The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-08-26
ais Your Husband Livins7"

am aITalu pASACd Pe1SS 1AAS I'LL sc
rather abruptly as entered the room
of the wounded officer who had been
asking for me. Twice within the last
| two or three minutes had heard a bit
of attempted humor concerning the
dependence OF the young officer upon
nv visits. 1 could not resent Liilian's
little speech. but it was different
matter with the nurse. A GOODNESS
which was entirely foreign to my usual
manner toward her crept into my
voice and demeanor almost without
my volition.
'rYou sent for me-" I could not help
the curt reminder. Is there anything
especial you wish me to do?''
She was quick to take the cue.
could not help but admire the way her
head went up, the quickly yelled
CLEAN of resentment in her eyes, al
though there was no trace of anything
but professional calmness in her voice
as she replied:
"ForsiVe Me-"
Nothing at all, thank you, save talk
to my patient and listen to him.
should never have presumed to call
you save for the fact that he was re-
peatedIy asking for you"
Her manner was perfect. 1t put me
! at q disadvantage at once. was
practically certain that she had been
making a convenience of me; that
many times she could have managed
her difficult patient without calling
upon me for the assistance she had
asked so often during the days since
the young officer had brought me to
the hospital But her little speech
not only provided an indisputable an
swer to my suspicion, but subtly gave
me to understand that she had read
! my doubts OF her.
I took refuge uDworthily in a faint
shrug of my shoulders-of which was
ashamed the next moment-and, turn
ing, walked steadily toward the bed
upon which the young officer was
living, or, rather, half-sithng, for pill
lows were propped all around him.
He was gazing intently at me, and
his ewes seemed fairly to burn into
mine as I held out my hand and his
uninjured one clasped it tightly.
81 thought you would never get
here" he said, and there was feVerish
impatience in his manner.
came DIS SSO1 dS COANI
turned, gently.
81 know-of course" he muttered
half apologetically-then with a fresn
burst of impotence he fairly shouted
at me:
Tell me quickly, did you ever get
that dog?"
He had but just thought Of Pete!
saw that in an instant, saw also that
from he moment he had remembered
that the poor brute had been lett-as
be sunnosed-shut up in shed at the
deserted inn, he had been suffering
fortunes for having forgotten Tie
faithful animal. rr,,,
thanked my stars that William
had lust brought me news of PETE
FASTENED to quiet his nervous fears'
"pete ia all right" said quickly.
'Vrhank goodness" he CALCULATED
tervently, then with the inevitable
anick suspicion of the sick, You're
not saving that just to make me 1eel
better. are you? How do you Kno"
he's all right?" .,
"what nonsense" I retorted. an
.vverirq his first question, and 5udg-
ing that treating 1t with levity wouio
Ia hest, IT don't tell fibs, sir IL you
please" I gave him little mocK.nS
nod. And I know he IS all right pc
cause our man-of-work just came
from home and said that PETE naa
come home. He had been nuF'' ou'
would soon be all right again"
There was no Ievity in the burning
ewes that looked up into mine
.cForgive me for my rudeness'" ne
said, piteously. But was SO anxious
about the dog"
you were not rude in the least"
assured him. Indeed. if anybody was
guilty in that direction, 1t was l. But
suppose we forget ali about rudeness
and Pete and talk about something
else. Would you like me to read 10
you?" .4,..
He looked at me gravely, intently'
for long minute.
Not today, he said at last. Il want
YOU to talk to me, to tell me about
yourself"
The simple statement confused me
unexpectedly. To hide my embar-
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