The Benson signal., 1918-01-19


Harriet! At the end of the fort
night, the doctor made his final visit.
Rose had especially asked Rodney to
be on hand 10 hear his report when
the examination was over.
'He says" Rose told her husband,
"that I'm perfectly WELL" She turned
to the doctor for confirmation. 'Don't
your"
The doctor smiled. GAS far as my
diagnostic resources go, Mrs. Aldrich,
you are perfectly WELL"
Rose smiled widely and contentedly
upon them. "That's delightful" she
said to the doctor. "Thanks very
much"
But after he had gone she found
Mrs. Ruston in the nursery and had
talk with that lady, which was des-
tined to produce seismic upheavals.
"I've decided to make a little
change in our arrangements, Mrs. Rus
ton," she said. "But I don't think
it's one that will disturb you very
much. I'm going to let Doris go
I'll get her another place, of course
and do her work myself"
Mrs. Ruston compressed her lips,
and went on for a minute with what
she was doing to one Of the twins,
as if she hadn't heard. "Doris is
quite satisfactory, madam" she said
at last. "rd not advise making a
change. She's a dependable young
woman, as such go. Of course watch
her very close"
81 think I can promise to be de-
pendable," Rose said. II don't know
much about babies, but I think I can
learn as we'll as Doris. Anyhow, l
can wheel them about and wash their
clothes and boil their bottles and
things as we'll as she does. And you
can tell me what to do just as you tell
her."
To this last observation it became
evident that Mrs. RuSton meant to
make no reply at all. She gave Rose
some statistical information about the
twins instead, in which Rose showed
herself politely interested, and present
ly withdrew.
| Rodney wore queer expression
all through dinner, and when he got
Rose alone in the library afterward,
he explained it. Mrs. Ruston had
given him notice, contingently. Rose
had informed her of her intention to
dispense with the service of the nurse
maid. If Rose adhered to this inten-
ton, Mrs. Ruston must leave.
It was some sort Of absurd misun-
derstanding, of course, Rodney con-
cluded, and wanted to know what it
was all about.
"I did say I meant to let Doris CO."
Rose explained, "but told her I meant
to take Doris job myself. I said
nursemaid as she was. And I meant
! it."
He was prowling about the room in
a worried sort of way, before she got
as far as that. 81 don't see, child,
he exclaimed, "why you couldn't leave
well enough alone! If it's that old
economy bug of yours again, it's non
sense. You, to spend all your time
doing menial work to save me ten
dollars q weekw
sit isn't menial work." Rose insist
ed. Its apprentice work. After I've
been at 1t six months, learning as fast
as can, I'll be able to let Mrs. Ruston
60 and take her job-Iu be really
competent to take care of my own
children. I don't pretend I am now.'
He stared at her in perfectly honest
bewilderment. you're talking rather
wild I think, Rose" he said very quiet
ly.
"I'm talking what I've learned from
you," she said. "Oh, Rodney, please
try to forget that I'm your wife and
that you're in love with me. Cant
you just say: Here's A, or B, or x, q
perfectly healthy woman, twenty-five
years old, and a little real work would
be good for herr"
She won, with much pleading, sort
Of troubled half-assent from him. The
matter could be taken up again with
Mrs. Ruston.
Given fair field, Rose might have
won victory here. But, as Portia
had said once, the pattern was cut diff
ferently. There was a sudden alarm
one night, when her little namesake
WAS found strangling with the Group
There were seven terrifying hours-al
most uncomfortable hours, while the
young life swung and balanced over
the ultimate abyss. The heroine Of
those hours was Mrs. Ruston. That
the child lived was clearly creditable
to her.
Rose made another effort even after
that, though she knew she was beaten
in advance. She waited until the ole
calm routine was re-established. Then
once more, she asked for her chance
But Rodney exploded before she got
the words fairly out Of her mouth
"No," he shouted, II won't consider it
She's saved that baby's life. You'll
bavo fo find cOrio uoV Of SATISFYING