The Irish standard., 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XII.

| When Palmer and Christine returned
from their wedding trip Anna Page
made much of the arrival, insisted on
dinner for them that night at the little
house, must help Christine unpack her
trunks and arrange her wedding gifts
about the apartment. She was brighter
than she had been for days, more in
terested. The wonders of the trous-
seau filled her with admiration and
sort of jealous envy for Sidney, who
could have none of these things. In
pathetic sort of way she mothcred
Christine in lieu of her own daughter.
And 1t was her quick eye that dis
cerned something wrong. Christine
was not happy. Under her excitement
was an undercurrent Of reserve. Anna,
rich in maternity if in nothing else,
felt it, and in reply to some speech of
Christmas that struck her as hard, not
quite fitting, she gave her gentle adj
monishing.
"NIarried life takes n little adjust
ing, my Dear" she said. "After we
have lived to ourselves for number
of years, it is not easy to live for
someone else"
Christine Strengthened from the tea
table she was arranging.
"That's true, of course. But why
should the woman do all the adjust
ing?"
"Nlen are more set" said poor Anna.
who had never been set in anything
in her life. ut is harder for them to
give in. And, of course, Palmer is
older, and his habits"
"The less said about Palmer's hab-
| It's the BETTER" flashed Christine. II
appear to have married bunch of
habits"
She gave over her unpacking, and
sat down listlessly by the fire. while
Anna moved about, busy with the small
activities that delighted her.
Christine was not without courage.
She was making n brave clutch at hap
piness. But that afternoon of the first
day at home she was terrified. She
was glad when Anna went and left
her alone by her fire.
| The days exertion had been bad for
Anna. LIE Moyne found her on the
couch in the transformed sewing room,
and gave her a quick glance of appre-
hcnsicn. She was propped up high
with pillows, with bottle of aromatic
ammonia beside her.
"Just-short of BREATH" she painted.
d must get down. Sidney-is COM
ing home-to supper; and-the 9TH
ers-Palmer and"
That was as far MS she got. K,
watch in hand, found her pulse thin,
stringy, irregular. He had been pre-
pared for some such emergency and
he hurried into his room for amyl nj
trate. When he came back she was
almost unconscious. There was no
time even to call Katie. He broke the
capsule in towel, and held it over her
face. After time the spasm relaxed,
but her condition remained alarming.
| Harriet, who had come home by that
time, sat by the couch and held her
sisters hand. Only once in the next
hour or so did she speak. They had
sent for Doctor Ed, but he had not
come yet. Harriet was too wretchcl
to notice the professional manner in
which X. set to work over Anna.
"Tve been very hard sister to her."
she said. "If you can pull her through,
I'll try to make up for it."
Christine sat on the stairs outside,
frightened and helpless. They had
| sent for Sidney; but the little house
had no telephone, and the message was
slow in getting off.
At six o'clock Doctor Ed came pant
ing up the stairs and into the room,
X. stood back.
swell, this is sad. Harriet" said Doc
tor Ed. "Why in the name Of heaven,
when I wasn't around, didn't you get
another doctor. If she had had sone
amyl nitrate"
II gave her some nitrate of amyl,"
said X. quietly. "rhcre wos really no
time to send for anybody. She almost
went under at half-past FIVE"
Max had kept his word. ana evsa
Doctor Ed did not suspect KS secret.
He gave Il quick glance at this tall
young man who spoke SO quietly of
what he had done for the sick woman,
and went on with his work.
Sidney arrived little after six, and
from that moment the confusion in the
sickrOOm was at an end. She moved
Christine from the stairs, where Katie
on her numerous errands must crawl
over her; set Harriet to warming her
mothers bed and getting it ready;
opened windows, brought order and
quiet. And then, with death in her
eyes. she took up her position beside
her mother. This was no time for
weeping; that would come later. Once
she turned to K, standing watchfully
beside her.
II think you have known this for
long time," she said. And, when he
did not answer: "Why did you let me
stay away from her? 1t would have
been such little time!"
I'VE were trying to do our best for
both Of you" he replied.
Anna was unconscious and sinking
fast. One thought obsessed Sidnav.