The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-09

meant so much to her, this trip to New
York, under Caroline's wing. And she
knew how Kenneth would feel, too, laiu
low right on the eve of her arrival
Caroline did not know all there had
been between them. Nothing definite,
of course. but she knew-ah, did she
not know! She clenched her hands
tightly, as Caroline emerged from the
booth.
"oh, yes. got him. He's coming up
at once. He says you can't be too
prompt in these cases. Let's go up,
now. don't know, Evelyn, but what
Ill ask you to go with me, I'm SO un.
strung and upset by this. Ken wouldn't
mind, and he's probably out Of his
head anyway"
So 1t happened that without being
announced, save up soft tap on the
door. Fleming's guests appeared sud-
denly before him. He surely looked
wild eyed and stunned. Mrs. Hardy
hurried to him tenderly and knelt be-
side him.
Dear. dear old chap" she cried
Don't worry one bit. It's so fortunate
we came in time. Are you very ill.,"
Fleming remembered his role, and
said he was. 1t was an attack of indi-
gestion, he thought. combined with a
heavy cold. He tried to avoid Evelyn's
appealing eyes. She had never looked
lovelier than now, in her brown broad.
cloth travelling gown, with a wide
brimmed hat, and big bunch of vio-
lets at her belt. II he had had any
doubt before, it was swept away by
the message her eyes sent to him.
do you know us, Ken, dear?' Caro-.
line begged anXiously, smoothing back
his hair You mustn't worry one bit.
shall stay right with you, and DR..
Hazelhurst is coming at once. You
know all he did for Uncle Charles.
You're going to be taken care of. Why
don't you go to bed? There's draught
here from that transom."
She stepped into the inner bedroom
to investigate, and Fleming sat up,
alert and calm, very calm.
Evelyn" he said in low tone.
you'll understand. I'm not i'll. I've
sent my only suit out to be pressed.
Can't you steer this beastly specialist
away from me? Evelyn, I'll do any
|
Don't let her put me to bed"
Eyes, it's much better in there" Car.
oline said, with sigh of relief" COM
ing out Of the bedroom and removing
her coat and gloves. The telephone
bell rang, and Fleming groaned as
he pulled the blankets up around him.
But Evelyn stepped to the wall and
took the receiver down.
"Hello?" she called. "Yes? oh. send
him right up, please. Thank you so
much And-and when the doctor
comes tell him Mrs. Hardy will see
him downstairs"
She turned with a twinkle in her
eyes, tlemure little smile on her lips.
cts Tucker, the bellboy," she said.
"He has parcel for you Ken. Shall
we wait for you downstairs? I'm aw-
fully hungry. We just had light din
ner before leaving and thought you'd
60 out to supper with us later here
at the hotel, or whatever you wanted
to take u.s."
"In ten minutes" Fleming told her,
exhuberantly.
1t took the full ten minutes to make
adequate explanations to Caroline,
likewice to the keen.eyed old doctor
| when he arrived, but when he was in
vited to join the supper party, even
Caroline thawed And later, when
Fleming found his opportunity, it was
an odd proposal of marriage he made.
"For, dear heart, it isn't just be
cause you're the one girl in the world
whom l miss; it isn't that you're the
dearest, loveliest mate man could
hope to win, it's because you under
stand fello wand have got sense
of humor. You managed the whole