The Prescott daily news., 1918-05-15

the light curtains to and fro and wait ed the delicious fragrance through the open window. A little child was seat ed upon the floor burying white kitten under the red rose petals she had pulled from stems scattered about. Near her lay a doll very much un- dressed. Beside 1t little pile of dainty clothing ready for use when her mistress remembered what was due to responsibility.
 Watching the group with listless eyes was a woman, stretched with an invalid's inertness upon couch. Lis tening to the child's low talk, she caught the sound of quick step upon the veranda and faint gleam of color rose to her face to disappear before man stepped through the long window into the room man alert in move ment whose keen eyes softened to marvellous gentleness as he looked to- ward her.
 With an almost imperceptible mo- ton the girl pressed more deeply into the pillows supporting her. The slight movement was not lost upon the man. who laid his hand upon the child's head, laughing as he turned her face to meet his gaze.
 What careless, careless mother, Ruth. to leave your child In this con- dition. She will take cold"
 "Tm aw1y anxious, Doctor Max, and I'm ulo6 houa " cha n- swered, gravely. "Tm afraid Colum- bia has hurt herself and will have to have an op'ration."
 With gravity equaling her own, the physician took the doll and worked at stiff and broken joints until legs and arms moved easily. He was glad of the respite, for the slight withdrawing of the woman upon the couch had hurt him to the quick. Not until the doll was in perfect order did he turn and take the slender hand in his strong, warm clasp. With professional quick ness he noted the irregular pulse and heavy eyes.
 You did not sleep last night" he said gently.
 "No," she answered, quietly meet ing his eyes.
 With sigh he left her side and stood for long looking with unseeing eyes into the old-fashioned garden
 You gain no strength" he said at last, the misery in his heart told in the sudden strain of his voice. For the moment the usually self-contained physician was not himself.
 If thought my leaving you. Mar geret, would be your gain would go within the hour. But you need me. You need my strength my under standing. This, that you allow to stand between us is false conception of your physical condition. You have thought about yourself until you have become obsessed by the idea that you are helpless invalid"
 "Wiii ever be strong, Maxi"
 Strength would come with happi- ness. It is happiness you are fighting with all that is In you under the mis- taken impression that you would make of my life failure by coming to me, whereas I need you more than I can say. I need peace of mind. That cannot have when I see you putting from you the love God has implanted in your heart; that you have told me you feel for me.
 "The battle is going against you, dear. Each day I see 1t. It is the constant effort to keep the barrier be- tween us that tells SO upon you. I know this as your physician. I know it because of my love for you. Why are you so unwilling to allow me to be the judge of what is best for me? That is what you are doing. Deciding for mo. Dear, no man who Is a man Is going to accept without protest such me there Is nothing more to he said am man enough, I hope, to take my medicine without whimpering. But you have told me that you do care !; that you will not give yourself to ne because you will be drag upon my life"
 There was moment of silence, then she put her slender fingers about his | and rested her cheek against his hand. Max, would that be at peace if did as you wish?" she asked gen. | tly as she placed his hand over her laboring heart. "Would happiness con- tinue where there would be constant regret? You say I am obsessed by the fear I would spoil your life. am. What help could be to a man | climbing, as you are climbing each | day higher in your profession? I would be proud of you. yet 1 could