The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1922-11-25
A COINCIDENCE
BY MOLllE MATHER
251S1h1525252S152S2S152SoS25151
(l, 1922, Western Newspaper Union }

"Angel-one," said Billy, you are not
real nurse, are your
The young woman paused in meas
uring medicine.
Dear" she asked, troubled, "have
failed in my care Of you?"
"Failed," jeered the girl, why, you
have done for me all that doting
mother could do for an only child"
Billy's hand reached out to clasp
that Of her nurse.
You have just been little brick, !
know that. And If dads money should
evaporate know that l would try to
make good too, in one way or another.
But what puzzles me, doll-lady, Is
where were your lovers when you left
home to make your fortune. Oh, don't
deny that there were lovers-you are
SO altogether lOvable."
"There were men Of course" the lit
tie nurse began. First my college
companions; later, the ones that one
meets socially. But it remained for
me to meet the real man, at one Of
Mrs. Sanderson's weekend parties. He
was my long-dreamed-of ideal. This
man." went on Silvia, was big, and
kind, and understanding"
''And rich?" put in Billy. The nurse
shook her head.
'That was aunt's and fathers OBJ
lection to him. He had no money but
that which he was striving for in his
new profession. Mrs. Sanderson Is
my aunt, and she and father consti-
tuted my family. Aunt plainly discour-
aged Jim Dacres' attentions where ]
was concerned"
Billy gazed sympathetically into the
reminiscent blue eyes of her adored
nurse. 80 he never knew that you
cared!" she asked dismayed.
"He knew at last" Silvia confessed.
''That is rpy humiliation. For he did
not care enough to-even keep my
friendship. But with all my other
fair weather friends he allowed me to
pass from his life. You see, l had
reason to think that he loved me very
dearly, for returning one evening
earlier than expected from drive
with Aunt Sanderson I hesitated In
the hall, undecided whether to go on
up the stair or to spend some time on
| the veranda, and as stood Jim's voice
came to me, he was speaking to some
one in the library. y
"If I might have only a sign thai
Silvia cares for me-" he said, Il would
carry her off before them all. What
right has a socially ambitious old
aunt or a mercenary father to XIII
girls chance for happiness? I will not
always be poor. How could work and
achieve for Silvia !"
It was John Tabor who answered.
Jim's closest friend.
"Silvia at least misses you when you
are not here" he said. '"Thats ell
couraging. The little Chaser twins
miss you too" he added, laughingly.
II intended to stop over only one
day, but Mr.. Dacre, 1 knew, would
not be informed Of this. All that day
of my coming he was off on hunting
trip. In the chill fall evening they sat
about the living room fire. l was not
privileged to be near Jim In the nre-
side group. Across its light l felt his
ewes on my face and presently l
thought of way-a school-girllsh ro-
mantle way-but 1 was so fearful OF
having to go without leaving my mes
sage. On scrap of paper l wrote:
"I am leaving tomorrow. 1t may be
some time before we Shall meet again.
Must 1 90 without saying good-byT
"Simply 1 signed my initial, s. and
passing Jim's chair slipped my note
into his wide hunting coat pocket.
Its whiteness was plainly visible.
II left my aunt's home, the following
morning" finished Silvia, land neither
saw nor heard from Jim Dacre. Nor
have heard In any way from him
since. The ending of my love tale is
not pleasing Billy. dear"
A maid entering the patients room
left a packet Of letters. mail for you,
Miss Wilhelmina," she announced The
nurse brought the letters to the bed
side.
"Shall l read them as usual?' she
asked composedly.
"Please," requested Billy. land get
that blue letter over first. / recognize
the handwriting Of past time school
friend. She tells always much OF no
consequence. Silvia read.
"And Continued the effusion) we
never ses that handsome Jim Dacre
when we go for week-ends to old lady
Sanderson's. Did / ever, tell you,
Rilly. how some time ago he got an
idea that either Sue or had placed
farewell note In his pocket? We hap
pened to be leaving for home next
morning as we had arrived at the
wrong time for old Sanderson's con-
venience. Mr.. Dacre returned the note
TO Sue with the sarcastic remark that
he would say good-by now.' And she
brought it to me. She might nave
known that would not have pre-
sumed to joke with that heart-smitten
man. BY the way, wonder what be-
came of that niece Of Mrs Sanderson's
that he had such crush on. Well,
good-by, Billy. I'll see you soon. Sal
lie Chaser"
eBillyv' exclaimed Silvia Flemming,
"you too, know these people, Aunt
Sanderson. the Glasser twins, and"
'Yes. and Jim Dacre," finished
Billy. "Give me my writing PAD,
nlease. | am going to remind him to
call upon a sick young friend. An in
valid has privileges. Do not look SO