New Britain herald., 1923-09-24
What sIsass Did 10 HELP Dieky
Helm Himself

u needed no great degree Of siihs
feminine intuition or masculine loEil
for me % see that for some Feasol
Dieky did not sish me 20 examine to'
closely the handage which proieete'
the sound en- his head, ana the ter
Fihsd anxiety which I had felt fer hin
began 10 be iinsed with . vague sus
pieieA that there was something aueel
about the accident which he had suf
feFed,
Al any rate, ! told myself, he va,
not 50 badly injured as 10 preclude
his heing decidedly cross, and re-
memhered with much comfort an
eld.fashiensd saying. when they're
ugly they're in no danger"
But with a craft OF which ! wal
Ashamed, YET which seemed % have
taken possession OF me, willy nilly
] resolved that IN some way ! would
get a look AZ the handages which
Dieky seemed 30 anxious 10 keep
from my observation.
II was. therefore. in the most cas-
uai manner that ! Strengthened from
my stopping posture. and said quiet
iy:
Yes. suppose II would hurt less
n you attended II II, yourself N you
can spare me. I'll slip out 20 the
kitchen and prepare sterilized solu-
tion with which you can wash the
cut"
For Petes sake" Dicky growled.
''don't begin any OF that Imitation
trained nurse dope Water from the
tap will be plenty good enough for
me when feel NJ enough TO attend
70 H."
Madge Is Diplomatic
His, tone and words would have
completely discouraged anyone not
used to him. But the remembrance
of other sick-room experiences with
my husband taught me that not only
would ne use the things I had pre-
pared, but that he would be decided
ly disappointed and disagreeable II
did not prepare them.
''All right" said soothingly. But
I'll get basin and cloths ready be-
fore go/back TO bed"
4
knew that had set him TO wonder
ing whether | really meant to leave
him alone. ! wasted no time in any
further words, but slipped out to the
kitchen and prepared The solution,
putting II in large covered dish
which kept. l carried 1t to the
bathroom, and sat II on the tiny
table; beside basin. and laid near
by bandaees, gauze and scissors.
While In the kitchen. had
snatched the opportunity to set a pot
of coffee of extra strength over the
fire. and by the time I had arranged
the table In the bathroom for Dicky's
use. | knew from the aroma which
floated through ting halls that it was
ready. Hurrying back to the kitchen,
! prepared a cup as Dicky best liked
It, and carried 1t into the front room.
"Let Ne Play Valet"
He was lying as ] had left him,
but his eyes we're wide open, and he
was staring at the wall opposite him.
pronounced his name twice before
he turned his eyes toward me. and
even then had queer little feeling
that he did not see me, that instead |
here was something else which his
brain was visioning.
And then, with little start, the |
i'd visioning look left his face, and /
his eyes turned to mine with some I
hing in them which set me to specu-
ating nnorbidly. For 1t was almost
EN- orseful look which his eyes held, |
md while his general grouchiness
night have called for apology, there
vas no occasion that I knew for any
hing stronger.
"Oh. coffee - he said in such
brightly fashion that my suspicious
eepened. Such nonchalant glibness
aust have taken distinct effort with
he pain which he was patiently suf-
ering. Now you're talking That
or me -
He raised himself on his elbow
18th an attempt at jauntness which ;
nded In an involuntary little groan {
tut / had set down the coffee upon
convenient chair, and my arm
'ent round him Just in time to pre-
ent his sinking back again.
Let me play valet" ! coaxed and {
saching for the coffee, | held 1t to t