The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-02-23

She forgot everything about him,
except that he was some one to
be comforted, and her charge. She
sat down on the bed by him, still
holding tight to his hands.
mo. indeed" she said, bending
nearer TO him, her long, loose hair
falling forward about her reso-
lutely smiling face. Don't you
remember seeing me? l never
was a nurse"
"What-are your" he asked,
feebly.
"Pm-why, the children call
me the Liberty Teacher" she an
swered. II occurred to her that 1t
would be better to talk on bright
ly at random than to risk speak
ing of his mother to him, as she
must II she reminded him of their
marriage. 81 spend my days in a
basement, making bad little boys
get SO interested in the Higher
Culture that they'll forget to
shoot craps and smash windows.
One of the things which had
aided Phyllis to rise from desk
assistant to one of the chlldren's
room librarians was a very sweet
and carrying ycice-a voice which
arrested even child's attention.
and held its interest. 1t held
Allan now; merely the sound Of
1t, seemingly.
Go on-talking," he murmur-
ed. Phyllis smiled and obeyed.
Sometimes the Higher Culture
doesn't work." she said. "Yester-
day one of my imps got hold of
volume of Shaw, and N halt an
hour his aunt marched in on me
and threatened | don't know what
to a library that taught children
to disrespect their lawful guar
deems"
IL remember now" said Allan.
You are the gill in the blue dress
The girl mother had me marry. I
remember
Yes" said Phyllis, soothingly.
and a little apologetically. II
know. But that-oh, please, 1t
needn't make bit OF difference.
1t was only so l could SEQ that
you were looked after properly
you know. "I'll never be in the
way, unless you want me to do
something for you."
II don't mind" he said listless-
ly, as he had before. A"Oh,
this dreadful darkness, and moth
er dead in II somewhere"
Wallis" called Phyllis, swift
ly turn up the lights!"
The man slipped the close
green silk shades from the cleo
trio bulbs. Allan shrank as If he
had been hurt.
II can't stand the glare" he
cried.
Yes. you can for a moment"
she said, firmly. IT'S better than
the gastly green glow"
1t probably was the first time
Allan Harrington had been con-
tradicted since his accident. lie
said nothing more for a minute
and Phyllis directed Wallis to
bring sheet of pink tissue paper
from her suit case, where she re-
numbered 1t lay in the folds OF
some new muslin thing. Under
her direction still, he wrapped the
globes in 1t and secured 1t with
string.
"There!" she told Allan trium-
phantly when Wallis was done.
See. there is no glare now; only
a pretty rose-colored glow. Bet
ter than the green, isn't it,"
Allan looked at her again. you
are--kind," NE said. Mother
said-you would be kind. Oh,
mother-mother!" He tried USE
lessly to lift one arm to cover his
convulsed face, and could only
turn his head a little aside.
you can go, Wallis" said
Phyllis softly, with her lips only.
BE in the next room" The man
stole out and shut the door softly.
Phyllis herself rose and went to-
ward the window. and busted her
self in braiding up her hair. There
was almost silence In the room for
a few minutes.
"Thank--you," said Allan
brokenly. "Will you-come back
please?"
She returned swiftly, and sat
by him as she had before.
Would you mind-holding my
wrists again." he asked. II feel
quieter, somehow, when you do
not so lost" There was a pa
thetic boyishness in his tone that
the sad clear lines of his face
would never prepare for you.
Phyllis took his wrists in her
warm, strong hands obediently.
Are you In pain, Allan?" she
asked. do you mind II 1 call you
Allan? It's the easiest way"
He smiled at her a little family.
It occurred to her that perhaps
the novelty of her was taking his
mind a little from his own feel
ings.
"No-no pain. havn't had
any for long time now. Only
the dreadful blackness dragging
at my mind, q blackness the light
hurts"
why" said Phyllis to herself.
being on known ground here
why, it's nervous depression! I
believe cheering-up would help.
know" she said aloud: 1--WE had
lit"
..v.uoo -. ..ts ap.x 49,,