Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-06-04

her off," His hands closed and then
relaxed, lying helplessly on the covers
When Carol returned she looked sus-
piciously from the stern white face
ron the pillow to the disturbed one OF
her caller.
David is tired, Mrs. Safer" she
said gently. Lets go out in the other
room and visit. have made him
laugh too much today and he is weak.
Come along and maybe I can sell you
some more furniture" Then to David,
brightly, 1T was Mrs. Adams, David,
she. wanted to know II we needed any
nice fresh eggs" She flashed a smile
at him and his lips answered. but his
eyes were mute Carol looked back
at him from the doorway, questioning.
but finally followed Mrs. Safer into
the next room.
Mrs. Safer, you will excuse me now,
won't you?" she said. But have
feeling that David needs me. He
looks so tired. You will come in again
and"
Certainly, my dear. David first by
all means. Run right along. And II
you need any more fresh eggs, just let
me know"
Eyes, thank you, yes"
Carol whispered the kindly WON.
an earnestly, why don't you go home
and stay with your father until David
is better? They will take such good
care Of him at the hospital, and he
will need you when he is we'll, and 1t
isn't safe, Carol it positively is not
safe. Why won't you do as he tells
you?"
Carol stood up. very straight and
very tall. MRS. Safer" she said, you
know am an old-fashioned Methodist
And believe that God wanted David
to have me in his illness, when he is
idle. II he hadn't, the illness would
have come before our marriage. But
think God foresaw 1t coming and
thought maybe could do David good
when he was laid aside. know / am
a silly little goose, but David loves
me. and is happy when am with him.
and enjoys me more than anything
else in the world. l am going with
him. 4 know God expects me to do
my part
And Mrs. Safer went away, after
kissing Carols cheek. which already
was paling little with anxiety.
Carol ran back to David and sat on
the floor beside him, pulling his hand
from beneath the cover and kissing
the white, blue-veined fingers She
crooned and gurgled over him as
mother over a little child. but did not
speak until at last he turned to her
and said abruptly:
carol. won't you go home until
get well? Please dear, for my sake
Carol kissed the thumb once more
and frowned at him. "You want to
flirt with the nurses when you get out
there, and are trying to get me out OF
the road. Every one says nurses are
dangerous"
Carol, please"
MRS. Safer has been talking to you.
Oh, knew it. She is nice, kind,
Christian woman, and loves us both.
but, David. why doesn't God teach
some people to mind their own ousi'
ness? She is a good Christian, know,
dear, but DO believe there is still q
little work of grace to be done In her"
David smiled little, sadly.
Carol, it would break my heart If
you got this from me-"
"1>won't get it. They will teach us
how to be careful and sanitary, ano
take proper precautions, and things
like that. I am going to be very. very
careful. Why, honey, l won't get it.
But, David, would rather get 1t than
70 away and leave you. I couldn't 40
that. / should never be happy again
If l left you when you were needing
me-"
David turned his face to the wall.
"Maybe. dear" he said very gently,
maybe it would be better If you did
20 home-better for me. need per.
feet rest you know, and we talk ana
laugh so much and have sucn good
times together. don't know, possibly
I might get we'll faster-alone.
For a long time Carol gazed at him
in horror. David" she gasped. Don't
say that. Dear, I will 80 home II 1t
makes you worse to have me. l Will
do anything. I only want to help you.
But will be very nice and quiet. IKE
a mouse, and never say word, and
not laugh once, If you take me with
you. David, do l make you feel sick.
er? Does my chatter weary you
thought I was helping to anuse you
Carol, ! can't lie like that even to
send you away from me. Maybe l
ought to, but I cant. Why, sweet
heart, you are the only thing left in
the world. You are the world to me
now. Dear, l said 1t for your sake.
not for mine, Carol, never for mine.
Slowly the smiles struggled through
the anguish in her face. and she re-
sumed her kissing Of his fingers.
"Silly old goose" she murmured;
"big old silly goose. Just because he's
lpreacher he wants to boss all the
time. Can't boss me. won't be
bossed. like to boss myself. I won't
let my beautiful old David 60 OF out
there to flirt with the nurses and In.
dian girls and whoever else is out
there. should say not. I'll stick right