The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-05-24

cords upon his hand. He had forced
himself to speak quietly and his voice
gave no hint Of the agony of fear that
possessed him.
Are You going 70 let your will
stand between us, spoil our llvesl
Happiness will lengthen yours. And
mine?" He drew deep breath. 1--WE
will not talk OF mine, dear. For your
own sake | implore you to listen to
me-"
"Auntle, what does Doctor Max
want you to do?" The forgotten child
slipped between them and threw an
arm across the frall figure.
"He wishes me to so away with
him, dear"
"Wlll you?" Ruth questioned in
sudden fear.
Tile weary eyes looked steadily into
the dominant ones above her and were
held by the pain and misery she saw
in their depths. Her own were dark
with suffering as she turned away
with a sigh.
"NO. sweetheart"
With laugh of relief the child re-
sumed her play and the man left the
room.
Some hours later as the last rays
Of the setting sun glinted across the
flower-scented room, Ruth danced into
it holding her doll closely saying over
and over one word until the rythm
reached the dulled consciousness OF
the woman lying on the couch and
aroused her.
"What is it you say, dear?"
"Such a funny word that nanny
told me about" the child answered.
"Skidded. l want to know what, it
means, because she says Doctor Max
did it down the hill. She didn't tell
me where"
Suddenly erect Margeret stared at
the child. "Tell Nanny Rose to come
here, Ruth, and we will find out what
she meant"
"Fs righ' hyar, Miss Mar'gret. l
JUS dun folIer dat chill case feared
she'd say somefin she shouldn't. Now
dom yo' git skeered, honey, fO' thar
ain nothin' to git skeered about"
. "What are you talking about, Mann
my? What has happened to Doctor
Max? Tell me at once"
Jus muffin but what dat no count
niger, Jake, toll me. He say de doc
tor skidded, eff yo' know what dat
mean, an dun brought up at de horse
piddle. Lan's sakel Whar yo' goin',
Miss Margaret. hab yo' done gone
clare crazy?"
For Margeret had left the couch
and was making her way. slowly,
toward the veranda
through the open window.
Followed by her old nurse and the
child, with one intent, to
reach the hospital around the corner
from her home, she went falteringly
on, catching now and then to man.
ny's shoulder, again Strengthening
herself and walking alone while the
I'D cOlored woman muttered impreca-
ions upon her son, Jake, whose story
lad brought about this unheard-Of
hing.
But the strength, keyed for the mo-
nent to unusual exertion could last |
,ut little time. Conscious that it
vas fast leaving her, Margeret prayed |
or it to last until she reached the |
prayed that she would be
n time to tell him that she was awake |
It last. Nothing mattered but that |
lie should know what life would mean
o her without him, and she hurried,
hurried until at length she sank ex-
lausted upon the steps leading up to
1t. Luke's.
There were people about who stared
It her. Nanny Rose with hands
Ipon her bulging hips glared at them
IS she sheltered the girl with her
uge figure. Then an inspiration
anne to her and her manner changed
o ingratiating blandness.
"Ef one OBJ yO'alls IL go up thar
n ask fo' de doctor 1 suttinly'd be
luch erbleeged."
"Any one in particular" some one
sked.
"Suttinly not" she replied, with
ignity. "Jus' some doctorll do"
She waited long long enough for
he passersby, their curiosity unsat-
SIZED, to go their different ways.
Tearing steps behind her she turned
nd for the second time within the
our gasped out her amazement at the
nexpected.
go Gawds sake! WOt yo' doin'
lnnin' down desc hyar stairs Miss
Iar'gret an me fou't yo' was daid!"
"Hush Nanny" Doctor Max said
nperatively. "Hush." STOPPING, he
altered the girl into his arms. Then
Largeret spoke.
81 am only tired. Just tired. Is 1T
eally you, Max? | was afraid I
ould never reach you and / wanted
, to tell you that I give up. l
fought 1 was right, dear, but moth
Ig matters now but just you," and
efore the scandalized gaze of Nam
v Rose the girl slipped her arms
,out the big doctors neck, jus as
she had'n bin brung up spectacle"
Ie old woman mOaned.