Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-22

and demand more. II pleased the older
man vastly. 1t reminded him of Max's
boyhood, when he had read to Max at
night. For once In the last dozen
years. he needed him.
"Go on, Ed. What In blazes makes
you stop every five mlnutesT" Max pro-
tested, one day.
Doctor Ed. who had only stopped to
bite of the end Of stogie to hold In
his cheek, picked up his book in
hurry, and eyed the invalid over 1t.
"Stop bullying. I'll read when I'm
ready. Have you any idea what I'm
reading?"
."Of course"
swell, / haven't. For ten minutes I've
been reading across both pages"
Max laughed, and suddenly put out
his hand. Demonstrations Of affection
were SO rare with him that for mo-
ment Doctor Ed was puzzled. Then,
rather sheepishly, he took 1t.
"When I get out" Max said, "we1l
have to go out to the White Springs
again and have supper"
That was all but Ed understood.
On the day when X. had told Max his
reason for giving up his work, Sidney
spent her hour with Max that evening
as usual. His big chair had been
drawn close to window, and she
found him there, looking out. She
kissed him. But instead Of letting her
draw away, he put out his arms and
caught her to him.
"Srnile at me. You don't smile any
more. You ought to smile; your
mouth"
II am almost always tired; that's all,
Max"
She eyed him bravely.
"Aren't you going to let me make
love to you at all? You get away be-
yond my reach"
II was looking for the paper to read
to you"
A sudden suspicion famed In his
eyes.
Sidney, you don't like me to touch
you any more. Come here where ! can
see YOU"
The fear Of agltating him brought
her quickly. For a moment he was ap-
peased.
THAT'S more like 1t. How lovely you
are, Sidneyw He lifted first one hand
and then the other to his lips. Are
you ever going to forgive met"
III you mean about Carlotta. I for.
gave that long ago."
He was almost boyishly relieved.
What wonder she was SO lovely,
and so sane. Many a woman would
have held that over him for years-not
that he had done anything really wrong
on that nightmare excursion. But so
many women are exigent about prom
ises.
"When are you going to marry mef"
1--WE needn't discuss that tonight,
Max. Can't we talk things over when
you are stronger?
Her tone caught his attention. and
turned him a little white. He faced
her to the window, SO that the light fell
on her.
"what thingsi What do you meanT
He had forced her hand. She had
meant to wait; but, with his keen eyes
on her, she could not dlssemble.
81 am going to make you very I'M
happy for a little WHILE"
"Wellf"
"Tve had lot Of time to think. II
isn't that I am angry. / am not even
Jealous. was at first. II isn't that.
It's hard to make you understand. l
think you care for me-"
"But. good heavens, Sidney, you do
care for me. don't youf"
I'm afraid / don't, Max; not
enough"
She tried to explain, rather pitifully.
After one look at his face, she spoke
to the window.
"rm so wretched about II. | thought
/ I cared. To me you were the best and
greatest man that ever lived. I-when
l said my prayers, l. But that doesn't
matter. You were q sort OF god to
me-"
/ He groaned under his breath.
"No man could live up TO that, Sid
ney."
"No. see that now. But That's the
way I cared It's just that ] nevcI
loved the real you, because ! never
knew you"
When he remained silent. she made
an attempt to justify herself.
"Td known very few men," she said
II came into the hospital. and for {
time life seemed very terrible. Their,
were Weaknesses had never heart
bf. and somebody always paying FOL
them. was always asking. Why
whyf Then you would come In. and I
lot Of them you cured and sent on
You gave them their chance, don't 20
seer Until knew about Carlotta, 20
always meant that TO me. You wef
like Railways helping"
The room was very silent. In III
nurses parlor, n few feet down the CO
ridor. the nurses were Mt prayers.
"yca. though I walk through the VA
ley Of the shadow Of death"
The man In the chair stirred. II
had come through the valley Of u