exclaimed Doctor Bentley
In establishment. Nurse Glynn, stand
ing near, saw his face turn pale. He
made an impulsive step toward her.
Alice! Whose child.is he? Who is
his father?' he demanded fiercely.
Il don't know" sobbed Mrs. Blair.
why do you ask me? Why are you
looking at me like that? Haven't you
injured me enough that you should
terrify me? she sobbed. Il don't
know who is its father nor its mother
either"
'Its-mother!" gasped the doctor.
Isn't he your child them"
Certainly mott" she exclaimed,
drawing herself up Indignantly. DO
you suppose my child would 60 to a
common hospital IL he were injured?
Didn't they tell you that John ran the
automobile over a street brat? Yes"
she continued in a petulant voice,
and crowd gathered and threat.
ened me, and If l hadn't had enough
presence of mind to jump out and
carry him into the hospital they would
have thrown stones at me. And I
dent dare to go out if he should be
going to die, or shall be arrested and
thrown into a common cell"
Have no fear of that, Mrs. Blair, j."
answered the doctor gravely. 81 shall
have you sent home in my own auto
mobile. And the child will be well
IN few weeks. As for the damage"
Mr.. Blair is able to pay for any
damages" replied the woman coldly.
She had not understood.
The doctor bowed and turned away.
He walked straight past Nurse Glynn:
she followed him; he turned and saw
her.
You know. them" he asked, seeing
the look on her face.
Yes. dear" she whispered. And
l have been so afraid"
He pressed her to his heart
You thought it was my child, II
1t had BEEN"
If 1t had been." she whispered
anxiously.
dearest. answered the doctor
gravely. Il might have loved then
But you would still have been ar.t