The Dolores star., 1917-06-01
CHAPTER xvi-continusd.

CHAPTER xvi-continusd.
-13-
.sThat would be foolish. wouldn't 1t,
when you have done SO weil9 And,
besides, since you are not guilty. Sid
ney-"
II didn't do itr she cried passion
ately. "But / can't keep on; that's
all there Is to It, keep saying to my
self: You didn't do 1t, you didn't do
it, and all the time something inside
OF me 10 saying. Not now. perhaps;
but sometime you may" She looked
up at him forlornly. II am just not
brave enough, X"
'Wouldn't 1t be braver to keep ONT
Aren't you giving up very easily?"
Her world was In pieces about her,
and she felt alone In wide and empty
place And. because her nerves were
drawn taut until they were ready to
snap, Sidney turned on him shrew-
ishly.
II think you are all afraid I will
come back to stay. Nobody really
wants me anywhere-in all the world
Not ut the hospital, not here. not amy
place. ] am no use."
'Whsn you say that nobody wants
you." said f., not very steadily. "I-I
thing you are making q mistake"
She scanned his face closely. and,
reading there something she did not
understand. she colored suddenly.
II believe you mean Joe Drum
mond."
'.No; do not mean Joe Druinmond."
II he had found any encouragement
In her face. he would have gone on
recklessly; 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"
.He'll think me careless, at the
least And his ideals are 30 high, K"
.You say he likes to be with you.
What about Jour-
Sidney had been sitting In q low
chair BY the fire. She rose with sud
den passionate movement. In the in
formality Of the household, she had
visited X. In her dressing gown and
slippers; and now she stood before
him. tragic young figure. clutching
the folds Of her gown across her
breast.
II worship him. K.." she said tragi-
cally. "When see him coming, I
want to get down and let him walk
on me. When see him in the oper-
ating room, cool and calm while ev-
eryone else is fiustered and excited. he
--he looks like god"
Then, half ashamed OF her outburst,
she turned her back to him and stood
gazing at the small coal fire. It was
as well for K. that she did not see his
face.
aIt's real, all this?" he asked after
a pause. You're sure it's not just
glamour. Sldney?"
"1t's real-terribly real" Her voice
was muffied, and he knew then that
she was crying.
She was nightly ashamed Of 1t.
Tears, Of course, except in the privacy
of ones closet, were not ethical on the
street.
SlhupS uC Sht Co tCAy HuSAp wv
aGive me handkerchief" said Sid
ney In muffied tone. and. the little
scene was broken into while X.
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,
AZ course. was off duty from four
to six. When Carlotta left the ward,
the probationer would have them"
Have you reason to think that Ell
ther one OF these girls would wish
you harmT
None whatever" began Sidney We
hemently; and then, checking herself.
s'unless- but that's rather ridiculous"
AWhat is ridiculous?''
"I've sometimes thought that Car
lotta but am sure she is perfectly
fair with me. Why, K, she wouldn't! /!
It wouM be murder"
Murder, Of course" said K, Sin in
tendon anyhow. OF course she didn't
Do It. I'm only trying to find out whose
unistake Il was."
Soon after that she aaid goodnight
and wenk out. 6he turned in the door.