Middletown transcript., 1917-02-10
CHAPTER xvi-Continued.

-1S-
"That would be foolish, wouldn't 1t.
when you have done so we'll? And.
besides, since you are not guilty, Sid
ney--"
Il didn't do it'll" she cried passion
ately. "But l can't keep on; that's
all there is to it, l 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. Il am just not
brave enough. X"
"WOuldn't 1t be braver to keep on?
Aren't you giving up very easily?"
Her world was in pieces about her,
and she felt alone in a wide and empty
place. And, because her nerves were
drawn taut until they were ready to
snap, Sidney turned on him shrew-
ishly.
81 think you are all afraid will
come back to stay. Nobody really
wants me anywhere-in all the world
Not ut the hospital, not here, not any
place. | am no USE"
"When you say that nobody wants
you," said X, not very steadily. 81
think you are making mistake"
She scanned his face closely, and.
reading there something she did not
understand, she colored suddenly.
81 believe you mean Joe Drum
mond."
mo; do not mean Joe Drummond."
If he had found any encouragement
in her face, he would have gone on
recklessIy; 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"
Hell 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
forlnality of the household. she had
visited X. In her dressing gown and
him. a tragic young figure, clutching
the folds Of her gown across her
breast.
II worship him, X" she said tragi
cally. "lNhen l see him coming.
want to get down and let him walk
on me. When l see him in the oper-
ating room, cool and calm while ev
eryone else is flustered and excited, he
he looks like a gOd.'
Then, half ashamed Of her outburst,
she turned her back to him and stood
gazing ut the small coal fire. 1t was
as well for X. that she did not see his
face.
Its real, all this?" he asked after
a pause. you're sure it's not just
glamour, Sidney?"
Its real-terribly real" Her voice
was muflled, and he knew then that
she was crying.
She was miglxily ashamed Of it.
Tears, of course, except in the privacy
of ones closet, were not ethical on the
street.
perhaps he cares very much, too"
"Give me q handkerchief" said Sid
ney in q muffled tone, and the little
scene was broken into while K.
searched through bureau drawer.
Then X. questioned her. alternately
soothing and probing.
"WhO else had access to the medi-
cine closet?"
"Carlotta Harrison carried the keys.
of course. l was off duty from four
to six. When CarlOtta left the ward,
the probationer would have them"
"Eave you reason to think that Ell
thcr one of these girls would wish
you harm?"
"None whatever" began Sidney We
hemently; and then, checking herself.
"unless-but that's rather ridiculous"
"What is ridiculous?"
"Ive sometimes thought that Car
iotta-but l am sure she Is perfectly
fair with me. Why, X, she wouldn't!
1t would be murder
Murder, of course" said X, 'in in
tenton, anyhow. OF course she didn't
do 1t. I'm only trying to find out whose
mistake it was"
Soon after that she said goodnight
ana went out. She turned In the door.
way and smiled tremulousIy back at
him.
You have done me a lot Of good.
You almost make me believe in my
SELF"
That's because I believe in YOU"
With a quick movement that was
one OF her charms. Sidney suddenly
closed the door and slipped back into
the room. f., hearing the door close,
thought she had gone, and dropped
heavily into a chair.
MY best friend in all the world I"
said Sidney suddenly from behind him,
and, bending over, she kissed him on
the check.