Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-06-26
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- FINI
BY Idah McGlone Gibson


As John Davis sat waiting for
Doris Glendentng-she was dress
ing to accompany him to the hos
pftal where her husband was ly-
ing between life and death-the
telephone rang. Being the only
person near he took up the re-
ceiyer.
"Is Mr.. Davis there?"
YES" he answered eagerly.
This is Davis. Jim," for he rec
ognized Clavering's voice. "Is
Harry conscious YETI" he asked
eagerly. You called the turn, old
man. Doris blames 1t all on her
self and is preparing to go and
see him. am expecting her any
minute.
Don't let her come, Dave. She
can do no good and the sight
would only hurt her."
What do you mean? Glenden-
ing was shot in the lungs, was
he not? He isn't disfigured, is
he?"
"No, but he has come out of
the coma and is delirious. 1t is
very hard to keep him in bed. He
talks incessantly, continually call
ing for Margaret Earle.
Right now, while 1 am talking
to you, hear his high-strained
voice saying:
Don't leave me, Margaret. /
have never loved anyone but you.
Dear, could never be anything
without you. Don't leave me
don't leave me-
"He repeats this over and over
in the most imploring, heart
breaking voice you have ever
heard, Dave. That's the reason
Doris shouldn't come"
''If you are not careful, jim"
said Davis from his end of the
wire, "some smart reporter will
listen in on this and bring Mar
garet's name into the mess"
THAT is what 1 am very much
afraid Of One of the nurses asked
me a little while ago If Margaret
was Harry's wife. 1 had to tell her
1t was not"
what did she say to that?"
asked Davis excitedly.
Nothing. She, like every other
woman, has become very much
interested in Harry Even when
he is out Of his head he makes
a greater appeal to most women
than a sane man would.
"But l called you up to tell you
Dave, that have just had a phone
from Milt. Like a fool I let out
the fact that Harry was calling
for Margaret to come to him
From what l could gather from my
end of the wire, Milt went up in
the air. He insisted that he was
coming right over to see Harry.
He says there is no reason for
him to be delirious If the doctors
have diagnosed his case correctly.
He thinks Harry must have hurt
his head when he fell.
81 wonder if 1 told you that
here is a slight bruise near the
base of his brain. Milt says that |
he doctors must know that a |
prolonged delirium would not fol-
ow a wounded lung. / am wait
ng for Milt now.
please keep Doris away until
Milton has been here and given
ais opinion on Harry's condition"
"All right, Jim, I'll do my best,
,ut you never can tell what a wo-
nan will do in case like this.
Then he hung up.
what woman and what case?"
lsked Doris Glendening as she
the room. What is the
natter? Harry!" she exclaimed.
He's not worse, Is he? oh, John,
10 not tell me my husband is
lead" and she gasped Davis's arm
onvulsively.
"No, Doris, Harry is still alive,
'ut of course you have known
rom the first that his life hangs
" thread. 1 have just had a
elephone message from the hospi-
al telling me that no one, not
ven you, Doris, may see him
light now.
''Dr. Milton, at Jim Clavering's
is going to look Harry
yer. They are afraid of compli-
ations.
Although Milton was badly
urned at the fire last night he
J getting up from his bed against
he advice of nurses and doctors,
nd going over to see Harry. At
east until after that visit you
lust possess your soul in pa
ence."
But, John, don't you think
nat 1t would help if he knew that
did not mean it when l told him
nat would never live with him
gain? Perhaps If he knew
ad forgiven him and was ready
, begin over again it would make ,
i'm want to live. You know, ,.
anting to live has a great deal ;
} do with ones living"
That's just it. my dear Doris.
our presence would only excite /,