The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-30
EVENING STORY
The Cure.
3y Alden Pierce

beside it was another building of the
same size and type, with row of the
same kind of trees in front. She hest
tated. Which was the library? Her
aunt had given her a novel to eX-
change and told ner the car to take.
She hadn't said a word about two
buildings just alike
Mary looked up and down the we'll
ordered, quiet street. She would ask
the first pedestrian! But there were
no pedestrians Just asphalt and
trees and orderliness as far as she
could see in both directions.
She went up the concrete walk and
stone steps, thru Tubber-paved vesti-
bule and glass swing doors into the
dark, cool green-frescoed corridor
with doors opening into various mys-
FERROUS rooms. Not a soul in sight!
It's uncanny," she shivered. Il
feel like Bluebeard's wife. Where do
you suppose all the people in this end
of the globe have disappeared? There
must be a circus somewhere, Well
I've got to find somebody to ask
whether this is the library or the
county Jail. Let's see, which door
shall l take? My mother told me to
take this one.' There, that's settled.
The first door to the right it is then.
AS it happened the door was open
and on it in small letters was the word
| VISITORS.
/ Mary went into the deep-carpeted.
| leather-furnished room and found
emptiness there too. why Visitors
1 wonder, when there is no one TO
visit? l am beginning to think this
| is the outpost of a cemetery She
was nearer right than she thought
While debating her next move, she
heard footstep in the hall. Thank
] goodness Some one at last If she
or he passes this door without COM
come in. That is. he stopped in the
. doorway an instant looked her up and
| down from head to foot as though
trying to decide whether she would
be too heavy to pick up bodily and
run off with. and finally nodded a
I curt good morning.
Good morning, returned Mary
pleasantly will you tell me if this
is the library?'
Next door!'' answered the man.
This is the Stuyvesant Hospital
"Oh. said Mary.
And there's a man upstairs that is
yelling his head off for some girl and
I'm about at my wits end to know
what to d.. Will you Gomez
Il! He'd know the imposition
mo, he wouldn't. He's out of his
head Besides, he's all bandaged up
and he can hardly see.'
Wouldn't the nurse do?" demurred
Mary.
she did for week, but he knows
the difference some way now. He
feels for her cap and cuffs. He Keeps
calling for Mary fit to break your
heart. And as it's brain trouble as
well as broken bones he probably
won't get better. But we must keep
him quiet if we can. l think you d
better come. 1t will only take a few
minutes"
'All right" said Mary, clutching at
her book nervously You'll have to
tell what to saw
You won't need to talk Anyway
he'll do the talking. Let him hold
your hand if he wants to. He may
even want to kiss you.
Mary drew back.
Better let him. said the doctor.
1T won't mean anything to you. and
it may save his life
We'll, if it means his life, l sup
pose" consented Mary.
The elevator took them to the third
floor. The doctor led the way through
a wide corridor to a room with As
marked on the glass door. He held
it open and Mary passed in. The
nurse nodded and took her book.
I'm glad you came she said
On a white iron bed a man lay
swathed in bsndages which crossed
and recrossed his face. His eyes,
| nose and mouth alone escaped. and
; for all Mary could make out he might
have been Ethiopian or Monaghan. II
or 70. He kept muttering incoher-
emily, his eyes staring restlessly round
the room.
The doctor went to, the bed. Here's
Mary" he said. We've brought
Mary" And, turning, he beckoned
her to approach.
How was he hurt - whispered
Mary to the nurse.
.'Football,'' was the laconic answer
Mary went quite close and half bent
over the sick man. Here I ami" she
said softly and repeated, I'm here
what's his name?" she asked quickly
Jim, Call him Jim
I'm here, Jimr' she repeated. and
: laid a soft. cool hand on the hot one
. restleSsly ciutching at the cover. In
! stantly the fingers turned and held
: hers, the restless eyes fastened them
! .sMaryn' he said You will MARI,
me, won't you. Mary? | knew you
would say yes 1 love you. Mary
+ You will marry me. won't you? I've
!. waited so long
Say yes,'' prompted the doctor
This is wonderful We've got to keep
+ it up. He's quieter than he's been fol
days"
YES said Mary.
The man turned over and tried tC
| move the other arm
Take this other hand said the
: doctor. So Mary sat down on the edge
q | of the bed and took the sick man.
other hand in hers.
:, us that what you want, Jim ~ che
asked kindly.
, Something was gripping her heart
q Away off in her own city a mar
= named Jim loved her. And she had
refused his love. But she knew thai
v if he were hurt like this, helpless and
e fighting for his life, she would do al
she could to save him.
t Il knew you'd come, Mary said
It the sick man gripping her hands hard
i? You came to tell me you loved me
2 didn't you2 Kiss me, Mary" And
# STOPPING, she kissed him
n And so holding her hands and talk
!. ing and muttering, he gradually grew
r quieter until he slept.
: Its Marvellous said the doctor
lfinally. I'D no idea it would be lk,