The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-05-18

bite off the end of stogie to hold in
his cheek, picked up his book in q
hurry, and eyed the invalid over 1t.
"Stop bullying. I'll read when I'm
ready. Have you any idea what I'm
reading?"
"Of course"
swell, haven't. For ten minutes I've
been reading across both pages!"
Max laughed, and suddenly put out
his hand. Demonstrations of affection
were so rare with him that for mo-
ment Doctor Ed was puzzled. Then,
rather sheepishly, he took it.
"When 1 get out" Max said, well
have to go out to the White Springs
again and have supper"
That was all but Ed understood.
On the day when X. had told Max his
reason for giving up his work, Sidney
spent her hour with Max that evening
as usual. His big chair had been
drawn close to a window, and she
found him there, looking out. She
kissed him. But instead of letting her
draw away, he put out his arms and
caught her to him.
"Smile at me- You don't smile any
more. You ought to smile; your
mouth"
81 am almost always tired; that's all,
Max"
She eyed him bravely.
aren't you going to let me make
love to you at all? You get away be-
yond my reach
81 was looking for the paper to read
to you"
A sudden suspicion famed in his
eyes.
sidney, you don't like me to touch
you any more. Come here where l can
see you"
The fear of agitating him brought
her quickly. For a moment he was ap-
peased.
That's more like it. How lovely you
are, Sidney" He lifted first one hand
and then the other TO his lips. Are
you ever going to forgive meT
eff you mean about Carlotta, for
gave that long ago."
He was almost boyishly relieved.
What q wonder she was! So lovely,
and so sane. Many a woman would
have held that over him for years-not
that he had done anything really wrong
on that nightmare excursion. But so
many women are exigent about prom
Uses.
"When are you going to marry meF
1--WE needn't discuss that tonight,
Max. Can't we talk things over when
you are stronger"
Her tone caught his attention, and
turned him a little white. He faced
her to the window, so that the light fell
on her.
"What things? What do you mean?'
He had forced her hand. She had
meant to wait; but, with his keen eyes
on her, she could not Ensemble.
81 am going to make you very I'M
happy for little while"
"Well?"
"Ive had a lot of time to think. 1t
isn't that 1 am angry. l am not even
jealous. 1 was at first. 1t isn't that.
II " hitihO SOA o-AN>N1N~'
think you care for me"
"But, good heavens, Sidney, you do
care for me, don't your
"Pm afraid I don't, Max; not
enough"
She tried to explain, rather pitifully.
After one look at his face, she spoke
TO the window.
SIN so wretched about it. / thought
| cared. To me you were the best and
greatest man that ever lived. when
[ said my prayers. + But that doesn't |
matter. You were a sort of god to |
me-"
He groaned under his breath.
''No man could live up to that, Sid |
ney."
mo. I see that now. But that's the
way 1 cared. It's just that l never
loved the real you, because I never
knew you"
When he remained silent, she made
IN attempt to justify herself.
"Td known very few men," she said.
I came into the hospital, and for
line life seemed very terrible. There
we're Weaknesses l had never heard
If, and somebody always paying for
hem. 1 was always asking, Why?
Why? Then you would come in, and a
OF Of them you cured and sent out.
You gave them their chance, don't you
Zee? Until knew about Carlotta, you
Ilways meant that to me. You were
ike Railways helping"
The room was very silent. In the
Iurses' parlor, few feet down the cor
idor, the nurses were at prayers.
'Yea, though walk through the val
ey of the shadow of DEATH"
The man in the chair stirred. He
ad come through the valley of the
hadow, and for what? He was very
litter. He said to himself savagely
hat they would better have let him
lie.
"You say you never loved me because
on never knew NE. I'm not rotteI,
idney. Isn't it possible that the man
on cared about, who-who did his l
est by people ard all that's the real .
ie? {
She gazed at him thoughtfully. he
,iSSpd Somothinp our of her ewes the r