The Pulaskian., 1917-07-13
CHAPTER xVl-continued.


 "That would be foolish, wouldn't it, when you have done so well? And, besides, since you are not guilty, Sid ney-"
 q didn't do iti" she cried passion ately. sBut I can't keep on; that's all there is to it, I keep saying to my self: You didn't do it, you didn't do it.' and all the time something inside of me is saying, Not now, perhaps; but sometime you may.'" She looked up at him forlornly. 'I am just not brave enough, K."
 wouldn't it be braver to keep on? Aren't you giving up very easily?"
 Her world was in pieces about her, and she felt alone in wide and empty place And, because her nerves were drawn taut until they were ready to snap, Sidney turned on him shrew- Ishly.
 T think you are all afraid I will come back to stay. Nobody really wants me anywhere-in all the world Not at the hospital, not here, not any place. I am no use."
 "When you say that nobody wants you" said K, not very steadily, 1T think you are making a mistake"
 She scanned his face closely, and, reading Mere something she did not understand, she colored suddenly.
 T believe you mean Joe Drum mond"
 [ S n 0nf ,nT1d
 If he had found any encouragement in her face, he would have gone on recklessly; but her black eyes warned him
 If you mean Max Wilson," said Sidney, You are entirely wrong. He's not in love with me. Anyhow, after this disgrace-''
 There is no disgrace, child"
 He'll think me careless, at the least. And his ideals are so high, K"
 You say he likes to be with you. What about you?"
 Sidney had been sitting in a low chair by the fire. She rose with sud den passionate movement. In the in- formality of the household, she had visited K. in her dressing gown and slippers; and now she stood before him, a tragic young figure, clutching breast
 T worship him, K.," she said tragi- eaiiy. When I see him coming, I want to get down and let him walk on me. When I see him in the oper- aung room, cool and calm while ev- eryone else is fiustered and excited, he he looks like a god.'
 Then, half ashamed of her outburst She turned her back to him and stood gazing at the small coal fire. It was as well for K. that she did not see his face.
 Its real, all this?" he asked after pause. You're sure it's not just glamour, Sidney?"
 It's real-terribly real" Her voice was muffied, and he knew then that She was crying.
 She was nightly ashamed of it. Tears, of course, except in the privacy or one's closet, were not ethical on the street.
 Perhaps he cares very much, too"
 Give me handkerchief" said Sid hey In muffied tone, and the little scene was broken into while K. searched through bureau drawer. Then K. questioned her, alternately soothing and probing.
 Who else had access to the medi- cine closet?"
 Narlotta Harrison carried the keys, ol course. l was off duty from four .o SIX. When Carlotta left the ward, tne probationer would have them." nave you reason to think that ei- oaer one of these girls would wish you harm?"
 None whatever" began Sidney ve- .aelnently; and then, checking herself, anIess-but that's rather ridiculous"
 What is ridiculous?"
 I've sometimes thought that Car .o.la--Dut am sure she is perfectly | ,aif I with me. Why. K, she wouldn't " would be murder"
 murder, of course," said R., @in in- senuon, anyhow. Of course she didn't l ,n,a ro ae I'm only trying to find out whose mistake it was.s
 soon after that she said goodnight l ~1u went out. She turned In the door