Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-22

She had to be content with that
Nothing about that night was real to
Sidney. She sat in the anesthetizing
room, and after a time she knew that
she WAS not alone. There was some
body else. She realized duly that Car
lotta was there too. pacing up and
Co,.n tu1 little room. She was never
SUE fr i...,....s.. 5. hg.A@r Size mag
ind il, ." vha3 Carlotta really
s,urpcd before her and surveyed her
W. Lg-...-..- c-.
so y"H thought he was going to
merry yo"." said Carlotta-or the
dream. wei, you see he isn't"
Sidney t'ied ia answer, and failed
or that was the way the dream went.
IF YOU had enough character, I'd
think you did it. How do l know you
didn't follow US, and shoot him as
he left the room?"
1t must have been reality after all;
for Sidney's numbed mind grasped the
essential fact here, and held on to it.
He had been out with Carlotta. He
had prOmiSed-SWOrn that this should
prised her. 1t seemed as if nothing
more could hurt her.
In the movement to and from the
operating room, the door stood open
for a moment. a tail fgure-how
much it looked like K !-straightened
and held out something in its hand.
''The bullet" said Carlotta in
whisper
Then more waiting, a stir Of move
ment in the room beyond the closed
door. Carlotta was standing, her face
buried in her hands, against the door.
Sidney suddenly felt sorry for her
She cared a great deal 1t must be
tragic to care like that! She herself
was not caring much; she was 100
numb.
The city still slept, but the torturing
night was over. And in the gray dawn
the staff, looking gray, too, and elderly
and weary, came out through the
closed door and took their hushed way
toward the elevator They were talk
ing among themselves. Sidney, strain
ing her ears, gathered that they had
seen miracle, and that the wonder
was still on them.
Carlotta followed them out.
Almost on their heels came K. He
was III the white coat, and more and
more he looked like the man who had
raised up from his work and held out
something in his hand. Sidney's head
was aching and confused. The tall
manor was it K.?-lOoked at her,
and then reached up and turned off
the electric light. When the light was
out everything was gray. She could
not see. She slid very quietly out of
her chair, and lay at his feet in q
dead faint.
*. carried her to the elevator. He
held her as he had held her that day
at the park when she fell in the river
very carefully, tenderly, as one holds
something infinitely precious. Not I'M
til he had placed her on her bed did
she open her eyes. But she was con-
scious before that. She was so tired
and to be carried like that. in strong
arms, not knowing where one was 60
ing, or caring
The nurse he had summoned hustled
out for aromatic ammonia. Sidney,
lying among her pillows, looked up
at X.
How is he?"
"a little better. There's a chance,
dear"
Il have been so mixed up All the
time l was sitting waiting, l kept
thinking it was you who were operat
ing VIII he really get weU?"
1T looks promising"
Il should like to thank Doctor Ed
wardes."
The nurse was a long time getting
the ammonia. But something had hap
pened to X. that savored of the mar
NelouS. His faith in himself was COM
ing back-not strongly, with a rush,
but with all humility. He had been
loath to take up the burden; but, now
that he had it, he breathed a sort of
inarticuIate prayer to be able to
carry it.
Sidney held out her hand to him.
what should do without you, K. ?"
she asked wistfully.
All you have to do is to want me-"
His voice was not too steady, and
he took her pulse in a most business
like way TO distract her attention from
it. But, as he rose from the chair be-
side her low bed, she put cut her hand
to him.
'k."
"YeS, dear"
He was out with Carlotta. He
promised, and he broke his promise .
There may have been reasons. Sup
pose we wait until he can explain"
How can he explain?" And. when
he hesitated: q bring all my troubles
to YOU. as if you had none Somehow,
| can't 90 to Aunt Harriet, and of
course Eother-Carl0tta cares a great
deal for him. She said that / shot
him Does anyone really think that?'
"Of course not. Please stop think
ing"
She stirred restIessly.
What time is it,"
''Kalf-past six"
q must get up and so on duty"
lie was glad to be stern with her.
He forbade her rising. When the
nurse came in with the belated ammo
MIA, She found X. making an arbitrary
ruling, ana Sidney looking up at him
mutiuouSiy,
GNTiSC Daro &c 0o+ n 90 an 1IlFy To-