The Washington herald., 1917-06-18


Passing the free dispensary with its
benches Of detected patients. Helen
took the elevator to room 1IA Of the
maternity ward.
It was a typical, barren hospital
room. On the white iron bed lay
Laura, her dark eyes aecentuating her
pallor.
do you known auiveringIy. Did
the nurse tell your"
II phoned this morning." faltered
Helen. her gloved clasp closing over
the fragile. blue-veined hand
A pause, permeated by the hospital
stiffness and the clinging odor of anti
septics. Vainly Helen strained for
some comforting words.
She could not OFFER the solace that
It was probably much better the baby
had died. Laura was not yet strong
enough for this brutal consolation
TT was such a little thing" with q
caught sob. ''oh, feel II they'd
tried-if I'd had money-thsy might've
saved it,"
why Laura, you know that
would'Ye made no difference! They
did everything they could"
mo, DON'T know that! In these
big hospitals there're so many babies
that the free ward ones-h they're
not strong Oh. well. they don't
care"
you're morbid. dear. You mustn't
let your mind dwell on that-it isn't
true. Besides, you're not free ward
patient"
mo. but should be! have this
room only because your husband
knows DIR. Coleman"
Here the door opened and the nurse
N with cun Of broth
You took very little at two-you
must take this" authoritatively, as
Laura drew back with a shudder of
aversion.
IF yOun leave IT," suggested Helen.
'In get her to take it"
'T like the night Rurse-but hate this
one." flared Laura. when the nurse,
having willingly relinquished the cup.
hurried out. "Oh. know I'm difficult
1 can't help It! want to get out OF here
to get away from 1t all!
Then the quicker you get your
strength back-the sooner you can go.
So you see, dear" adjusting the glass
tube, you must take your nourishment."
Slowly Laura took a few distasteful
sips.
Tomorrow I'll bring you some chicken
BROTH" comforted Helen, for the greasy
beef broth in the thick. Clipped cup
lOOhSu LnOSI uHdppctl1mB.
Again the door opened, and with cold
indifference the nurse announced:
Mr.. Marsten wishes to know II you're
well enough to see him."
''Ed!' breathed Laura. Then excitedly.
''No-no-I won't see himF'
wait Laura! Are you sure you want
to send him away? Hadn't you better
see him-just for a moment"
why should I?' passionately. "All
fbaaa has Iaff alona-WhV
should he come here now?"
Don't, dear, don't begin that" con-
scious Of the nurses curious interest "If
you don't want to see him-I'n go tell
him." Then to the nurse. Say that Mrs.
Curtis will be out in a few moments"
Sensing an interesting situation, re-
luctantly the nurse withdrew.
What shall ! say to himT' as the
door closed. Surely you'n send him
some message"
NO" ooldly. turning away. I've no
message to send"
With a shrinking dread Of the interview
before her, Helen went down the hall to
the waiting room. Ed Marsten was
standing before the window. gazing out
at the brick-walled courtyard.
Turning quickly as Helen entered, he
demanded with tense directness:
she won't see me?"
I'm afraid not" cropping for a soften
ing excuse. "She-she's still very weak" I"
IT'S not that! Tell me the truth-she
doesn't want to see me?"
Helen was silent. With a throb Of
compassion she saw the lines of pain
about his mouth. She knew his faults
his reckless dissipation. She knew, too.
| that he had failed Laura utterly when
she needed him most Yet she felt that
he still loved her-and that he was suf-
fering now.
I've been in Philadelphia-playing in
a cabaret orchestra" bitterly. Its all
! could get to do. didn't know till last
night that Laura was-here," his voice
broke. II took the first train overland
now she won't even see mel"
Helen was grudgingly conscious OF the
| charm of his personality. the curious
magnetism that had held Laura en-
| thralled.
But through all these months that she
needed you"
II wrote-and she returned my letters, -
prodding the rug with his cane. Then