New Britain herald., 1918-06-08

REVELATIONS OF A WIFE
By AnELE GARRISON

, moment of the important task which had been delegated to me, that of calming by my presence the delirious imaginings of the wounded man be- fore me.
 I looked down quickly into his face, although my eyes were somewhat blurred by the rush of tears which had come to them at my thoughts of my husband and which I had in some fashion kept from shedding. The wounded officers eyes were open, and he was looking intently at me. The wild light-of which the nurse had told me-had gone out of them. In it's stead there was look of unutter- able relief, but even as my eyes cleared and I saw him clearly, a shadow crept into his. "You-are-real?" he said slowly, doubtfully. "You-are-alive?"
 "Very much alive,' I answered cheerily for instinct told me this was the best way to reassure him. AS spoke I took my hand from his fore head.
 He frowned as I did so, and looked like an unhappy child.
 "Don't-take-it- he said painfully. Hike it."
 sI'H Not Go Away
 Reluctantly l resumed the smooth ing of his hair back from his fore head, the service which the nurse had requested of me while he was deliri- ous. I was furious at myself because I couldn't control the flush which overspread my face at his request.
 He did not see my em barrassment, however, for he had closed his eyes as he spoke, and for a little while lay quiet, so quiet, indeed, that I was be- ginning to be alarmed. But just as I was about to appeal to the nurse, who also was watching him, he opened his eyes again.
 why did your eyes have tears in them just now?" he asked, and this time his words came less painfully closer together. Are you hurt badly, after all? I've been afraid they were lying to me-"
 His voice rose in excitement. I saw that the only way to quiet him was the method one would use with a frightened child. I bent a little closer to him.
 Look at me-" said, just a hint of sharpness In my tone, 'and listen carefully while I tell you the absolute truth. I am not hurt I am very well, and you must have been mis- taken about the tears in my eyes You don't see any there now, do you?'
 I smiled at him as I asked the last question, and a slow, weak grin curved the corners of his mouth.
 Mary one,'' he returned with 8 pitiful attempt at lightness, and then the nurse tntervened.
 Take this now, please she said, "and then close your eyes and try to go to sleep.''
 She held a formidable looking dose of medicine out to him. He looked up at her rebelliously.
 1T don't want to go to sleep"
 "I know" soothingly. "But you must" the note of authority predom- inant.
 Will she stay right here and not let go my hand?''
 The nurse looked at me, a calm, professional glance; yet I could not but imagine that her eyelashes yelled a quizzica1 look. I felt myself flush ! ing again, but knew there was only one answer for me to give. I looked {; down into the pleading eyes of the ] wounded man. 1
 ''I'll not go away. I promise you" 1
 ''Thank you. All right, nurse.' 1
 Obediently he swallowed the dose she gave him, smiled up at me with a touch of whimsicality, and closed 1 his eyes like a tired child. For sev- eral torturing minutes his fingers and eyes twitched nervously, and his head jer1ed occasionally from side to side as if he were in pain. But gradually he became quieter, and before long was drawing deep. regular, restful r breaths, and sleeping as naturally as if he were just an ordinarily fatigucd man.
 "But I Promised
 "I think you can slip away now" the nurse murmured in my ear. He will never notice your going.''
 I felt vaguely, foolishly resentful of the air of complete authority which her. It was as if she had l said: You have done well, child, but we don't need you any longer"
 l didn't stop to analyze the impulse which made me say determinedly:
 "But I promised him I wouldn't leave him while he slept, and I must keep my word.'