Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1917-01-13

side Olives manner toward him was
distanty frigid for the rest of the
day.
One afternoon Minna came 10 the
hospital for her twice-a-week call
Olive Hale was in the room when the
visitor entered, but she at once rose
with a stif nod and went out.
Tom noticed the nurses odd man
ner and wondered at it. Minna did
not observe il at all, being too full
! Of thoughts of her own. The instant
Olive had left the room Minna voiced
these thoughts:
I've news for you, Mr. Olcott," she
began. 81 hope you'll take 1t as good
news, though I'm afraid it'll put you
| out in more ways than one"
what Is it| lazily asked Tom,
amused by her formal preamble.
Henry wilkins asked me last eve
| ming to marry him"
Henry Wilkins?" echoed Tom in
| displeased surprise. THAT ugly-tem-
pered, human bank account?"
|
begged Minna.
why nOt?' protested Tom. Its
| the truth. l took him on as pupil
| because his money was as good as
anyones. But 1 got rid of him as
soon as he made himself Objectionable
| by trying 10 fiirt with you. You re-
! member the row he raised when ]
wouldn't let him come to the school
any mOrep He hates me like poison.
Why shouldn't l call him names"
Because" explained Minna, I've
promised to marry him"
"NO!" cried Tom, dumbfounded.
81 have" she repeated. And | am
as much in love with him as l could
be with anyone. He is well-off. And
he adores me. 1 won't have to worry
any longer about earning a living,
and"
"And you'll earn a living in the
hardest way ever devised" he retort-
ed. IF you earn it by a loveless mar
riage."
Don't let's say anything more about
il. please" urged Minna. 1T orly
makes me unhappy. And I've given
Henry my promise. I'm sorry to leave
you without an assistant. Henry
wants to marry me at once. But I've
persuaded him TO wait until you get
back TO the school. III keep the
classes going till then"
"By that time" replied Tom, 81 may
have some news of my own for you.
heels-Over-head in love, Minna.
haven't had the nerve, yet, to tell her
so. But"
"Oh, I'm so glad, Mr.. Olcott !" broke
in NIinna, clasping his uninjured hand
in both of hers and smiling down at
him In eager sympathy. I'm so glad
Who-?"
The opening of the door caused
them both to turn. But not soon
enough. On the threshold stood Olive
Hale, a clinical thermometer in her
hand.
Utterly misleading the meaning of
their attitude, Olive turned sharply
on her heel and left the room, shutting
the door behind her.
Presently another nurse came in
with the thermometer. Nor did Olive
appear in Toms room again that day.
The new nurse CURLY informed him
that Miss Hale had been transferred,
at her own request, to one Of the pub
lie wards of the hospital.
Tom, when the second nurse had de-
parted, broke out in dismay:
What in blazes can be the matter
with Miss Hale, Minna? You saw how
she looked at us. And then to ask to
be transferred to a ward! Why, she
told me, herself, that the nurses in
charge of the private rooms had
much easier time. In the wards they
have to take care Of a lot of rough
necks and"
"Is-is she the girl you're in love
with, Mr.. Olcott" asked Minna. you
looked at her as II she were an angel
of light"
"She Isl" declared Tom. "She's all
that and then some. But she seemed,
just now, to be offended at me. Why,
do you supposeT"
Perhaps" ventured Minna, per
haps she didn't like my holding your
hand"
"Nonsensew laughed Tom. "Why,
I've told her all about you dozen
times. Besides, she knows you don't
care a snap for me, except as good
old chum. Olive is too perfect to let
herself be jealous. But-but l almost
wish she were. 1t would show she
cared. What am l to do, Minna, to
square myself?"
"Let me think" unused Minna; then,
"why not send her some flowers? A
dozen American beauties, for in
stanceT
"Fine!" applauded Tom. Fine and
dandy! I've never yet given her a
present. I've never been where i
could buy one. Get the roses for her,
won't you, on the way home"
Minna Blair departed, promising TO
attend to the commission at once.
Half an hour later an enormous sheaf
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