The Washington herald., 1916-07-23

entered, but she at once rose with a stiff
nod and went out.
Tom noticed the nurses odd manner
and wondered at II. Minna did not OBJ
serve It at all, being too full of thoughts
of her own. The instant Olive had left
the room Minna voiced these thoughts:
I've news for you, Mr.. Olcott," she
began. "I hope you'll take It as good
news. though I'm afraid it'n put you
out in more ways than one"
What is it?" lazny asked Tom,
amused by her formal preamble. Has
the schools burned down, or have all my
pupils fallen in love with my clever as
sistant, or has the landlord raised the
rent again? II he's raised the rest it's
good news to nobody. Not even to the
landlord. For I'll get out, sooner than
My news isn't about the landlord -
interrupted Minna, nervously. Its
about me-"
Fire away" he commanded. Let's
hear the worst. What is it?''
Henry wilkins asked me last evening
to marry him."
Henry wilkins7" echoed Tom in dis
pleased surprise. That ugly-tempered.
human bank account"
Don't call him names, please" begged
Minna-
why not?'' protested Tom. TITS the
truth. took him on as a pupil because
his money was as good as any ones. But
I got rid OF him as soon as he made him
self Objectionable by trying to fiirt with
you. You remember the row he raised
when I wouldn't let him come to the
school any more?- He hates me like
poison. Why shouldn't I call him
names7"
Because" explained Minna, i've
promised to marry HIM"
"No!" cried Tom, dumbfounded.
Il have she repeated. And 1 am as
much in love with him as could be with
any one. He is well-off. And he adores
me- won't have to worry any longer
about earning a living, and"
And you'll earn a living in the hard
est way ever devised" he retorted, ''if
you earn 1t by a loveless marriage"
Il must Judge that for myself" she
said. And you men can't realize what II
means for home-loving girl to fight her
own way in the business world
II think I can," answered Tom. But
such a fight is honorable and splendid
And It Is almost certain. in time, to lead
to marriage with the right man. Not
with a brute like Henry wilkins"
Don't let's say anything more about
II, please" urged Minna. It only makes
me unhappy. And I've given Henry my
promise. I'm sorry to leave you without
an assistant Henry wants to marry me
at once. But I've persuaded him to wait
until you get back to the school. I'll
keep the classes going till then"
BY that time" replied Tom, 'I may
have some news OF my own for you. I
hope so, with all my heart I'm heels
overhead in love. Minna I haven't had
the nerve yet to tell her so. But
"Oh. I'm so glad. Mr.. Olcott" broke in
Minna, clasping his uninjured hand in
ooth OF hers and smiling down at him IN
eager sympathy. I'm so glad, Who"
The opening OF the door caused them
both to turn. But not soon enough. On
the threshold stool Olive Hale, a clinical
Thermometer in her hand. She had en-
tered in time to see Olcott and Minna
Blair clasping each others hands, their
faces flushed and very close together.
Utterly misleading the meaning Of their
attitude. Olive turned sharply on her heel
and left the room, shutting the door be-
hind her
Presently another nurse came in with
the thermometer. Nor did Olive appear
IN Toms room again that day. The new
nurse curtly informed him that Miss
Hale had been transferred. at her own
request, to one Of the public wards of
the hospital.
Tom, when the second nurse had de-
parted, broke out In dismay:
What in blazes can be the matter with
Miss Hale, Minna? You saw how she
looked at US. And then to ask to be
transferred to a ward! Why, she told
me, herself. that the nurses in charge of
the private rooms had a much easier
til e. In the wards they have to take
care Of a lot OF roughnecks and"
Isis she the girl you're in love with.
Mr.. Olcott?" asked Minna. You looked
at her as II she were an angel Of light. ''
She is!' declared Tom. She's all
that and then some. But she seemed,
just now. to be offended at me. Why, do
you suppose?"
Perhaps" ventured Minna. perhaps
she didn't like my holding your hand"
Nonsense" laughed Tom. why, I've
told her all about you a dozen times. Be-
sides, she knows you don't care q snap
for me, except as a good old chum. Olive
Is too perfect to let herself be Jealous.
Butt almost wish she were. It would
show she cared. What am I to do.
Minna- to square myself"
Let me think" unused Minna: then,
why not send her some flowers?> A
dozen American beauties, for instance?'
Fine applauded Tom. Fine and
candy! I've never yet given her a pres
ent. I've never been where I could buy
one. Get the roses for her, won't Won
on the way home? You'll find plenty of
ash In my vest wallet over on that rack
And take one Of my cards along. too.
Make 1t two dozen American beauties
Instead of a dozen. Get them with stems
mile long. Girls like roses with a
mile Of stem. don't know why"
Minna Blair departed, promising to at
tend to the commission at once Half an
hour later an enormous sheaf of Ameri-
can Beauty roses was handed to Olive
by a hospital orderly.
Olives face flushed with pleasure at
sight Of the magnificent flowers. Then her
glance fell on Tom Olcotts card in the
bottom of the long florist box.
With frown and a tightening II ina
lips she thrust the roses careIksslv back
into their box, along with the card. and
handed the box itself to the grinninC
orderly.
Garry those up to Room a. she bsde
him, and gave them to Mr.. Olcott. Tell
him I say he must have sent them to
me by mistake"
Tom duly received his rejected gift and
the curt message. But that was the Ia 81
word he had from Olive Hale for many
a long day.
At last came a morning when he was
fully dressed and, with his right arm
and shoulder still in the plaster cast was
helped out upon the hospital veranda for
an airing. There he was instilled in one
Of line OF long chairs with several other
convalescents as near neighbors.
The fresh air and the change of seen,