The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-14
Eoening Story
An Absolute Cure.
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD.

the sunshine of Sara Stafford's eyes,
he knew it was Sara he wanted. While
under the witching spell of Adele
Wentworth's attractive ways. he felt
equally certain that only Adele could
adequately fill the void in his life.
Granted that he loved them both,
which would make the better wife?
He would put them to the test And
what greater test could ever come to
any one than the ordeal of sickness
vague, indefinite disease, involving
time and money-and quite possibly
an unhappy ending? Whoever could
meet that cheerfully. efficiently, with
out shrinking, would show up well
under any trial life might offer.
And the following evening Carlton
sought Adele. DO you know" he
began very soon after the preliminary
expressions of greeting were over and
they were comfortably seated in the
one tiny sitting room Adede's beauti-
full but diminutive apartment afforded
for entertaining. DO you know any
name.
why, no." said Adele in ..stonish-
ment.
II don't either but the doctor says
mind you, 1 don't think 1 have it, or
at least not in an advanced stage
and 1 believe it may alwa. be post
poned.
Il have an idea" she said suddenly.
| You ought to go to the Summer San
itarium,' said Adele. 1T is a simply
| wonderful place and they are effecting
all kinds of cures. You simply must
60"
Carlton, wondering how Sara could
possibly be more solicitous hesitated.
then said he would let her .ow very
soon. The conversation turned tenn
/ porarily to other topics altho Adele
| showed tendency to bark back at in
tervals to the wonders of the Summer
| Sanitarium, its curative sun-parlCrs,
its marvellous food, it's efficient nurs-
ing personnel. She certainly wanted
him to be cured all right, and Carlton
left with a warm little feeling about
his heart. Now to put Sara to the
test.
To be quite frank, Sara did not
measure up to it as Adele had done
nor as he had expected.
sara" he had said gently, would
you feel badly IL you thought 1 was
well, not exactly suffering. but well.
possibly destined to suffer from a
DISQUALIFICATION? ''
Sara had looked puzzled. Tell HE
all about it," she had said.
Carlton had blundered thru a web
| of deceit, seeking to make as few mis-
statements as possible in order TO
| have fewer to retract at some future
day. Il am thinking of going to the
, Sumner sanitarium," he concluded.
oh" said Sara briefly, oh"
Carlton, reviewing the conversation
as he walked homeward, decided that
Sara was quite Indifferent to his well
fare and that Adele was the woman
for him. The firm owed him a couple
! of weeks vacation. He would run up
| to this excellent sanitarium, thus max
in A Ol an1 6a he lNtnd fxn- Id
/ vice. On his return he would an
nounce n complete cure, thus saving
| his face and avoiding any explana-
tions. Furthermore, he would proceed
the wedding ring and await the HAPPY
day.
A week later Carlton paced a de-
serted end of the station platform.
He was on his way to sun parlors and
nourishing food and splendid nursing.
tAll thanks to Adele's interest. AS for
Sara-well. Sara. when he telephoned.
had merely wished him the best of
luck and inquired what day and on
what train he left.
How are you feeling today?" spoke
up a sweet voice behind him.
Carlton turned abruptly on his heel.
A simple hat, long, trim ulster. be-
meath which showed the blue-gray
hem of her nurses uniform, did not
! disguise Sara.
| W n.y. SARA ne SdlO IN
! mot taking this train. are you?" He
looked questioningly at her bag
"Why-why-yes, I hope So" said
Sara. a queer little catch in her voice.
| But it's up to you. 1 happen 10
know that the sanitarium. being 80
| new and all, is terribly short of nurses.
1 thought perhaps you would let me
go along with you and say I was rec
, commended for your case by a doctor.
I'd love to do it," The intensity of
her expression left no doubt of her
sincerity.
But I didn't know you could
nurse" objected Carlton.
"Oh, yes" and Sara brushed the Sc
mark aside impatiently. II took the
training while you were in France.
That part Of it's all right"
You want to go and look out for
me-" said Carlton. slowly, impressive
~, as one upon whom great light
breaks.
ty face We'll" she said. ct must con-
fess that at first Thought Adele had
just been trying to rope in another pa
tient for her old doctors sanitarium
and had gotten you where you mag
ined there was something the matter
with you. But afterward-'
Excuse me-" said Carlton, peremp-
torily. Her old doctors sanitarium-
| what do you mean"
why. that Doctor Sumner she's 60
ing to marry. It isn't announced, but,
of course. everybody knows"
"Of course. of course" murmured
Carlton hastily. Then. throwing back
his shoulders. he looked squarely into
/ Sara's true blue eyes Sara" he said
| soIemnly, eff confession is good for the
soul. I am sure il is good for the
health-and when I am thru confess
ing you'll agree that I am perfectly
well. 1 only hope my sudden recov-
cry won't make you distrust me utter
". Do you think It wiil2" he asked
anxiously.
Sara looked frankly up at him.
mo, Carlton" she said gently. moth
ing could ever do that
Carlton glanced quickly about him.
They were alone. Darling" he whis-
pered. taking both hands In his. lets
not take the train
! Copyright. 1920. BY the Mcclure News