Iron County register., 1917-03-15
CHAPTER xvI-continued.

"Tlat would be foolish. wouldn't It,
when you have done so well? And,
Besides, since sou are not guilty, Sid
ney---"
II didn't do it ]" she cried passion
;nte!y. 'But | can't keep on: that's
all there is 10 1t, keep saying 10 my
self. 'You didn't do it, you didn't do
Of me is saying, Not now. perhaps;
but sometime you may" She looked
sip ut him forlornly. u am just not
brave enough, X"
"Wouldn't 1t be braver to keep on?
Aren't you giving up very chsily:'
Her world was in pieces about her,
and site felt alone in wide ana empty
place. And. because her nerves were
drawn taut until they We're ready to
snap, Sidney turned on him shreW-
ashly.
Il think you are ull afraid will
GONE back to stay Nobody really
wants me anyWhcre--in all the world!
Not tit the hospital, not here, not any
place. l am no use"
when you say that nobody wants
.ynn,' said H., not very steadily. I'll
think YOU are making mistake"
She scanned his face closely. and.
reading there something she did not
understand, she colored suddenly.
4 believe yoU mean Joe Drum
gnnlid.'
Ne; do not mean Joe Drumnond."
IL he had found any encouragement
in her face, lie would have gone on
Tecktessly; but her black eyes warned
aim.
III YOU mean Max Wilson," said
Sidney, you are entirely wrong. He's
not in love with me. Anyhow. after
this Disgrace"
''llicre is no disgrace, child"
"Hc'Il think me- careless. at the
3east. And his ideals nre so high, X"
"You say he likes to be with you.
What about you?"
Sidney had been sitting in low
chair by the fire. She rose with sud
slcu passionate movement. In the in
formnity Of the household, she had
visited X. In her dressing gown and
slippers; and now she stood before
him, tragic young figure, clutchlng
the folds of her gown across her
Drcast.
q worship him, e." she said tragi-
SaIly. "When see him coming,
want to get down and let him walk
on rlc. When see him In the oper.
ating room. cool and calm while ev.
eryonc else is ilustered and excited. he
----lln looks like u god"
Then, half ashamed Of her outburst
she turned her back to him and stood
gazing at the small coal fire. 1t was
;as well for X. that she did not see hi:
,face.
ats real, all this?" he asked aftcl
n pause. "You're sure It's not just
glamour, Sidney?"
ITS rcal--terribly real" Her voic,
was mufllcd, and he knew then thu
she was crying.
She was nightly ashamed Of II
Tears, Of course, except In the privaC.
z ut ones closet, were not ethical on tn
street.
'perhnps he cares very much, too.
"Glve me a handkerchief" said Sid
.ncy In Il inufIled tone, and the llttl
:xcrnc was broken into while X
searched through bureau drawer
Then X. questioned her, alternatel
ssspothins md probing.
. .Who else had access to the med
cine closetl"
..Carlottn Harrison carried the key
-of course. was or duty from fou
10 six. When Carlotta left. the wars
xhe probati0ncr would have them.'
3se .Haye you reason to think that g
xher one Of these girls would wis
sou harIn?"
..Nonc whatever" began Sidney v,
ncmcntiy; and then, checking hersel
~mlcss.--but that's rather ridiculous
sNbat IA rldlculous?''
w, Awe sometimes thought that ca
"a 1Dtta.--bnt mn sure she Is perfect
II Matr With me. why, H., Bhe w0uidn'l
VI ii wonll be murder
"a .Aiurder, OF course" said X, sin II
y1ention anyhow. Of course she didn
\ ~ Il. I'm only trying to find out who,
4 aailTtniie II was." Az IN;
Soon nftcr that, she said goOd.nigl
"A "A and went out. She turned in the doc
,ssy mud smiled treinulsualy back ,
sa Alm. ~. 4 il,
4 y yon have done me 4 lot Of goo
xSa almost make mo believe 10 IN
Is| @ . .filat's bccuusc I believe IL your
HI SE s I'LL WIN II quick movement that v,
s||S S$;sS;s y of her chafuas, Sldney sudden
A A = 4 ma slipned back n
y - dcsse ~
y & y i = = i aal deop1'