Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-12-28

in the back room to sleep on"
Sidney's mind flew to Christine and
her bright future, to a rousseau
bought with the Lorenz money, to
Christine settled down, a married wom-
an, with Palmer Howe. She came back
with an effort. Harriet had two TRAN
gular red spots in her sallow cheeks.
81 can get a few good models-that's
the only way to start. And if you care
to do handwork for me, Anna, I'll SEND
it to you, and pay you the regular
rates. There isn't the call for it there
used to be, but just a touch gives
DASH"
All of Mrs. Pages grievances had
worked their way to the surface. Sid
ney and Harriet had made her world,
such as it was, and her world was in
revolt. She flung out her hands.
81 suppose 1 must do something.
With you leaving, and Sidney renting
her room and sleeping On a folding
bed in the sewing room, everything
seems upside down. l never thought
| should live to see strange men running
in and out of this house and carry
ing latchkeys." This reference to LIE
Moyne, whose tall figure had made a
hurried exit some time before.
Harriet's eyes were brighter already
as she went out. Sidney, kissing her
in the hall and wishing her luck, real
lied suddenly what 4 burden she and
her mother must have been for the last
few years. She threw her head up
proudly. They would never be a bur-
den again-never, as long as she had
strength and health!
By evening Mrs. Page had worked
herself into a state bordering on hys-
terra. Harriet was out most of the day.
She came in at three O'Clock, and Ka-
tie gave her a cup of tea. At the news
of her sisters condition, she merely
shrugged her shoulders.
She'll not die, Katie" she said
calmly. "But see that Miss Sidney
eats something, and if she is worried
tell her l said to get Doctor Ed"
Very significant of Harriet's altered
outlook was this casual summoning OF
the Streets family doctor. She was
already dealing in larger figures. The
recklessness of pure adventure was in
her blood. She had taken rooms at 6
rental that she determinedly put out
of her mind, and she was on her way
to buy furniture. No pirate, fitting our
u ship for the highways of the sea
ever experienced more guilty and de
lightful excitement.
The afternoon dragged away. Doc
tor Ed was 'Out on a case" and nigh
not be in until evening. Sidney sat in thu
darkened room and waved a fan owe
her mothers rigid form. At half pas
five Johnny Rosenfeld, from the alley
who worked for Il florist after school
brought Il box of roses, and departe,
grinning impishly. He knew Joe, ha,
seer him in the store. Soon the ale,
knew that Sidney had received a. dozel
Killarney roses at three dollars and
half, and was probably engaged to 10
Drummond.
NJ IL Il s. =
Doctor Ed" said Sidney, as he TO
l lowed her down the stairs, "can 20
} spare the time to talk to me a littl
: while?"
Perhaps the elder Wilson had
quick vision of the crowded ofiC
waiting across the Street but his r
ply was prompt:
{ ANY amount of time"
Sidney led the way into the sma
parlor, where Joe'S roses, refused
Il the ~petulant invalid upstairs, bloomt
e alone.
7. "First of ALL" said Sidney, did "
mean what you said upstairsT
Doctor Ed thought quickly.
p "Of course; but what?"
"YOu said l was q born nurse"
The Street was very fond Of Doct
e Ed. 1t did not always approve
o him. 1t said-which was perfect
true-that he had sacrificed himself
re his brothers career-that for the sa
of that brilliant young surgeon, d.
tor Ed had done without wife a
"a children that to send him abroad
had saved and skimped; that he ST
IL went shabby and drove the old bug
he while Max drove about in an auton
bile coupe. Sidney, not at all Of t
IL stuff martyrs are made of, sat in t
d, scented parlor, and, remembering
this, was ashamed of her rebellion.
rs I'm going into a hospital" said S
er ney.
es Doctor Ed waited. He liked to ht
a all the symptoms before he made
'p- diagnosis or ventured IN opinion.
Sidney, trying to be cheerful, and qu
unconscious of the anxiety in her vol
I'd. told her story.
a cts fearfully hard work, of cours
els he commented, when she had finish
an $50 is anything worth while. Ii
les at the way you work"
Doctor Ed rose and wandered aroI
of the room.
er, II don't think | like the idea"
Tor said at last. ITS splendid work
I'd an older woman. But it's life, chill
life in the raw. 1t seems such an
hid necessary sacrifice"
If "Don't you think" said Sidney bra
it ~, that you are n poor person to {
of sacrifice? Haven't you always,
for your life
i'd Doctor Ed colored to the roots
: u his straw-colored hair.
Certainly not" he said almost /
ear tably. '"Max had genius; | had--a
ire ity. That's different. One real
ny cess Is better than two halves. Not
,ss. he smiled down at her--"not tina
minimize my usefulness. Someb
has to do the hack-work, and, IL |