Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-08
CHAPTER XII

DETER came in to dinner looking white
r. and shaken. A1thea saw and almost
without voition said:
"You are very tired?"
Eyes," he passed his hand over his eyes.
Il operated on little Doris this aftern2on-
must hurry to her as we finish
dinner ~
Cant you rest awhile frst?" the words
seemed to force themselves from her lips
His white face, his tired eyes held world
of anxiety.
No, he replied shortly, the child is very
though the operation was, I believe, success
ful and if she lives she will walk"
A1thea made no comment She was not
hard-hearted but this girl, this child about
whom Peter showed such anxiety, was Mabel
Towards sster-the sister of the girl she
had overheard tell Peter she loved him. She
could not be expected to for anything
that even touched girl like that.
Il scarcely know what arrangements
can make" Peter went on, more to himself
than to her L am very busy now, there is
a great deal of Sickness and 1 should like
to keep the child under constant observation
for time. She's patient, lovable little
thing.
Still Althea said nothing, showed no slight
est interest
With scarcely suppressed sigh Peter
arose and went to his office. Althea, listen
ing, as she always did when he was in the
house, heard the honk-honk of motor car.
then the bell. Quietly she opened the door
on to the landing and standing in shadow
saw Peter open the door, Mrs. Williams enter
Peters surprise at seeing her was patent
and she said:
II came to talk to you about that little
crippled girl you told me of, your nurses sis
ter Did you operator"
"Yes-ths afternoon" Peter replied, lead
ing the way into his reception room but not
closing the door.
Althea crept half way down the stairs. The
hall was dimly lighted, and she would not
be seen, yet could hear-unless they closed
the door.
Eyes, I feel it was success Peter was
saying, "but the child is very delicate and
needs great care. she also needs to be kept
hapny-a hard thing in a busy hospital where
the nurses are all overworked because of the
unusual amount of Illness
81 wonder" Mrs. Williams hesitated. II
wonder if you would trust her with me? |
have the nursery-it never has been dis
turbed since Glen left me-you remember it
was made very sanitary for him, as much
so as the hospital rooms. | would get
special nurse and perhaps could do more for
her as far keeping her entertained and
happy than they could at the hospital.
How like you'll" Peter said. Then, mo,
Truth, I can't allow you to take so much
care and responsibility. You have enough
as it is"
The crouching Althea shivered as she
heard Peter say Ruth" Their intimacy
was even greater than she had thought. Yet
she had missed not word or implication
of Peters, BY her care and RESPONSE
bility' he must mean her husband. She
had other family-had unlimited wealth.
Don't you see, DR.. Graham, that 1T would
be a comfort to me? | should feel / was
doing something for Glen-even though he
is gone. Of course if you fear / am not
capable, that it would not be for the chllds
good, 1 shall say no more. But If you can
trust me-pease let me have her"
''It isn't a question of trust, Ruth, and
it would be wonderful for the child But
you're not strong. 1 can't let your kind
ness, your wish to help, make you ILL., I'm
also your physician you know"
Il know, Peter, and thank God for 1t.
But let me have her / promise not to
oyerdo, to be very careful"
"Ill think about it," Peter replied. at
will be several days, perhaps weeks, before
she could be moved with the greatest
care. But it would be ideal for the child
she must be very carefully tended and kept
cheerful"
"And you could see her more easily than
at the hospital. / am so much nearer and
her sister also could be with her moro
freely than in public institution"
"All you say, is true" Peter replied. II
see you have thought of everything. / must
go to her now"
"Ill drop you at the hospital" Mrs. Will
liams said, and Althea quickly slipped up to
the landing and watched them go out to-
gether.
peter and Ruth" she said as she re-
turned to her sitting room. II knew he
cared for her; has from the first time she
came to him. She shant have him! I'll
do anything to keep him from her.
Blindly jealous Althea forgot there was
hat a
wife.
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