Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-03
murmured Della, a trace of

L complacency In her voice. NV
been bcdridden for twelve years" e..
The guest. wife Of the new doctol
in the little village. looked puzzled
'But what is your trouble?" she asked
glancing around the speckless, sunny
room with its Towering plants, each
pot dressed in shiny white paper and
tied with ribbon.
Della essayed feeble smile. .'1'm
a great sufferer" she acknowledged,
'but have learned to be patient.
bear my cross--and--" she looked up
at the clock that had evidently been
brought in from the parlor. q gay affair
! under glass cover, and with an impa.
tient gesture struck smartly the bell
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
milk" murmured Della quite weakly.
Excitement makes me faint and I
never like. to dwell on my past
Ruth pinkened and glanced meaning.
ly at the guest. won't you come out
with me while ! get her milk?" she
said. "She will perhaps nap n bit
now
Jane Morrow, a. queer look in her
observant eyes,. followed the girl. Ruth
though her youth had been such Il de-
pressed affair that it had been willingly
irelinquished and that she had slipped
beyond the borders Of girlhood almost
thankful that 80 much Of life had been
traversed. The room beyond was at the
north of the house and was very barely
furnished. None Of the pleasant little
luxuries SO much in evidence in the in.
valid $ room were visible here.
Your sister tires very easily re.
marked Mrs. Morrow.
Ruth, beating up eggs in a glass
Of rich milk, nodded. "Yes. she likes
to talk about her symptoms. but IL
any one asks her questions she gets
impatient. 1t is very hard on her.
She has no one but Inc"
"Then.' said Mrs. Morrow with u
keen glance at the weary face. ''you
have no one but her. Why don't you
pity yourself!'
Ruth looked amused. IT have
nothing to be pitied for. am very
strong. 1t worries me to have to
leave Della while l go to teach. but the
schoolhouse is very near, half a block,
and still'-her eyes filled with dread
II am always afraid Of fire. I'm
sure I could get back here in two
minutes. I've timed myself. but"
''No 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.
81 wouldn't leave her just for pleas.
ure: You see. ] know all her ways and
no one else can please her. Why. if
there is even, tiny speck of dust on
her floor she detects it,
I'D better have doctor stop in and
up in no time" began Mrs. Morrow
briskly. but there was a call from the
front room.
Cit rid of that woman" commanded
the invalid. her black eyes swapping.
"How can l rest with such a clatter?
Don't let her send her husband. l
don, t want strange eyes on me-
ThOughtfully the Doctors wife con.
tinued her round Of calls. She heard
n good deal about Delia's wonderful
patience and sweetness under her af.
Fiction, but of Ruth's tireless devo-
ton no one had much to say: that is,
no one saw anything unusual in it save
Ed Black, who had told Mrs. Morrow
nbout the years Of waiting. He had
bought and furnished cottage for
Ruth, who had planned to take the
invalid with them after their marriage,