The Washington herald., 1920-02-03
By May Christie

Alice took me to my room as soon
as We had explained the accident to
her.
Its going to be "a CHASTITY week
end" she remarked. switching on the
tights. what with Illness in the house,
and everything upset. there'n be no
fun at all! Helene"'-she wheeled me
round so that the electric bulbs shone
fun on me-'you look for all the
world as though you'd seen a ghost"'
maryeled at her. Jim, lowering
between life and death-and she
wearing the diamond bracelet he had
given her. could talk like this!
MY dear. you must have some tea
1t once" a ray OF human compass
sion seemed to CLEAN in Alice's blue
eyes. She rang the bell. You'll have
some supper later on. We finished
dinner half an hour ago. I really
sidn't expect you till els"
She helped me out of my travelling
dress. and into a pretty evening gown.
But. oh, what a mockery il all was
Suppose Jim shouldn't recover?
iaren't let my mind dwell on that
thought
1 drank the tea her maid brought
10 me. Then Alice and l descended
% the dining room.
Tony was there, with some week
snd gucstss of the Anstruthers.
He got up as we entered
Sit down. Helene" The carcssinS
tote was in mis- voice. His eyes were
liked upon my face. You needn |
worry too much about that poor chap
rat YOU rescued. The doctor says
ie1I pull through all right. provided
le has good nursing, and perfect
luiet"
Alice wheeled round.
Ard how" she drawled. rs he 10
get either commodity in this house?
Tony looked ashamed of her.
The doctors telephoned Tor a
,urse. and sent the car to meet Ter.
luckily. there's an excellent woman
1t a house about six miles away. She
ought to be mere in half an hour. As
;or the perfect quiet that's needed
or the patient. Mr.. Travis Lloyd very
IensibIy suggests that We all go over
or the weekend TO his place.
Alice looked relieved. Fard-hearted
.reature, she couldn't possibly have
Jared for Jim,
That's a good scheme. My house
Ieeper is so splsndid. she can manage
he servants quite well without me.
And Thorny Grange is a wonderful
nOUse TO visit. Do let's go"
No longer could 1 keep silence.
Il prefer to stay and help the doc
or and the nurse" Ny voice was
lot quite steady as l spoke. And
ears were in my eyes. l couldn't
possibly leave JIM
Don't he a little goose, Helene.
What do you know of nursing? Be
tides. the mans a perfect stranger 10
Tou." Alice's tones we're hooking.
And her stare was insolent. She made
! evide1S that she considered my Of
'er TO be presumptuOus.
oh, if she only knew the truth:
At this psychological moment
Travis Lloyd. accompanied by the
ioctor. came into the room.
Again l repeated my offer. The
IoCtor shook his head.
we don't need you in the mean
inc. I've engaged a first class
l1ESt- -AlAu AAAt iAtlF IL
Ievel-headed woman. She'll help,
co."
7 trink he noticed Row my face
ell. for the added. kindly:
Go over to Thorny Grange with
he others. and I promise you that
we need extra assistance ! shall
,hone for you"
Nothing more was to be said. With
his small CTumb of comfort / had
ierfOrce to be satisfied.
ThOrny Grange was a dear old
'ambling house. set in magnificent
grounds. Isolated in position, il
ormed a quaint retreat from the
urmoil of the outer world.
We were a subdued little party
hat evening. the weekend guests
rom AnStruther Lodge.
Come on-let's have game of
ridge" suggested Alice. dragging
7ony from my side. The others
ire waiting for us in the library"
I saw her husband raise his eye
'rows critically. He hates his wife