Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-02-14

of. his convalescence Martin need not
necessarily suffer. -
Another day or two went by In the
silent, rain-wrapped house under the
trees; days of quiet footsteps and
whispering, and the lisping of wood
fires, Then Martin suddenly was con-
scious, knew his life, languldly smiled
at her, thanked the doctors for oc-
casional ease from pain.
"Peter-Tm sorry. It's terrible for
you-terrible he said in HIS new,
hoarse, gentle voice, when he first saw
Peter. They marveled among them
selves that he knew that Alix Was
gone. But to Cherry in one Of the
long hours that she spent sitting be-
side him and holding his big, weak,
strangely white hand, he explained
one day. 81 knew she was killed." he
said, out of silence. ~ thought We
both were!"
"How did she ever happen TO DO ltT
Cherry said. "She was always so sure
of hcrself-even when she drove fsEt T"
81 don't know" he answered. 1T
was all like fash, Of course! /
never watched her drive--I had such
confidence in her!" -
His interest dropped; she saw that
the tide of pain was slowly rising
again, and glanced at the "iock II
was two; he might not have relief
until s0ur. In his own eyes she saw
reflected the apprehension Of her own.
"You might ask Peter to play some
of that-that rambly stuff he was
playing yesterday" he suggested.
Cherry, only too happy to have him
want anything, to have him helped by
anything, flew to find Deter. Busy
with one of the trays that were really
beginning to interest and please the
invalid now, she told herself that the
house was q different place, now that
one nurse was gone, the doctors COM
ing only for brief calls, and the dear,
familiar sound of the old piano echo
Ing. through tHe TOOinS.
, Martin came from the fiery furnace
changed in soul and body. 1t was
thin, gentle, strangely patient man
who was propped in bed for his
Thanksgiving dinner, and whose pain
worn face turned with an appreciatiye
smile TO the decorations end the gifts
that made his room cheerful.
The heavy cloud lightened slowly
but steadily; Martin had long talk,
dreaded by Cherry from the first hours
of the accident, with his physicians.
He bore the ultimatum with unex-
pected fortitude.
"Let nae get this straight" he said
slowly. 1.-THE arm is o. 4. and the
leg, but the back"
Cherry. kneeling beside him, her
hands on his, drew a wincing breath.
Martin reassured her with an indui-
gent nod.
"I've known 1t right along" he told
her. He looked at the doctors. Its
no go?"
81 don't see why I should deceive
you, my dear boy" said the younger
doctor, who had grown very fond OF
him. "You can still beat me at bridge,
you know, you can read and write, and
come to the table, after awhile; you
have your devoted wife to keep finding
lew things for you to do! Next sum-
mer nova chair out in the garden"
Cherry was fearfully watching her
husbands face.
well all do what we can to make
it easy, Martr she whispered, In
tears.
He looked at her with whimsical
smile.
Mind very much taking care Of
helpless man all your life?" he asked,
with hint of his old confident man.
ner. .'
"Oh, Mart, mind only for you" she
said, Peter, standing behind the doc
tors. slipped from the room unnotlced.
Late that evening, when Martin was
asleep, Cherry came noiselessly from