New Britain herald., 1918-05-30
OF A WIFE
By ApEEE GARRISON

raillery which was so characteristic of her. were in themselves a tonic. But they were not the only medicines 1 had received. Since the first blurred awakening I had been half conscious of being partly reused a number of times, just long enough to receive draughts or potions which must have done the work designed for them, for I felt their effects in the strength that seemed flowing back to me. > I answered Lillian's raillery with a smile, and then my eyes traveled around the room in which l found myself-a pleasant one with an open fire, dainty white curtains at the win dows g. chiffonier and table of spot less white, two or three rockers also of white, and the white iron bed upon which l was lying.
 '"This Is Fine"
 II suppose I am in a hospital said.
 Your suppositions are eminently correct, oh! Vidoca, Jr.,'' returned Lillian. And now I'll just hand you another supposition, and that is that you're not going to talk until after your breakfast. Then I'll tell you all after the most approved third-ac fashion,
 The door opened and the same sweet-faced nurse whom I had seen with Lillian upon my first awakening, and of whom I had been vaguely con scious during my brief housings in the night to take the nourishment she of fered, came into the room.
 "Ah." she said, smiling, "this is fine, Now for some breakfast
 I liked her immediately, and the liking wasn't lessened when, after stepping quietly out of the room and giving her breakfas order, she came back and, in the deftest, tenderest manner possible, sponged my face and hands, brushed and braided my hair and, going to the wardrobe, brought from it a breakfast jacket which l recognized as one of my own.
 No\ Denying Lillian.
 For moment I wondered wildly a the appearance of this familiar article of my wardrobe in this strange hos pital; then I looked at Lillian, com- prehension dawning in my eyes.
 You have been at my house.
 Guilty, as charged in the indict- ment," Lillian retorted lightly. Now get into this, then lie back and shut your eyes until your breakfast comes."
 There was no disputing Lillian. felt that I could wheedle even the calm, professional-looking trained nurse more easily than I could my friend. So, after the nurse had put me into my breakfast jacket obedi- entity lay back as Lillian had told me to and closed my eyes.
 But I was trem mbling with impatient longing to hear the account of what had happened after I had fallen un- tO of in, low and when the nurse came back with a tray holding one of the daintiest breakfasts I'd ever seen served I tried to eat as rapidly as I possibly could in order to hasten the moment of revelation from Lillian.
 But I found that if I proposed, Lil- 1ian and the nurse disposed.
 Nothin'-do-ing, at-al1-at--a1l i'll this stuffing stunt" Lillian drawled, reaching out an efficient hand and re- moving the plate from the tray, while the nurse smilingly took away my coffee cup.
 You must eat and drink very slowly" the nurse said in her best professional manner.
 "You're both horrid," I said, half pettishly, but I'll be good
 "On honor?" Lillian laughed.
 Gross my heart" I retorted.
 All right and my breakfast came back.
 Now. then" Lillian said compe- tently when, under their inexorable eyes, I had finished my meal and the nurse had laid me comfortably down again, what do you want to know first ?''
 Was that officer killed?' I asked hreathlessly.