The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-24
Sisters
BY
KATHLEEN
NORRIS
CHAPTER Xxx.

the picture puzzle! he WOuiu Ike
just to talk2 Very well; they would
talk.
Martins day was so filed and
divided with small pleasures that it
was apt to amaze him by passing too
quickly. He had special breakfasts,
he had his paper, his hair was brushed
and his bed remade q dozen times a
day. Cherry shared her mail, which
was always heavy now. with him; she
fitted into the sick-room every few
minutes with small messages or gifts.
With her bare, bright head, her busy
white hands, her voice all motherly
amusement and sympathy and sweet
ness. she had never seemed so much
a wife. She had the pIeasantest laugh
IN the world, and she often laughed
The sick-room was kept with exquisite
simplicity, with such freshness, bare
ness. and order as made it a place of
delight. One day Cherry brought home
a great Vikory bowl of silvery glass.
and a dozen drifting goldfish. and Mar
tin never tired of watching them idly
while he listened to her reading.
Cherry" Peter said. on a wet Janu-
airy day, when he came upon her In the
dining room. contentedly arranging a
fragrant mass of wet vioIets, 81 think
Martins out of the woods now. be-
lieve I'll he moving alongp'
''Oh. but we want you always, Pc
terr she said. innocently regretfuI.
The ghost Of a panied smile fitted
across his face.
"Thank you" ne said, gently. But
| think | will go" he added, mildly.
She made no further protest.
''But where?" she asked. sympa-
thetically.
81 don't know. / shall take Buck
start off toward the big mountains.
Pll write you now and then, of course
I'm going home, first -
Just now" Cherry unused, sadly,
perhaps ii is best-for you-to get
awayI Now that Martin is so much
better" she added, in little burst. 81
do feel so sorry for you, Peterl l
know how you feel. l shall miss her
always. of course" said Cherry, "but
I have him."
81 try not to think of her." Peter
said, fiinging up his head.
''when you do" Cherry said, earn
estly, giving him more of her attention
than had been usual, of late, Here Is
something to think, Peter. It's this
we have so much to be thankful for
haa ch1 -lznnxu IF WQG
Madness" Cherry went on, eagerly
"sheer madness-that Is clear now.
don't try to explain it, because it's all
been washed away by the frightful
thing that happened. I'm different
now; you're different don't know
how we ever thought we could"
There was a silence during which
she looked at him anxiously, but the
expression on his face did not alter
and he did not speak.
''And what l think we ought to be
thankful for" she resumed, is thai
Alix would rather-she would rather
have it this way. She told me that
she would be heart-broken If there had
been any actual separation between
me and Martin, and how much worse
that would have been-what we
planned, / mean. She was spared
that, and We were spared see Il
now-what would have ruined both oul
lives. We were brought to our senses
and the awakening only came a little
sooner than 1t would have come any
wayl"
Peter had walked to the window
and was looking out at the shabb!
winter trees that were dripping rain
and at the beaten garden, where tbs
drenched chrysanthemums had beer
bowed to the soaked earth.
''Here, In Dads home," Cherry said
coming to stand beside him, Il SCI
another. twenty-four hours 1t woul'
have been too late-you don't know
how often / wake up in the night an'
shiver, thinking thatl And as it ID
I am here In the dear old house; ant
Martin-well, you can see that evel
Martins life Is going to be far happie
than it ever waSi It's such a joy Z
me-" she added, with the radiant lool
she often wore when her husband
comfort was under consideration, st
feel that we need never worry a6ou
the money end Of things-there'
enough for what we need forever ~
You must never worry about NOR
ey," he told her. And il ever 20
need tiff 1t is a question of a Ion
trip, or of more operations-if there
any chance"
81 shall remember that I have q bi
brother % she said.
The room was scented by the swee