The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-21
Hearts Desire
By MARY BELL

youngster as( he helped Joan carry the packages inab the house. Later in the evening itno the house.
 Later in the evening when Joan en- tered his loom, Sonny seemed to be breathing rather heavily 80 when she went downstairs she called Rosanna to find out if there had been any ac- cidents during the day. Rosanna as- sured her that so far as she knew the boy had had no misadventure. With the hope that Sonny would all right in the morning Joan retired to her room. She felt somewhat uneasy about her charge, and entering his room once more she found him tumbling restlessly about in his bed.
 'Rosanna,' she called softly.
 "Yes, Miss Joan," came the answer.
 Please come and look at Sonny. He seems to be breathing in a strange sort of way" said Joan anxiously.
 Sounds to me as though he'd got cold" declared Rosanna as she bent over the little figure, 'but I don't see how he managed that for I saw him off and on all day long. It beats all the way that children do, only there's one thing-if they sicken quickly, they get better just as quick so don't you be afthrer worrying"
 T think I'd better bring my couch in here and spend the night beside him. said Joan.
 Well, Miss Joan, I don't really thing it's necessary, but if you'd feel better. shure I'll help you fix it," an- swered Rosanna.
 There was little sleep for Joan that night. Sonny tossed unceasingly and oc- casionally low groan disturbed the stiffness of the night. Morning came and as he seemed more feverish Joan decided he should stay in bed. She knew that questionings as to his doings would only excite him further so she centered her attention on trying to fight his cold. Taking his tempera- ture she found that it was a little above normal. Towards evening he seemed to grow worse and calling Ros- anna she asked her to phone for the doctor.
 Dr. Lang arrived and after looking at the little patient left some medicine with Joan which he told her would likely improve his condition in a few hours. The long silent night passed, but when morning came Joan realized that the boy was far from well.
 "Rosanna," she whispered as the old lrishwoman entered the room, i've must get the doctor again. Sonny does not seem to respond to the medicine all though I gave him it just as Dr. Lang directed"
 "All right, my dear" answered Ros- anna who now realized that Sonny was pretty sick boy. "I'l call him at once."
 There is the possibility of pneu- monia," announced Dr. Lang after ex- aming the little patient. Don't be alarmed, Miss Fairweather, for I'm sure with careful nursing you'll pull him through all right"
 Despite his assurance Joan was filled with terror. Sonny was the light of his fathers eyes. Then. like a flash, came the memory that his mother had died of neumonia. She must send for Rupert, yet she did not wish to alarm him unduly for he was a two. days journey from home and at men, tion of that dread word he would i'm mediately be filled with despair.
 Returning to the little boys bed side she smoothed his rumpled pillows and gently wiped his fever-parched lips. There was little change in his condition, but when the doctor came in the afternoon he assured her that he was as well as could be expected. The phone rang and presently Rosan- na told Joan that Rupert was on his way home.
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