Tombstone epitaph., 1917-10-21

night, tne doctor nliue MS nnaI WISH.
Rose had especially asked Rodney to
be on hand 10 hear his report when
the examination was over.
HE says" Rose told her husband.
"that I'm perfectly WELL" She turned
to the doctor for confirmation. "Don't
you3"
The doctor smiled. "As far as my
dlagnostic resources go, Mrs. Aldrich.
you are perfectly WELL"
Rose smiled widely and contentedly
upon them. That's delightful" She
said TO the doctor. Thanks very
much"
But after he had gone she found
Mrs. Ruston in the nursery and had
talk with that lady, which was des-
tined to produce seismic upheavals.
1--WE decided TO make a little
change in our arrangements, Mrs. Rus
ton" she said. But l don't think
It's one that will disturb you very
much. I'm going TO let Doris 60
I'll get her another place. Of course
and do her work myself"
Mrs. Ruston compressed her lips.
and went on for a minute with what
. she was doing to one of the twins,
as il she hadn't heard. Doris is
quite satisfactory, madam" she said
at last. "rd not advise making n
change. She's a dependable young
woman. as such 60. OF course watch
her very close"
II think I can promise to be de-
pendable." Rose said. Il don't know
much about babies, but think / can
learn as well as Doris. Anyhow.
can wheel them about and wash their
clothes and boil their bottles and
things as well as she does. And you
can tell me what to do just as you tell
her."
To this last observation 1t became
evident that Mrs. huston meant TO
make no reply at all. She gave Rose
some statistical Information about the
twins instead. in which Rose showed
herself politely interested. and present
ly withdrew.
Rodney wore queer expression
all through dinner, and when he got
Rose alone in the library afterward.
he explained II. Mrs. Ruston had
given him notice, contingently. Rose
had informed her of her intention TO
dispense with the service of the nurse
maid. If Rose adhered TO this inten-
ton, Mrs. Ruston must leave.
II was some sort Of absurd misun-
derstanding. Of course, Rodney con-
cluded. and wanted TO know what 1t
was all about.
Il did say l meant TO let Doris CO."
Rose explained. but told her meant
10 take Doris Job myself. I said /
thought could be just as good a
Lursemaid as she was. And l meant
it,"
He was prowling about the room in
a worried sort Of way. before she got
as far as that. Il don't see, child"
he exclaimed. why you couldn't leave
well enough alone! II it's that old
economy bug Of yours again, it's non
sense. You, 10 spend all your time
doing menial work to save me ten
dollars a week."
1T isn't mental work" Rose insist
ed. "lt's apprentice work. After I've
been at II six months, learning as fast
as / can, I'll be able 10 let Mrs. Ruston
so end take her job-Tll be really
competent to take care Of my own
children. don't pretend l am now"
He stared at her in perfectly honest
bewilderment. you're talking rather
Wild think, Rose" he said very quiet
,y.
I'm talking what I've learned from
you" she said. "Oh. Rodney. please
try TO forget that I'm your wife and
that you're in love with me. Can't
you just say: Here's A, or Il. or Y, a
perfectly healthy woman, twenty-five
years Old. and little real work would
be good for herr"
She won. with much pleading, q sort |
Of troubled halt-aSsent from him. The |
matter could be taken up again with !
Mrs. huston.
Given q fair field. Rose might have |
won a victory here. But, US POrtia |
llad said once, the pattern was cut diff |
one night, when her little namesake |
was found strangling with the Group. |
There were seven terrifying hours-al-
most unendurable hours, while the /
young life swung and balanced over |
the ultimate abyss. The heroine Of |
those hours was Mrs. Ruston. That /
the child lived was clearly creditable
to her.
Rose made another effort even after
that. though she knew she was beaten
in advance. She waited until the old
calm routine was re-established. Then,
once lore, she asked for her chance.
But Rodney exploded before she got
the words fairly out Of her mouth.
No" he shouted, II won't consider il!
She's saved that baby's life. You'll
have TO find some way OF satisfying
your whIms that won't jeopardize
those babies lives. After that night
good heavens. Rose, have you forgot
ten that pight;-Tm going TO play Ii
safe
Rose paled a little and sat ivory still
IA her chair. There were no miracles
my more. The great dam was swept
away.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Only Remedy.
She was in the grip Of an appalling