The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-18
still ranked.
Warren is Sorry

Warren is Sorry
Half past twelve the telephone rang,
and Helen, knowing it was Warren,
slipped eagerly out of bed, holding dig
lilly to the wall.
We'll, what did the doctor say?"
was his first question.
"Oh dear, he says 1 have tonsilitis.
and that I'll have to stay in bed for
several days."
That So? That is hard. kitten. I'm
! awfully sorry. What did he give
your"
Helen told him of the prescriptions
she had sent out to have filled
When is he coming again."
why, he wanted to come in the
| morning, but I didn't know then what
he was going to charge-so told him
you would telephone"
Bother the charge-you've got to
get well. Never mind. I'll phone him.
Throat hurt much?"
"Oh, it's so sore-hurts dreadfully
to swallow"
We'll. you mustn't stand there and
catch cold. Go back to bed-In get
home just soon as I can"
The afternoon which Helen looked
forward to with so much dread passed
very quickly. Perhaps it was the fever
OF the meOlClne LIdI HlduS HSI 50
drowsy, for she dozed most of the
time.
Warren came earIy-it was hardly
five. He sat down by the bed, took
both her hands. and there was a gen.
tleness and anxiety in his manner
that thrilled Helen even in her drowsy
lethargy.
"How'S the thrOat?'
1T hurts when l talk"
Then you mustn't talk. I'll phone
the doctor as he chafed her hands.
Hes coming in the morning. Said
the main thing was for you not to
catch cold while you've got this tenn
perature; you mustn't stir around
Now, l don't know what to do about
a nurse" thoughtfully. Don't like the
idea of your being here alone"
"A nurse? Oh, Warren, we can't af-
ford a nurse over herein this hotel
with all her meals.
I'VE can afford anything that's
necessary to get you well. But well
wait till morning and see how you
are'
He went over to the telephone and
called down for a dinner card.
I'm going to have my dinner sent
up here So you won't be alone any
more tonight. You're to have some
clam broth-that's what the doctor or
dered."
Helen smiled family. What do you |
think he told me? He said / mustn't |
have anything but Stops"
"Slops,'' laughed Warren. That's |
English for you. That's nice appe- |
tizing suggestion for a sick person! |
But you're not going to be sick alone. |
Well have you well and out Of here" |
Helen, who had moved over nearer |
the edge OF the bed SO she might rest |
her cheek against Warren's arm as he |
sat beside her. now tried to draw his |
face down to hers. But he suddenly |
jerlsed away.
Don't kiss me-" sharply. That
tonsilitis may be catching. i can't af-
ford to be laid up"
Now Helen knew 1t was unreason-
able for her to be hurt at this for 1t |
was right that he should be careful. |
But she was Ill and unstrung and this |
sudden change to his old curtness sent |
the quick tears to her eyes.
by Georgei" irritaply Nothing |
ever satisfied you. Here I've tried to
be as considerate as I could-and now
just because I don't want to run any
risks you're nightly offended. Do |
you know what it would mean if |
should be laid up over here?"
"Oh yes, dear 1 KNOW know you
have got your work and everything
and 1 wa unreasonable; I'm just
weak and nervous-that's all"
WELL don't push me too hard.
There's a limit to my patience even If
you are sick
Helen felt chill sinking into her
heart. Had his consideration and ten
derness then been forced? That was
what his tone seemed to imply. Had
his desire to get her well been not
from love or sympathy. but merely to
avoid the Inconvenience of a longer
illness
Desperately she tried TO crush out
these thoughts, tried to make herself
believe that she was morbid, inconsis-
tent and unreasonable"
See here, it's time to take your
medicine His voice was non-com-
initial: it held neither the recent ten
derness nor the curtness of the last
few moments.
Praise From Warren
1t was a particularly bitter mixture |
but when he handed her the glass
Helen drank it quickly without COM
ment.
Kittens pretty good at taking med
icine.' and now there was more ten
der note in his voice. That's nasty
dose. Want some water?'
AS she slipped the water her eyes
met his over the top of the glass. Her
gaze was trenmulous. questioning.
wistful, and he answered it by stoop-
ing over and kissing her lightly on the
hair.
Then with an indulgent smile, II
guess that's safe"