Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-01
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Copyright, by Mcclure Publications. Inc


accident. And now the work Of the
ward pressed hard. She had only
moment. She stood beside him and
stroked his hand.
"Fm sorry, Johnny"
He pretended to think that her SYM
pathy was for his fall from the estate
Of a private patient to the free ward.
"Oh, I'm all right, Miss Sidney" he
said. "Mr. Howe Is paying six dollars
week for me. The difference between
me and the other fellows around here
is that get napkin on my tray and
they don't"
Before his determined cheerfulness
Sidney choked.
"Have they told you what the trou-
BILE is3'
Backs broke. But don't let that
worry you. DR.. Max Wilson Is going to
operate on me. I'll be doing the tango
yet"
Sldney's eyes shone. OF course, Max
could do 1t. What thing 1t was to be
able to take this llfe-in.death Of
Johnny Rosenfeld's and make 1t life
agalnl
Sidney fed him his morning beef ten,
and, because her eyes filed up with
tears now and then Mt his helplessness,
she was not so skillful as she might
have been. When one spoonful had
gone down his neck, he smiled up ut
her whimsically.
'Run for your life. The dams
burst" he said.
As much as was possible, the hos
pital rested on that Christmas day. In
the afternoon, services were held in
the chapel downstairs. Doctor Max,
lounging against the wall, across the
chapel, found his eyes straying toward
Sidney constantly. How she stood out
from the others! What zest for liv-
Ing and for happiness she had!
The Christmas morning had brought
Sidney half a dozen gifts. X. sent her
silver thermometer case with her
monogram, Christine toilet Ipirror.
But the gift Of gifts, over which Sid
ney's eyes had glowed, was great
box Of roses marked In Doctor Max's
copper-plate writing. "From a neigh
bor."
Tucked In the soft folds of her kerr
chief was one Of the roses that after
noon.
Services over, the nurses filed out.
Max was waiting for Sidney In the cor
ridor.
MERRY Christmas !" he said. and held
out his hand.
"Merry Christmas she said. "You
see I"-she glanced down to the rose
she wore. "The others make the most
splendid bit OF color In the ward
"But they were for your
"They are not any the less mine be-
cause am letting other people have
n chance to enjoy them"
Under all his gayety he was curious
ly dinldent with her. All the pretty
speeches he would have made to Car
lotta under the circumstances died be-
fore her frank glance.
Sidney eyed him, half amused, half
hurt.
"what have I done. MAXI Is II bad
for discipline for us to be good
friendsr
Carlotta was watching them from
the chapel. Something In her eyes
reused the devil OF mischief that al.
ways slumbered In him.
MY cars been stalled In n snow.
drift downtown since early this morn
ing. and have Eds Peggy In sleigh
Put on your things and come for q
ride"
lie hoped Carlotta could hear whai
he snld; TO be certain OF II, he ma
llciously raised his voice trife.
"Just n little rum" he urged. "Pu
on your wnrmest things"
Sidney protested. She was 10 b,
free that afternoon until six o'clock
but she had promised TO go home.
IN. Is alone
"K. can sit with Christine. Ten I,
one. he's with her now"
The temptation was very strong. Sh,
had been working hard all day. Tn
heavy odor OF the hospital. mingle,
with the scent OF pine and evergreen
In the chapel, made her dizzy. Tn
fresh outdoors called her. And. be
sides, II X. were with Christine
"It's forbidden, Isn't III"
81 believe Il Is" lie smiled ut her.
"And yet, you continue to tempt m
and expect me TO yleldl"
"one OF the most delightful thing
about temptation Is yielding now an
then"
After all. the situation seemed nj
surd. Here was her old friend an
nclghbor asking to take her out for
daylight ride. The swift rebellion q
youth against authority surged up |
Sidney.
"vcry well; Ill 60"
Carlotta had gone by that time
zone with hate In her heart and blac
despair. She knew very well what N
issue would be. Sidney would DIRT,
with him. and he would tell her no
lovely she looked with the air on h
face and the snow about her. III
jerky motion Of the little sleigh wou
throw them close together. How We
she knew II ALL He would touch 81