The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-03-16
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 filed her with admiration and a
sort of jealous envy for Sidney, who
could have none of these things. In
pathetic sort of way she mothered
Christine in lieu of her own daughter.
And it 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
Christine's that struck her as hard, not
quite fitting, she gave her gentle ad-
monishing.
married life takes a 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?"
MEN are more Set" said poor Anna,
who had never been set in anything
In her life. "It is harder for them to
give in. And, of course, Palmer is
older, and his habits"
1.-THE less said about Palmer's hab-
it's the better" flashed Christine. Il
appear to have married a 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 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 quick glance of appre-
hension. She was propped up high
with pillows, with bottle of aromatic
ammonia beside her.
"Just-short of breathe" she painted.
I'll must get down. Sidney-is COM
ing home-to supper; and-the 9TH
ers-Palmer and"
That was as far as she got. K,
watch IL hand, found her pulse thin,
stringy, irregular. He had been pre-
pared for some such emergency, and
ne hurried into his room for amyl nj.
trate. When he came back she was
almost unconscious. There was nc
time even to call Katie. He broke the
capsule in a towel, and held it over heI
face. After a time the SpaSm relaxed
but her condition remained alarming
Harriet, who had come home by that
time, sat by the couch and held heI
sisters hand. Only once in the next
hour or so did she speak. They had
sent for Doctor Ed, but he had moi
come yet. Harriet was too wretched
to notice the professional manner in
which X. set to work over Anna.
"rve been a 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 hat
sent for Sidney; but the little house
had no telephone, and the message wa:
slow In getting off.
At six o'clock Doctor Ed came pant
ing I'D the stairs and into the room
K. stood back.
swell, this is sad, Harriet" said Doc
tor Ed "Why in the name of heaven
when 1 wasn't around, didn't you sc
another doctor. If she had had SOM
amyl nitrate"
81 gave her some nitrate of amyl,
said X. quietly. "There was really nj
time to send for anybody. She almos
went under at half-past tive."
Max had kept his word, and ever
Doctor Ed did not suspect KS secret
He gave a quick glance at this tai
young man who spoke so quietly o
what he had done for the sick woman
and went on with his work.
Sidney arrived little after six, ant
from that moment the confusion in tn
sickroom was at an end. She moves
Christine from the stairs, where Kati
on her numerous errands must craw
over her; at Harriet to warming he