The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-04-13

~H air was 4ued VIII Tue Per.
fun1e OF roses and the morning
breeze blew the light curtains 20
md fro and waited the dene1ous hFa-
rance through the open Wln L91D a
fftEIe child was seated upon Ghe noof
-.-S1ng = vtffe kitten under the red
80 petaIs she had pulled from stems
SSSfSered about. Near her lay dou
80 I9ficfa Ttndressed. Beside 1t a MT
- 1,IIe Of dainty clothing lay ready
S<r 9fse vhen her mistress remember
~ what was due to respectaoillty.
watching the group with IstIeEs
{ a1es was 4 woman stretched WIN an
fnTaHd's fnertness upon a coucn' LIZ
foNInr. 10 the child's low talE' she
taught the sound OF 9ulcK s5 3aS upo ~
&c yefanda and a faint cream OF
color rose to her face to disappear be
eere 2. man stepped through the long
S5Iodoyy into the ROOM q man aiert IN
F5oyement whose keen eyes sotteneo
-. marvellous Gentleness as ne LOOK
VIII an almost impeTceptible mo-
E5on the gfrI pressed more deeply INTO
the pillows supporting her. Inc slleLl|
snoYernent vas not lost upon IHe NJ, ~.
no laid his hand upon the cniid
go isrrF.Inrs as he tunred her face
Is meet his gaze.
sa7P4ld0t q aGSlSSeS Ca4C4S0S
7sntI3 - leave your child in this con-
]si fsS, g she me- vii take cold"
sTm aw'dy anxious, Doctor Haz'
4nd I'm glad you have come" she an
T,v,ersd gravely. 'H1'm AFRAID colum-
bin has hurt herself and Will have to
have an op'ratiop.
with gravity equallIng her OWL
the physician took the doII ana ana! TG 2a.S-
cd 1t stiff and broken joints until legs
md arms moved easily. He was glad
Of the respite. for the slisnt VIII .I.
drawing OF the woman upon tne
couch had hurt him to the quick. Not
until the doll was in perfect order did
da turn and take the slender hand IN
his strong, warm clasp. With probes
sional oSicknes she noted the irregu-
lar pulse and heavy eyes
esYou did not sleep last night" he
no. she answered. quietly, meet
ing his eyes.
stood for long looking with unseeins
eyes in to the oId-fashioned garden:
searching as he daily searched his
mind for some means OF combating
the Will Of the woman he desired
above all things TO make his wife, and
Is always he turned toward her feel-
ing the utter futiIity OF any effort he
you gain no strength" he said at
last, the misery IN his heart telling in
the sudden strain OF his voice. For
the moment the usually self-contatn-
ed physician was not himself. And
words he felt should not be spoken at
the present time were forced from his
lips by his intoIerable anxiety.
eff thought my leaving you. Mar
garet, would be your gain. would go
within the hour. But you need me.
You need my strength, my under
standing. This that you allow to
stand between US is a false conception
bf your physical condition. You have
thought about yourself until you have
Aeeone obcessed by the idea that you
ire helpless invalid"
own I ever be strong, Maxi"
strength would come with happi-
less. It is happiness you are fighting
With al that is in you under the mis-
Iaken Impression that you would
make Of my life a failure by coming
10 me. whereas I need you more than
can say. I need peace OF mind. That
cannot have when I see you putting
from you the love God has implanted
IN your heart; that you have told me
you feel for me-
dear. Each day I see it. It IS the
CONSTANT effotr to keep the barrier
Between US that tells so upon you.
know hits as your physician. know
Il because OF my love for YOU Why
are you so unwiili-g to allow me to
Sc the Judge OF what is best for me?
That is what you are doing. Decid-
Ing for me. Dear. no man who is
man IS going to accept without pro-
test such a decision If you care moth
ing for me there is nothing more to
be said. an man enough, hope.
TO take my medicine without whirl-
perinS. But you have told me that
you do care; that you will not give
yourself to me because you will be a
drag upon my life"
There was a moment Of silence.
then she put her slender fingers about
hiG and rested her cheek against his
hand. Max. would that be at peace
III did as you wish >" she asked gen
fIy as she placed his hand over her
iaborinS heart. Would happiness
slant regret? You say I am obcessed
by the fear that I would spoil your
life. I am. What help could be TO
man climbing, as you are climbing
each day. higher in your profession?
would be proud OF you, yet could
do nothing but sit and wait and lis
ten. And when you not with me there
would always be regret. Try as
would could not hide IT. Your love
would find it out and you would be as
miserable as l.
You talk nonsense he returned
roughly. ct am thinking Of you as
wen as myself It's your life as we'll
as mine I am begging for. Hearts can
be starved as well as bodies. only
SOM take longer to die than others.
IA strong man. Margaret, while