The Washington herald., 1921-03-18
Ixna TURN ron THE WORSE

LIxna TURN FOR THE WORSE.
MornIng brought a change for
he worse In Fleurette's condition.
DR.. Langweu Joined his wife. and
Nancy at breakfast. wearing q
grave face
she passed a bad night" he said
in Hfwer to Edith's question Il
don't like the looks of things this
morning. OF course. one has to
disconst the effect of the shock and
all that. but
He shrugged and attacked his
grapefruit.
Nancy murmured her sympathy.
but Edith went on with her break
fast with lowered eyes.
4 The deuce of IL Is that I've got
TO be In town all day. I've two op-
esations and several important APP
pointnnents at my ofiice. But I
don't ike to leave her without at
tention-"
-of course. you'll send out a
nurse" said Edith "And why
couldn't DR.. Tilden come out to see
herr
Me- he objected quickly. mo.
that the case has been thrust upon
me, Besides Tildsn's busy, too"
Edith made no reply.
Bur I'll send a nurse Perhaps
I'd better telephone the hospital
now
He threw down his serviette and
rose
Blythe way" he paused halfway
to the telephone. 'it will be several
hours before the nurse arrives, even
II she leaves at once. / wish you'd
keep an eye on the patient this
morning. Nancy. NEdith's maid has
no wits to use in an emergency"
III look after Fleurette." put in
Edithsquietly.
The doctor came back to his
wife's chair and laid his hand ca
ressingly on her shoulder.
Nancy noted her quick flush un-
der -ths unusual caress and the
movement she made as IL to draw
= away from his hand.
You'll do no such thing. Edith.
he declared, peremptorily. I'll not
have you making q martyr Of your
self for this dressmaker Of yours.
You can't stand the atmosphere of
a sick-room. and ! want you to
promise me to stay out of the house
all morning. Go for q brisk walk
along the lake You're looking like
ghost. I'll bet you didn't sleep a
wink.
~Ysss do. Edie," urged Nancy
Go out and walk in this heavenly
sunshine. IN gladly play nurse for
poor F1eurette."
She told herself that she well
comednthe opportunity as a chance
for little helpfulness. but she knew
in her heart of hearts that she was
desirous Of again seeing the injured
girl who was the center of the mys-
terry concerning Gerry and the $500
cheque.
that u she merely sat and stared al
the -semi-conscious girl, she might
somehow pluck a chance clue from
the others subconscious mind.
Good .girlY' approved the doctor
Il know I can count on you.l Why
not come into town with me. Edith p
he suggested suddenly The ride
will do you as much good as the
walk. s5fll find time to lunch with
you somewhere. and well ride out
again this evening"
Edith stared at him so incredu-
ously that Nancy looked away with
sudden blurred eyes
IL was so palpxbiy. heart-break.
inglys evident that Edith rarely re-
ceivedr-such Invitations from he,
husband
"A splendid Bea,- Nancy cried
TN preside in your absence, ant
you needn't give a thought to Ioi-
ter Loag'"
Edith agreed to the plan in &
rather sdazed fashion. She acted a.
one swept OF her feet
You're clever all right" Nanc,
whispered to the doctor as sh,
passed him on her way up to tn
sick-room. You don't want Edit
around in case Fleurette talks, chr
He regarded her coolly, a bit ar.
rogantly.
IF she talks, you want to for
get everything that's said" he an
svered- significantly. Get mer'