The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-09-27
DoLLIE's CURE
BY MILDRED White.

"And so," finished Aunt Abigail,
douglas can never hope to marry
while his mother is alive. There are
no bonds so strong as the weakness
with which an invalid holds her sub
ject.
douglas has tried one nurse after
another; capable, charming women,
too, but not one could bring his moth.
er to any degree Of helpfulness to her.
self. Mrs. Cameron relies upon 9TH
ers for her slightest need, and all are in
terror of her hysterieal outbursts. Not
that Celia Cameron is noisy in her at
lacks, but her silent and prolonged
weeping wears more think upon ones
nerves. Her husband spoiled her by
his unreasoning devotion, and Douglas
was forced to continue the slavery.
Pardon me, my dear, much as love
Celia Cameron, slavery is the word
which expresses her exactions. And
when 1t became evident that Douglas
was paying attention to yourself, my
conscience chided me for being the
means Of bringing you together. 1t is
honest Of him to ask you to spend
fretful society before urging you to be-
come engaged to him. He certainly
wants you to know what you are about,
and from what Huldah White told me
Of her experience as nurse there
can foresee that your visit will be de-
cidedly short. You have neither HUI
dah's patience nor endurance. You've
always been humored yourself Dollie.
When I try to fancy Douglas mother
and you in the same house-thc thing
Is impossible"
Dollie clasped her arms about her
curly head, and into the china-blue
eyes which had caused her family to
bestow upon her the name Of Dolly
came an inscrutible light.
yet, am going to marry Douglas"
she said, "and I'm going to make that
visit"
Douglas himself looked apprehensive
as he met his sweetheart at the
suburban station and drove her out to
his fine old home
Mother" he gently announced.
"Dollie will visit with you in the gar
den; she will not be In the least Of
Tended when you are tired Of talking II
you send her away"
Dollie agreed with doubtful smile
~ the son departed.
II get tired Of talking myself" she
told the invalid sadly, 1T ruffies my
nerves."
Nerves." cried the other, and she
leaned eagerly forward.
MY doctor forbids the subject. and
the nurses were like sticks when I
ventured a thought. 1t will be com.
forting at least to talk to one who SYM
pathetically understands. Douglas
never told me that you also suffer from
nerves. Now, do you have wakeful
nights, and crying turns, and.
II often cry" admitted Dollie. III
things don't 60 my way Audi just
can't fuss doing every little thing for
myself, especially when I've a head.
The chlna-blue eyes grew pathetic.
II have headache now" said Dollie.
Would you mind handing me that pill
low"
The invalid hesitated moment
aghast
"Douglus brings the reclining chair
out for me to rest on" she sug@
gestetI
Jumping into it, Dollie closed her
eyes.
Its great" she said cheerfully; |
nov If you'd just arrange my pill
low" Presently the invalid found
herself slipping it under DolIie's quiet
head. The girls soft hair touched the
older woman's fingers, and with an uR-
known impulse the slim hand moved
taressingly through its waves.
as your head so very badT she
asked.
Opening her distressed eyes, DOL
lie answered With question:
"You think that you could read a
little to me-from your book? A read.
ing sound soothes, think, don't your"
II never read aloud" the invalid re-
sponded fearfully. have to be-read
to-"
"Oh, dear!" moaned the girl, tears
seeming dangerously near her CULVER
ing lids.
If YOU cry" Mrs. Cameron said
ENORMOUSLY, II shall leave you. 1t
would quite unsettle me"
what" asked Dollie suddenly in
terested, do you do when you feel
Nike crying?"
"Some one usually tries to distract
me-" the invalid replied.
"But how?" Dollie persisted.
Miss White used to tell me stories,"
she said at last.
Dollle reclined again with a relieved
sigh.
Suppose" she suggested, that you
tell me story now about Douglas,
when he was little boy. How he
Arst started off to school, and-some
Of his paughtiness, too. I-love Doug
hs-more, than any one In the world.
You love him: We could enjoy the
stories together. Please"