Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-29
@ 1929
CENTRAL PaEsS ASSN INC

"Celeste-wlat has happened
o-e you ill?" V Wan started to raise
up in bed.
Non, madame-happee. All,
monsieur, it have taken you a long
time"
She means she is overcome with
JOY, Vivian. Celestc is a romanti-
cist."
Vivian reached over and gave the
little maid a Kiss on the pale, thin
cheek.
God Bless your heart, Celeste.
First you save my life, and then
you come weeping v e y loI-."
Celeste got up, the-, and Ter face
was pink.
Celeste understan' madame, be-
cause she so in love, perhaps"
They said in unison:
Its Zeek!"
Non" the curly head shock and
she closed her eyes tightly. Not
re man I 1--we. Guess again"
They were nonplussed. She had
a secret affair then. Celeste drop
ped her eyes and said it in a little
bashful voice:
My Kippy."
"Kippy!" Vivian almost sat up
in bed. Why I thought he was
a nasty grass skipper I thought
you didn't like him.
Celeste's face was %crestfallen.
"Ah, madame, Celeste are ashane.
I was SO mean tC my poor boy. Zen
in re hospital he see me almos'
every day and re beautiful lilies he
send, I love So"
Both wanted to laugh. But they
kept their faces straight with an
effort, and Vivian kissed her again
and Kent bowed grandly over her
hand. Kent inquired then
What is he doing, Celeste? I
haven't seen him since I haven't
been able to keep a chauffeur"
She drew herself up proudly.
at Salina he have a jobs. Some
of re days he own re firms. My
Kippy ees a smart mans-and so
strong"
It was too much for Kent. He
had to roar and Vivian sent him q
pleading look from her own dane
ing eyes. So, Kippy had decided
not to have a "l-zy mans jobs
and had followed in the footsteps
Of Geek Wales md become n ice
man. Lilies and ice. Women were
won in peculiar and sundry ways,
Kent decided, and grinned until
Vivian was ashamed of him.
They had to almost force Celeste
to go to bed. She wanted to stay
up until the nurse was back on
duty again.
You car trust me" Kent assured
her. If she goes into a fit after
all this excitement I'll call for you.
But she doesn't look to r as if
even a bunch of lilies or a cake
Of ice would have any effect On
her"
Celeste threw her head up pert
ly and grinned.
Go on. Razzberries me. See if
I cares. 90, la La"
A little later Vivian fell asleep
again, with her hand in Kent's-a
soft, tender smile on her pale lips.
He bent and kissed her and, re-
leasing his hand gnntly, turned out
the lights and sat in tie darkness
beside the window.
He was happier than he had Ger
been in his life Then ne re-
membered that his wife might never
walk again, and the icy . nd Of
fear clutched at h heart.
CHAPTER Tx
1t was a Good fall day, several
weeks later, and Vivian was sitting
in the little living room in her wheel
chair when the great specialist from
Kansas City arrived with DR.. Mil
lard.
Her eyes were round with Won
der and fear, and Kent sat white
and taut, holding her hand. She
would KNOWN a few minutes
whether she was ever to walk about
the little town again.
Her lips moved in inaudible pray
er. DR.. Millard had known her
rel since she was a baby. He saw
the fear in her eyes, and patted
her on the back.
BE a brave girl, Vivie. Well
know any minute. Don't let your
nerve break. You've been a brave
little woman"
Dr.. Sandman knelt and took the
bandages from the leg and Vivian
closed her eyes. Kent walked into
the other room and back again. DR..
Sandman placed his hands under
her arms and raised her up.
She clutched at him weakly, and
she felt faint.
There" he said cheerfully, you
must try, now. Mrs. Johns, you
stand right t~here-right over about
that chair. And now, Mrs. Johns,
I'm just going to barely touch un-
der your arms. You just walk to
your husband"
II can't"
"You must-come, noW-all your
strength-you are just frightened"
Please, sweetheart, come to me
-"
She pulled herself together, fran
tically, and her eyes did not move
from Kent's eager, pleading face.
She must walk for hlm-she must.
All his happiness depended upon 1T.
He loved her . . she could not be
a real wife if ne must keep to a
wheel chair all her life.
Slowly, paint lily, she felt every
drop of blood in her body run cold
with fear, uncertainty; but with a
superhuman will she tried to forget
her tired body. It was her spirit
that must force her into her hus-
bands waiting arms.
And so it was with an agony that
brought little beads Of perspiration
to her head that fe't like blc-d that
she took her first stop.
She swayed, and Dr.. Willard
caught her.
Thank God-you took one step
now