The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-12-14

hah SPChb u nun uObt at AODu . Dtu-
side Olives manner toward him was
d~istantly frigld for the rest Of the
day.
One afternoon Minna came to the
hospital for her twice-a-week call.
Olive Hale was In the room when the
visitor entered, but she at once rose
with a stiff nod and went out.
Tom noticed the nurses odd man
ner and wondered at It. Minna did
not observe 1t at all. being too full
Of thoughts of her own The instant
Olive had left the room NInna voiced
these thoughts:
"Tye news for you, Mr.. Olcott," she
began. II hope you'll take 1t as good
news, though I'm afraid it'll put you
out In more ways than one"
"What ia itf" Iszily asked Tom,
amused by her formal preamble.
"Henry wilkins asked me last eve
ming to marry him."
Henry Wilkins" echoed Tom In
displeased surprise. "That ugly-tem-
pered, human bank accountT"
Don't call him names, please"
begged Nina.
why notT" protested Tom. "It's
the truth. / took him on as a pupil
because his money was as good as
anyone's. But / got rid Of him as
soon as he made himself Objectionable
by trying to firt with you. You re-
member the row he raised when /
wouldn't let him come to the school
any more7 lie hates me like poison.
Why shouldn't l call him names"
Because" explained Minna, "Iye
promised to marry him."
"Now cried Tom, d~umbfounded.
II have" she repeated. "And l am
as much In love with him as I could
be with anyone. He Is well-of. And
he adores me. I won't have to worry
any longer about earning q living,
and"
"And you'll earn a living In the
hardest way ever devised" he retort-
ed, IF you earn 1t by a loveless mar
rage"
Don't let's say anything more about
1t, 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, II may
have some news Of my own for you.
I hope so, with all my heart. I'm
heels-over-head In love, Minna. /
haven't had tho nerve, yet, to tell her
80. But"
"Oh, I'm 30 glad. Mr.. Olcott |" broke
In Minna, clasping his uninjured hand
In both Of hers and smiling down at
him In eager sympathy. "Tm so glad
Who-?
The opening Of the door caused
them both to turn. But not soon
enough. On the threshold stood Olive
Hale. a clinical thermometer In her
hand.
Utterly mlsreading the meaning Of
their attitude, Olive turned sharply
on her heel and left the room, shutting
the door behind her.
Presently another nurse came In
with the thermometer. Nor did Olive
appear In Toms room again that day.
The new nurse CURLY Informed him
that Miss Hale had been transferred,
ut her own request. to n Of the pub
lie wards Of the hospital.
Tom. when the second nurse had de-
parted, broke out In dismay:
What In blaxes can be the matter
with Miss Hale, Nina? You saw how
she looked ut rs. And then to ask to
be transferred to a wardl Why. she
told me, herself. that the nurses In
charge of the private rooms had a
much easier time. In the wards they
have to take ARE Of a lot Of rough
necks and"
isis she the girl you're In love
with. Mr.. Olcottf" 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 ut ne. Why,
do you supposef
Perhaps" ventured Ninna. per
haps she didn't like my holding your
sNonsenser' laughed Tom. "why, |
I've told her al about Jon . dozen
times. Besides. she knows you don't
care q snap for Ee. except q Z good
old chum. Olive II too perfect to let
herself be Jealous. But-but I almost
wish she were. It would show she
cared. What am I to do. Ninna. to
square myselff'
Let me think" unused Ninna; then, |
"why not send her some fowersf A
dozen American beauties, for In
stancer
sFinew applauded Tom @Ffne and
dandy I've reve ret given her al
present. I've never been where u
could buy one. 0es the roses ior her.
went yes, c. the nay hemes r
NInna Blair departed. pr0mising TO
attend to the commission At once.
Halt - hour later an ensenous sheaf
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