Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-15

What can do about IT."
Astute as he was, he did not suspect
that Christine was using this method
to fathom his feeling for Sidney. Per
haps she hardly knew 1t herself
You might marry her yourself, k
But he had himself in hand by this
time, and she learned nothing from eli
Their his voice or his eyes.
.On twenty dollars a week? And
without so much as asking her con
sent?" He dropped his light tone. TIN
not in position to marry anybody
Even If Sidney cared for me, which
she doesn't. of course"
Then you don't intend to Interfere:
You're going to let the Street see an.
other failure?''
L think you can understand" said
*. rather YEARLY. that If I cared less
Christine. 1t would be easier to inter.
fere."
After all, Christine had known this
or Surmised 1t. for weeks. But it hurt
like fresh stab in an old wound. II
was K. who spoke again after pause
THE deadly hard thing. of course. is
to sit by and see things happening that
one-that one would naturally try to
prevent"
II don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand and
wait" said Christine Sometime, X.
when you know me better and like me
better, I want you to tell me about it
will your
There's very little to tell. l held
trust. When / discovered that
was unfit to hold that trust any longer
l quit. That's ALL"
His tone of finality closed the discus.
sion. But Christine's eyes were or
him often that evening, puzzled, rather
sad.
They talked Of books, of music
Christine played well in a dashing way
K. had brought her soft, tender little
things, and had stood over her until
her noisy touch became gentle She
played for him little, while he sat
back in the big chair with his hand
screening his eyes.
When, at last, he rose and picked
up his cap, it was nine O'Clock.
Give taken your whole evening"" he
said remOrSefully. "Why don't you
tell me | am a nuisance and send me
off?'
Christine was still at the piano, her
hands on the keys. She spoke with
out looking at him:
you're never nuisance, K, and
Something in her tone caught his at.
tentiOn.
81 forgot to tell you" she went on
Father has given Palmer FIVE thou
sand dollars. He's going to buy d
share in a business"
That's fine"
Possibly. l don't believe much in
Palmer's business ventures"
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath it he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
Il hate to go and leave you alone, ~
he said at last from the door. Have
you any idea when Palmer will be
back?"
'Not the slightest. K, will you come
here a moment? Stand behind me; ]
don't want to see you, and / want to
tell you something"
He did as she babe him, rather puz.
zled.
Here I am"
81 think l am fool for saying this
porbGpc 7 am cpOiIipU tho op1u chance
have to get any happiness out of life
But | was terribly unhappy, X, and
then you came into my life, and /
now l listen for your step in the hall
| can't be hypocrite any longer, X
When he stood behind her. silent and
and faced him. He lowered there In
the little room, grave eyes on hers.
Its a long time since / have had a
woman friend, Christine" he said So
5erly. Your friendship has meant q
Of her hand one day after the rush Of
surgical dressings was over and which
said: ''R, Take once and forever"
There was another piece Of paper
over which Sidney spent much time
II was a page torn out Of an order
book, and It read: ''Sigsbee MAJ
have light diet: Rosenfeld massage.
Underneath was written, very small
You are the most beautiful person il
the world
Two reasons had prompted Wilson
to request to have Sidney in the oper
ating room. He wanted her with him
and he wanted her to see him at work
the age-old instinct of the male TO have
his woman see him at his best.
The deepening and broadening o.
Sidney's character had been very no
ticeable in the last few months. She
had gained in decision without becom
ing hard had learned to see things a.
they are, not through the rose mist OF
early girlhood; and, far from being
daunted, had developed a philosophy
that had for it's basis God in his HEAVIER
and all we'll with the world.
But her new theory Of acceptance
did not comprehend everything, She
was in a state Of wild revolt, for in
stance, as to Johnny Rosenfeld, anC
more remotely but not less deeply con
cerned over Grace Irving. Soon she
was to. learn of Titles predicament
and to take up the cudgels valiantly
for her
But her revolt was to be for herself
too. On the day after her appointment
L.,