The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-03-24

cords upon his hand. He had forced
himself to speak quietly and his voice
gave no hint Of the agony Of fear that
possessed him.
care you going to let your win
stand between us, spoil our nvesf
Happiness will lengthen yours. And
mine" He drew deep breath. I'VE
will not talk Of mine. dear. For your
own sake implore you to listen 10
me-"
"Auntie, what does Doctor Max
want you to dor" The forgotten child
slipped between them and threw n
arm across the frail figure.
HE wishes me to 20 away with
him. dear"
"wm your Ruth questioned IN
sudden fear.
The weary eyes looked steadily Int
the dominant ones above her and wsrs
held BY the pain and misery she saw
In their depths. Her own were dark
with suffering 40 she turned away
with a sigh.
mo, sweetheart"
With q laugh Of relief the child ~,
sumed her play and the man left the
room.
Some hours later 90 the last rays
Of the setting sun sllnted across the
flower-scented room. Ruth danced into
It holding her doll closely saying over
and over one word until the rythm
reached the dulled consciousness Of
the woman lying on the couch and
aroused her.
"What is 1t you say, dear"
"Such funny word that nanny
told me about" the child answered.
"Skidded. I want to know what It
means. because she says Doctor Max
did 1t down the hill. She didn't tell
me where"
Suddenly erect Margaret stared at
the child. "Tell Nanny Rose to come
here. Ruth, and we will find out what
she meant"
"ps righ' hyar, Miss Mar'gret ]
JUS dun foller dat chill case l feared
she'd say somefin' she shouldn't. Now
don yo' git skeered, honey, TO- thar
ain nothin' to git skeered about"
"What are you talking about, Nam
my? What has happened to Doctor
Max? Tell me at once"
Gus muffin but what dat no count
niger, Jake, toll me. He say de doc
tor skidded, eff yo' know what da
mean, an dun brought up at de horse
piddle. Lan's sake! Whar yo' goin'
Miss Margaret, hab yo' done gone
clare crazy?"
For Margaret had left the coucl
and was making her way slowly
stumblingly toward the verand'
through the open window.
Followed by her old nurse and tn
wondering child, with one intent, t
reach the hospital around the corne
from her home, she went falteringl
on, catching now and then to nam
my's shoulder. again straightenin
herself and walking alone while tn
old colored woman muttered impreca
tons upon her son, Jake, whose stor
had brought about this unheard-o
thing.
But the strength, keyed for the me
ment to unusual exertion could las
but little time. Conscious that
was fast leaving her, Margaret praye
for it to last until she reached tn
building; prayed that she would b
In time to tell him that she was awak
at last. Nothing mattered but ths
he should know what life would mea
to her without him, and she hurrie'
hurried until at length she sank e!
hausted upon the steps leading up
st. Luke's.
There were people about who stare
ut her. Nanny Rose with HAND
upon her bullying hips glared at the
as she sheltered the girl with h
huge figure. Then an inspirati(
came to her and her manner change
to ingratiating blandness.
"Ef one oh yo'alls III 60 up TIL
an ask TO- de doctor I suttinly'd
, much erbleeged."
!. "Any one In particularly" some Of
asked.
; "Suttinly not" she replied, wi
: dignity. "Jus' some doctor'll do"
She waited long, long enough
the passersby, their curiosity uns'
= isfled, to go their different wa!
!. Hearing steps behind her she turn
: and for the second time within t
= hour gasped out her amazement at t
= unexpected.
o $50 Gawds sakei Wot yo' do
!, runnin' down desc hyar stairsi M
q Mar'gret an me fou't yo' was daid
n "Hush Nanny" Doctor Max 81
n imperatively. FLUSH" STOPPING,
y gathered the girl into his arms. TIL
4 Margaret spoke.
" "I am only tired. Just tired. Is
It really you, Max? I was afraid
}: would never reach you and / want
,e so to tell you that l give up.
" thought l was right, dear, but no
ing matters now but just you," Q
N before the scandalized gaze of Mt
IL my Rose the girl slipped her ar