Evening star., 1923-08-19

you-as yet"
"How long before we can get
away from here?' Ben inquired
coldly.
The doctor smiled and shrugged.
THAT I can't say-positively. A
week. Ten days. II you are careful.
And run no risks. Stay quiet. Eat.
Keep up your resistance. Above all,
rest
but my fever is almost gone now"
Ben held out doggedly.
Get up and go around a bit. and
see how soon it comes back on you,"
the doctor advised blandiy.
Lois turned great. imploring eyes
on him.
How soon do you think can get
up. Doctor?"
"Oh, in a day or so--if you behave
nicely" DR.. Weinbrich made CHEEKY
answer.
CILENCE descended upon the un-
~ happy inmates Of that rose
wreather boudoir after the doctors
departure. 1t had been a long night
1t was a longer day, broken only by
a luncheon OF soup and poached eggs
for two, which reduced the exchequer
by s4.75.
Never mind said Ben, to Lois
Mortified protests. We've got to eat
to get well-and we've got to get
well before we can move out of here"
But, Ben. it couldn't possibly cost
one-fourthI Of that?"
We're paying for the gold braid
around the walters neck and the
polish on his fingernails," said Ben,
with hollow mirth.
They INDUCED in a weak cackle Of
mutual laughter. Across the inter-
vening gulf they even looked at each
other with a species OF kindness.
Comrades In unbelievable misfortune
Applauders of each others jokes.
1t was, however, an extraordinary
honeymoon. as has been said before.
Upon the third day Ben was al
lowed by the doctor to get up and
sit about the room in a bathrobe and
slippers. He managed to shave as
we'll and present something OF his
old gallant good looks On the fourth
day Ben advanced to a stroll in the
lobby. on the fifth he went out TO
| look at the town-and Lois still tied
to her bed!
She got up while he was gone, tot
tered feebly to the mirror and looked
at herself-a sight that drew a deli
cate yelp Of agony.
She locked herself into the bath
| room with her shining new dressing
bag. Half an hour later she came
forth. weak and spent, but with soft,
smooth hair ripping about the shoul-
ders Of a delicate orchid nightgown,
with a faint rose flush and softly
pink mouth, making OF the violet
] shadowed eyes not desolation, but
I fragility merely.
II may have more temperature for
this, but i can't help it," she sighed
| to herself as she crept back into bed,
| dragging with her two coquettish lit
| tie lace pillows which had been part
| Of her trousseau. "If I'm going to die,
I'd like Ben to remember me with
regret, anyhow
Ben, opening the door upon her
some little time later, stopped word
less, and stared He carried a florists
box under one arm; a smaller pack
age protruded from his coat pocket.
He seemed distinctly weary, but
| palely exultant.
"Why-why, Lois" he stammered.
Gosh, you look beautiful. What's
| happened to your"
"Just a, little powder and paint, old
dear!" said Lois with weak-kneed
| sauciness. Whats in the box?
Something for me?"
Roses" said Ben simply. He came
and sat on the side Of her bed, cut
the string and lifted off the cover.
| A draft of fragrance came up from
| the loveliness of pale petals under
| lacy fern. 'And a new perfume 81
| went on the returned prodigal
proudly, ''called something d'amour,
that smelled exactly like YOU" He
| opened the smaller package, handed
out a slim, exquisite bottle lettered
| in gray and gold "And-this is the
big thrill-we're going to have a
party tonight-candles on the table
| and flowers and everything"
ssDEN," said Lois suddenly-she
ID felt a warm little tremor of
happiness steal over her as she lay
there looking at his smooth dark
head, his keen, pleasant gray eyes,
| the set Of his shoulders, the Quixzical
| twist Of his smile: 1t seemed queer.
! but somehow rather wonderful to