The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-12-31

For as Arthur Warren, greatly dis
turbed in his mind, bent over her, his
hand for a moment rested on. hers, and
in that moment she knew her secret
that she loved him and would love
him always But the sudden knoWl-
edge only made her sob the harder.
Suddenly she lifted q tear-stained face
and threw her arms about his neck.
"Oh, Mr.. Warren! Please hold me
Don't let me go-and don't let me wear
that awful red hat again Please !"
A man with less perspicuity than
Arthur Warren might well have put
down her words for the rawlings of
hysteria'; but Arthur Warren was
man of understanding Also he was
no more proof than any of us would
have been against the girls pleadings.
He held her in his arms, rocking her
to and fro as though she were tired
child, and murmured words of comfort
in her ear. Presently she fell asleep,
and he laid her on the couch while he
rang up a doctor.
Nervous breakdown" commented
the doctor crisply. Nothing serious,
but-must be careful. Lots of rest
and outdoor exercise. No work for
while Diet" here he launched into
highly technical discussion, to which
Warren paid no attention.
Four hours later little Nellie Bates
woke to find herself in wonderful
pink room, pinl1er than any room she
had ever imagined. A white-capped
nurse was standing by the bed in
which Nellie lay, and all around her
were flowers. The nurse smiled at
her as she opened her eyes, and tip
toed from murmur of low voices out
side her door. and then Arthur Warren
came into the room, shut the door
softly behind him and came to the
bedside.
where am II" asked Nellie
you're at my country place, dear"
replied Arthur, "and you're going to
stay here till you get we'll"
Strange to say, neither of them
seemed to notice that he had said
dear" Nellie asked another question.
"How did / get here?'
you had a nervous breakdown this
morning something about red hat"
replied Warren, land so lugged you
out here for a while. My aunt. a most
estimable lady, is going to stay with
you and act as combined head nurse
and chaperon. You're all right-a
good rest will put you on your feet
again. And you shall stay here till
you're we'll"
Nellie looked up at him. He surely
had nice eyes, she thought. And he
was looking at her and smiling in a
queer sort of way-not at all the way
he usually looked at her in the studio ;
and she was suddenly conscious of a
desire to say a great many things to
him; but all she managed was fee
Bile moan, as he turned away to leave
the room.
At the sound he was back at the
bedside like flash. as anything the
matter?" he asked anxiously.
Nothing" said Nellie, in a faint
voice. "That -except-how long
can I" How ridiculous The words
wouldn't seem to get out.
"YesT" encouraged Warren.
"How long can I-stay here?"
Arthur Warren hesitated. Then he
suddenly sank to his knees beside the
bed and caught her hands in his.
Nellie, dear, you can stay just as
long as you want. didn't know until
this morning that I loved you--but l
know it now and I've got to tell you.
You can stay here just as long as you
want"
Nellie drew him down to her.
"Oh, Arthur, dear" she murmured.
81 think I'd like to stay always"