The Lamar register., 1919-01-01


money, he needs n woman to help him;
and II he gets the right kind he's all
right. and If he doesn't he's all wrong.
! tell you I'm not interested In girls
and III die bachelor as sure as the
sun rises and sets"
Laehesls frowned. Such defiancei
She was puzzled. but she was very re-
sourceful. For days at II time she
would stand and hold those two
threads, one in each hand. But when
she attempted to bring them together
her arms would stiffen.
Six months before II was time for
him to celebrate his twenty-eighth an
nlversary something put into Jacks
head the idea of touring the States.
As he had accumulated n comfortable
pile of the metal so much desired on
this globe and as he had taken In
partner who was capable OF conduct
ing the business alone. there was no
reason why lie should not carry the
idea Into effect.
II was on the outskirts of Chicago
that the accident occurred. The train
hit n broken rail or something and the
person wus severely injured and that
was Jack Watson. whose arm was
broken
He was taken to Chicago hospital,
where the arm was set His condition,
physically and financially, warranted a
nurse being assigned TO special duty on
the case.
This was the first opportunity he
had had to study woman at close
range. and II proved decidedly interest
ing. The nurse was In constant at
tendance during the day and ready to
answer his call at any time during the
night. She was continually putting
thermometers Into his mouth and TAX
ing them out again. feeling his pulse,
feeding him ice cream and other deli
cacies, and smiling. And she had a
pretty face. always shining with good
cheer. and lot OF other nice ways
about her
That's funny" Jack told himself
frequently. 81 never knew a woman
could be so useful in this busy world"
And he got to wishing that his arm
wouldn't he In any hurry about getting
mended. and his mind began thinking
strange thoughts; that Is, strange for
him.
OF course, you know the nurse was
| Esther Richards. But he did not. A
lot of changes take place In person
between the ages of eight and twenty
4 five: and there was no more reason
yty he should associate this Miss
/ Richards with the one Of his school
days In Ohio than that she should
recognize her childhood sweetheart in
this Mr. Watson who was her patient.
Had Jack been less reticent about
himself their former acquaintanceshIp
would have leaked out In the "small
talk" that usually develops between n
nurse and n convalescine patient but
AS he was one who took things for
granted and never displayed curiosity.
especially concerning the affairs OF
women. he luid not even asked the
cusfoInnry "Whcre Is your homer"
Naturally her professional reserve. ac-
qulr.d during nearly three yenrs OF
training precluded the possibility OF
her taking the initiative In such per
sonul matters; so the fact that they
had not been schoolmates and puppy
ipNt NNtttifsiIiS I'ilhlntn uIif-
venled.
He fought against the peculiar feel
ing that was creeping over him. but II
was losing Hight. lie gave up the
struggle and confessed. first to himself
and later to her. that he was In love
with her lie told her all about II on
the day he was to leave the hospital.
'DO you believe In lover she In
qulred. MS she stood beside the bed
and retained that professional de
meanor sufficiently to keep him from
seizing her hand. These days. peo-
pie are beginning Ia have the idea that
marriage Is only a business contract"
Jack laughed and forgot all about
Melbourne and real estate. business
club dinners and hermits' lives.
"Lovei" he echoed. surely. l be-
lleve In love. Every one was made for
some one. and WAS made for you. I've
felt that ever since l first saw you
standing by this bed and counting my
heart-beats. Haven't you felt the same
wayf"
She forgot about being profes
sional" and her hand found its way
into his.
Perhaps" she confessed. That's
what We always read In books; and
there may be something to IT. Really, !