The circle banner., 1917-01-19

4 ney went around the table and flung 9
young arm over her aunt's shoulders.
"Why didn't you say all that year
ago? We've been selfish, but we're
not as bad as you think. And if any
one in this world is entitled to success,
you are. OF course Wen manage"
Harriet's iron repression almost gave
way. She covered her emotion with
details: =
''Mrs. Lorenz is going to let me
make Christine some things, and if
they're all right, may make her trous-
seau."
'1Trousseau-for Christiner"
"She's not engaged, but her mother
says it's only matter of short time.
I'm going to take two rooms in the
business part of town, and put couch
in the back room to sleep on"
Sidney's mind flew to Christine and
her bright future, to a trousseau
bought with the Lorenz money, to
Christine settled down, married wom-
an, with Palmer Howe. She came back
with an effort. Harriet had two trian-
gular red spots in her sallow cheeks.
II can get few good models-that's
the only way to start. And if you care
to do handwork for me, Anna, I'll send
it to you, and pay you the regular
rates. There isn't the call for it there
used to be, but just a touch gives
DASH"
All Of Mrs. Pages grievances had
worked their way to the surface. Sid
ney and Harriet had made her world,
such as it was, and her world was in
revolt. She flung out her hands.
II suppose I must do something.
With you leaving, and Sidney renting
her room and sleeping on a folding
bed In the sewing room, everything
seems upside down. never thought
I should live to see strange men running
in and out of this house and carry
ing latchkeys." This reference to LIE
Moyne, whose tall figure had made a
hurried exit some time before.
Harriet's eyes were brighter already
as she went out. Sidney, kissing her
In the hall and wishing her luck, real
lied suddenly what a burden she and
her mother must have been for the last
few years. She threw her head up
proudly. They would never be bur-
den again-never, as long as she had
strength and health!
By evening Mrs. Page had worked
herself into a state bordering on hys-
terra. Harriet was out most Of the day. |
She came in at three o'clock, and Ka-
tie gave her cup of tea. At the news |
Of her sisters condition, she merely |
shrugged her shoulders.
She'll not die, Katie" she said |
calmly. "But see that Miss Sidney
eats something, and If she is worried
tell her I said to get Doctor Ed"
Very significant of Harriet's altered
outlook was this casual summoning of
he Streets family doctor. She was
already dealing in larger figures. The
'ecklessness of pure adventure was in
ler blood. She had taken rooms at
'ental that she determinedly put out
If her mind, and she was on her way
o buy furniture. No pirate, fitting out
| ship for the highways of the sea,
,ver experienced more guilty and de-
ightful excitement.
The afternoon dragged away. Doc
or Ed was "out on a case" and might
lot be in until evening. Sidney sat in the
larkened room and waved fan over
Ter mothers rigid form. At half past
i've Johnny Rosenfeld, from the alley,
Vho worked for florist after school,
rought a box OF roses, and departed ,
rinning impishly. He knew Joe, had
new that Sidney, had received dozen
roses at three dollars and a
alf, and was probably engaged to Joe
)rummond.
4
"Doctor 3D." said Sidney, as he fol-
,wed her down the stairs, "can you
pare the time to talk to me little
yhile?' 4
Perhaps the elder Wilson had a
uick vision OF the crowded office
,aiting across the Street; but his re-
ly was prompt:
"Any amount of time"
Sidney led the way into the small
arlor, where Joe's roses, refused by
le petulant invalid upstairs, bloomed
lone.
"First Of ALL" said Sidney, "did you
lean what you said upstairs?"
Doctor Ed thought quickly.
"Of course; but whatY
"You said / was born nurse"
The Street was very fond Of Doctor 9
d. It did not always approve OF
i'm. It said-which was perfectly e
ue-that he had sacrificed himself to
IS brothers career-that for the sake q
that brilliant young surgeon, Doc 5
,r Ed had done without wife and
lildren; that to send him abroad he
i'd saved and skimped; that he still 4
ent shabby and drove the old buggy p
hile Max drove about In an automo-
lie coupe. Sidney, not at all of the Y
ufr martyrs are made of, sat in the ?
.ented parlor, ard, remembering all ,
lis, was ashamed of her rebellion. y
I'm going into hospital" sSid Sid v
". =
Doctor Ed waited. He liked to have
| the symptoms before he made q g
agnosis or ventured an opinion. So
~ 4. - ~R~~I a SuSn{ {k<aI /