Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-31
CHAPTER XII.
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from rheir wedding trip Anna Page
msqe 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 a
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 some speech Of
Christine's that struck her as hard. not
quite fitting. she gave her gentle adj
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
fngT"
Men are more set" said poor Anna.
who had never been set in anything
A. - zee. ssyf 4, barsEor FOR than, IN
give in. And, Of course, Palmer is
older, and his habits"
HThe less said about Palmer's hab-
its The better" flashed Christine. Il
appear to have married bunch Of
habits"
She gave over her unpacki1g. and
SAT down listlessly by the tire. while
Anna moved about. busy with the small
activities that delighted her.
Christine was not without courage.
She was making a 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 "a nsformed sewing room.
and gave her a quick glance of appre-
hension. She was propped up high
with pillows, with a bottle Of Aromatic
ammonia beside her.
"Just-short of breath" she painted.
I'll must get down SIdney-is com
ing hone-to supper; and-the 9TH
ers-Palmer aud"
That was as far as she got K,
watch in hand. found her pulse thin.
striney. irregu ar lie had been pre-
pared for sol such emergency. aud
he hurried intn 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 q towel, and held it over her
face. After time the spasm relaxed.
but her condition remained alarming.
Harriet, " ho 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 be had Not
come vet Harriet was too wretched
to notice the professional manner in
which Is set 70 work over Anna.
i've been a very hard sister To- her"
she said. If you can pun her through,
III try 10 make up for H."
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 OF.
At six o'clock Doctor Ed came paat-
ing W. the stairs and into the room
h stood hack
"Well, this is sad, Harriet" said Doc
tor Ed. why In the name Of heaven,
when | wasn't around, didn't you get
another doctor. II she had had some
arlyl nitrate"
Il gave her som" nitrate of amyl. e"
said X. quietl~ There was really no
time TO send Tor anybody. She almost
weat under ut Ralf-past live"
Max had kept his word, and even
Doctor Ed did not suspect ks secret.
lie gave a 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 a 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 il 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 X, standing watChfully
beside her.
Il think you have known this for
u long time" she said. And. when he
did not answer; why did you LET me
stay away from her? Ii would have
been SUCH a little time"
"We were trying to do our best fo7
both of you" he replied.
Anna was unconscious and sinking