The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-28
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Kisrnet.
BY SUSAN cLAeETT
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure
Newspaper ~Syndlcate)


Newspaper ~Syndicate)
THE air was filled with the per-
fume Of roses, and the morning
breeze that blew the curtains to
and fro waited the delicious fragrance
through the open window into the
room. A little child was seated on the
floor burying white kitten under a
heap of the blood red petals she had
pulled from the stems scattered about.
Near her lay doll very much undress.
ed. Beside 1t, an array OF clothes
ready for use when its mistress re
lnembered what was due to RESPONSE.
bility.
watching the group with listless
eyes was a woman, stretched with an
invalid's inertness upon a couch. She
was half listening to the chiIds low
talk when she caught the sound. OF a
step In the hall. A faint color rose
to her face to disappear even before
the door opened to admit man, quick
and alert in movement, whose keen
eyes softened to a marvellous gentle
ness as he looked toward her. He not.
ed her restless movement. slight
thought 1t was, then laid his hand on
the child's head, laughing softly as
he turned her face to meet his gaze.
What sort of mother are you, Ruth,
TO leave your offspring in this con.
dition?'
II am so glad you have come, Doc
tor Max; have been very anxious"
she answered gravely as he handed
the doll to him. 81 am afraid Colum-
bia has hurt herself and will have to
have an operation"
lie took the doll from her Seating
himself OH a low chair he soon had the
stjffened joints in order Then he
turned and took the slender hand of
4. rs woman into his strong, warm clasp.
M h professional quickness he motto.
S.le irregular pulse, the heavy eyes,
said gently:
You did not sleep last night
NO" she answered, wave of col
or flooding her face as she met his
eyes.
He sighed heavily. Rising. he went
TO the window, where he stood look.
ing with tnseeing eyes into the beau.
ttful garden.
you gain no strength" he said at
last; the misery in his heart told in
the sudden straing of his voice. 81
see II every time come. If thought
my leaving would be your gain would
go within the hour, but you need me
as physician. q friend, a compan.
ion. Friend" he repeated with sudden
passion, then paused 1t was some
minutes before he could speak in his
ordinary tone.
Margaret" he said at last, "hap.
piness would be everything to you.
Why will you put 1t from your You
need my love and care and the peace
that will come from complete self.
surrender. What is the use of this CD.
position? 1t is killing you. My life
is. torment seeing you slowly but
surely drifting from me. 1t is the
constant effort to keep the barrier
between us that tells upon your
strength. God knows I think first
of you. He knows my agony-knows
how have writhed before Him pray
ing to be shown the right. If you
were we'll and strong would go quick.
ly,f without word. But no one un.
derstands you as do. You need me
as your physician, and yet you are slip.
ping away from me because of the
very thing you will not accept. You
hay no one by coming to me. You
are )lone as we'll as /, and hearts can
be starved as we'll as bodies, only
some take longer to die than others.
u am a>strong man, Margaret, while
you. Dear, 1t is your life as well
as mine beg for. We have right
to happiness, and peace would come