The Washington times., 1920-01-21
Copyright, 1920. Star Company
CHAPTER NXIy.


He related to Ruth CourtLey the
results fthe physicians consul
tation in short, terse sentences. Ihe
girl found too hard to appreciate
that this was the man with Whom
she had talked in his own nome
this morning.
II have told you all this he
said finally, that you may explain
conditions to your sister. All de-
pends upon her. so far as Hush
peace of mid and consequent
health of body and nerves are con-
cerned. Let me know In the morn
ing when he may expect Doria-
Good-by."
Mrs. Courtney and Doris had gone
into the living room to wait los
Ruth, and here the girl tollo"eu
them. ,ho+
when she entered she saw that
her sister had been crylig g. nv
cheeks were flushed and her eyes
slightly Redeemed.
ignoring these evidences ol
ton, Ruth drove stralSht W s
point and, in language Almost
businesslike as Mr., Rodneys own
renorted the invalid's condition.
"It Is lust as they feared, she
"unph is absolutely bliLd. The
ontic nerve may be-probably IS
narmanently injured. The only
chance of his ever seeing again
and there is but one chance In many
bupdred-would be destroyed were
he to have any great anxiety or
emotional strain. Moreover. aty
such strain would interfere dan
perously With his restoration 10
health.
"Therefore both physicians com
mand that he be kept quiet and as
happy as il is possible for a pima
man to be-"
Her One Thought.
"Fortunately," Mrs. Courtney re-
marked, "his father has the meaTs
to satisfy his needs"
"His physical needs are not those
tn be most considered" Ruth said.
"From what understand, al
nerves are more seriously affected
that his body IS"
"Then they must be in pretty bad
shape" Doris commented tremu-
lously. "For surely he is physically
wreck" -
She shuddered, and her mothc-
put her arms about her and held
her close.
"Yes. Ruth-this poor child nas
been telling me of the awful ordeal
she underwent this morning. l
greatly fear the effect upon her OF
such experiences should be re.
peated. | hope Hugh's father will
understand that she Is not over
robust and will not insist that sh"
see the invalid very often Just now
As he gets st onger, ana mora
normal, she may go to him trc
uuently. But now once week
should be often enough
Ruth tried to answer with the
respect due her parent.
Mother, l think you hardly un-
derstand the situation. Plainly. "
Is this: Hugh loves Doris. He feels
that she Is all he has to live fol-"
Ma .ura,ly he does. Yet he has
his father and his sister"
"Yes-but when n man ls In love
his family do not count Ruth re-
Joined without any idea of sarcasm
And Hugh is the type OF man VINO
cares very deeply. 1t was the
thought of Doris that made II pos
sible for him to bear the long jour
ney home. II is the thought of her
that kcops him from despair at the
prospect of his blindn 50. He lives
on the hope of seeing her every
day.
In the Balance.
Mrs. Courtney was silent for a
moment. She was tn mixing fast.
II Hugh was going to be bind
and an Invalid. she did not want
her daughter to marry him. On
the other hand. II he were to be
again as he once was. he was Just
the man to make an exec Tent hus-
band. His family moved In the
best society, he was an only son;
he would some day succeed to his
fathers prosperous business. Yet
at present
She looked at Doris. The girl
tried to smile.
Don't worry. dear mother" with
an effort to appear brave The