The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-10-24

i
needed. Keener, too, was Walters
gentleness. and the way his eyes would
rest upon her In moments when she
guessed he did not realize that she
knew he was looking at her. Every
thing seemed to combine to make life
more and more dismal as she looked
down the slope Of the years.
Worst Of all, and unguessed. she
found herself being drawn more and
more to the tall, handsome physician.
His personality seemed to the weak
ened and worried girl shelter within
which there was kindness and peace.
The full force of the situation did
not strike her until one momentous
day, when a girl came into the Office.
lovely with the loneliness that is al
| ways suggestive of June time and
roses. She was welcomed with mani
fest pleasure by Walter, and the strick-
en- girl in her simple gray and white
dress felt the world sink about her..
II must be brave" she said to her
self. must. He just pities me. and
must not trouble him."
Two weeks went by. The Junetide
girl came and went with Walter; and
his interest In her presence was evil
dent.
Then came the day that bore with
It change Of destiny.
The Junetide girl. her face flushed
with Joy, hurried from the office, end
Walter, following with as much pleas
ure shining on his, went with her.
Doris watched them 60, and guess
Ing what had taken place between
them. felt the room about her grow
gray as with dusk. From her world
the last sunshine went. Through the
darkness came a suggestion. She
trembled. To 60 through life alone
an object Of pity when she was so hum
cry for love. for beauty and happiness
and youth-it was too much.
The afternoon waned. The din Of
the great city ebbed into the low mon
otone suggestive Of tides that have
spent their force, drawing outward to
the sea. She sat In silence, then quiet
ly she went to the cabinet In which he
kept the drugs with which he stocked
his case. She knew every compart-
ment. From bottle she shook out
with steady hand three tablets-mor-
phine-enough to send her into the
long and restful sleep which would
carry her beyond suffering. beyond
pity, beyond heartache.
T.xing them, and shivering only
slightly In the act, she turned to the
couch and lay down. II am sorry,
dear, for the trouble and bother shall
cause you. but am weary beyond
WEAKNESS"
Out Of the darkness came voice,
insistent, firm and thrilling, with
meaning that broke into her conscious
ness. She opened her eyes, feeling
strangely rested and al. peace. $50
The lights were soft and shining in
the Office. Kneeling beside her, his
face strained with anxious question,
was Walter.
Doris, Doris, what have you been
trying tosdo?" The grief in his voice
woke her to full consciousness. Sanity
came. With low cry she sprang up,
to find herself caught in his arms
and held tight.
Don't pity mel" she begged breath
lessly.
His voice indicated that he had
found himself. ~ don't pity you." He
drew her closer to him. II love you
How blind you have been Haven't you
seem"
"Seen? You love me-me?" she
questioned I'm a whisper.
Listen. you stay in my arms until
am through. do love you--have from
the time I saw you in the ward, but
you have given me no sign-wrapped
in your own thought; Is that it?"
"But look at mel"
His mellow laugh relieved the ten
sion. $50 that is I'll Foolish girl,
am not one Of those who love face;
I love the spirit behind those brown
eyes Of yours--a troubled spirit now.
Let me bring It peace. May II Just
say 'Yesr"
She chung to him. Speech was be-
yond her for the moment. After
struggle she whispered: "And l have
loved you from the moment you
looked ut me and spoke to me, but
did not dream"
"The dream begins now, my dear, to
come true" H.s lips brushed her
warm and qulvering ones. Lets close
the Office. Then well 60 for long
spin under the stars. We"
She remembered. Horror filed her
eyes. "But / took morphine Why
did"
NO." he said gently; II was worried
about you, and was fearful myself. I
had filed that bottle with harmless
sugar pills. Little girl, have watched
you and kept ward over you. did not
intend to lose you-waiting In hopes
that you would take some interest In
me-"
The music In her heart died at the
shock of her recollection. At his last
words It started up softly the music
that links eternity to eternity.