The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-08-09
Delia's
Affection
By LAURA MONTGOMERY
sx:x*x*X*x: x*x*x*X:x*x:x.;
q. 1922, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

cornplacency In her voice, I've been
bedridden for twelve years"
The guest, wife Of the new doctor
IN the little village, looked puzzled
But what is your trOuble!' She asked,
plancing around the speckless, sunny
room with its Towering plants, each
not dressed in shiny white paper and
tied with ribbon.
Della essayed feeble smile. I'm
great sufferer" she acknowledged.
"but have learned to be patient.
hear my crOss-and-" she looked up
at the clock that had evidently been
brought in from the parlor, gay af-
fair under glass cover. and with an
impatient gesture struck smartiy the
bell beside her-"Ruth does not mean
to be neglectful," she said with an
air of patience, "but-"
A girl Of thirty years of age hurried
into the room, apprehension on her
face. Nothing wrong, Delia?" she
cried.
"Of course 1t doesn't make any diff
ference, but it's time for my warm
Is, ,.
Excitement makes me faint and |
never like to dwell on my past"
Ruth pinkened and glanced mean
ingly at the guest. won't you come
out with me while get her mlk?' she
said. "She will perhaps nap bit
now"
Jane Morrow, a queer look in her
ELL ;,l
was tall and very thin. She looked as
though her youth had been such a
depressed affair that 1t had been will
ingly relinguished and that she had
slipped beyond the borders of girl
hood almost thankful that so much Of
life had been traversed. The room be-
yond vas at the north of the house
and was very barely furnished. None
Of the pleasant little luXuries SO much
in evidence in the invalids room were
visible here.
Your sister tires very easily" re
marked Mrs. Morrow.
Ruth, beating up eggs in glass
of rich milk, nodded. Yes. she likes
to talk about her symptoms, but if
any one asks her questions she gets
impatient. 1t is very hard ON her.
She has no one but me-"
"Then," said Mrs. Morrow with n
keen glance at the weary face, you
have no one but her. Why don't you
pity yOurse.fT'
Ruth looked amused. II have moth
Ing to be pitied for. ara very
strong. II worries me to have to
leave Della while go to teach, but
the schoolhOuse is very near. half Il
block, and still'-her eyes filled with
dread-"I am always afraid of fire.
I'm sure could get back here in two
minutes, I've timed myself. but"
mo reason why she couldn't step
out of bed. is there? Anything wrong
with her feet? Lame?''
NO" said Ruth. rather surprised
at the newcomers bluntness, but the
exposure would probably kill her.
School Is only five days week.
though, SO Saturday and Sunday
am free to look after her properly"
who takes care Of her when you
are out with the young people?" asked
the DOCTORS wife.
= wouldn't leave her just for pleas
ure. You see. l know all her ways and
no one else can please her. Why. If
there Is even a tiny speck of dust on
her floor she detects it."
I'D better have doctor stop I'm and
see her. I've no doubt he'll get her
mp In no time" tegan Mrs. Morrow
briskly. but there was a call from the
front room.
Git rid Of that woman" command
ed the invalid. her black eyes snip
ping. How can I rest with such a
clatter? Don't let her send her hus-
band. ] don't want strange eyes on
me-"
Thoughtfully the doctors wife CON
uhued her round Of calls. She heard
good deal about Delia's wonderful
patience and sweetness under her af-
hiction, hut Of Ruth's tireless devo-
tion no one had much to say: that
vs. no one saw anything unusual In 1t
save Ed Black. who had told Mrs.
MORROW about the years of waiting.
lie had bOughtsnd furnished cottage
Tor Ruth. who had planned to take
me invalid with them after their mar
rage and they had intended to sell
the cottage belonging TO the sisters sn
NAT Della could have the money for
herself. that she might never feel in
'he slightest degree dependent When
uie invalid was informed of the plans,
however, she grew greatly excited and
went into Mysteries. She refused alb
"In'eiy to leave her home or tn allow
10 Black to make one of the family.
she seemed Mortified at Ruths sell
nS''hess In contemplating marriage.
She said she could not las, more than
year at most and surely Ruth
couid put off her marriage that long.
And all that happened" reflected
Mrs' Morrow. mine years ago. Ruth
was twenty-one years old then. Now
shes thirty and Old Della is good for
twenty years yet. She looks healthier
Inc next day Ruth was obliged to
'ahe one of her pipils home. The child
"Neo TWO miles out in the country
IL bI