The Indianapolis times., 1929-09-23


could not do without harm to his
plans if he spent much time with
her.
For certainly an aloofness on his
part would engender a similar atti-
tude on hers in time, he reasoned.
They we're admitted to Eva's room
without delay. Helen went swiftly
to the bed and took the hand that
Eva extended in a touching friend
Illness.
How are you?" she inquired
anxiously.
Eva smiled at her.
Very little pain this morning,
thank you," she replied.
Il telephoned late last night and
they told me you were sleeping, "
Helen said.
"Yes. After Bob left. He came in
late" Evas eyes were shining with
excitement as she looked at Helen.
Bob had told her that he'd been at
Bramblewood-t her how wrong
he had been in his first judgment
Of Helen.
Eva was delighted, because moth
ing could make her believe that
Helen was entirely to blame for the
accident.
She attempted to express this
opinion to Helen. You know
should have looked before stepped
into the road" she said, land do
want to thank you for-all this. "
She waved a hand to indicate that
she meant the private room and the
private nurses.
TITS nothing, my dear" Helen
L said hastily. "I was speeding.
I owe you a great deal for the pain
you've suffered. You must let me
make it up to you.
And now I want you to meet a
very dear friend of mine. I should
have asked permission to bring him
here, but he's someone you will see
a great deal of in the future, I hope,
so I thought you wouldn't mind
meeting him now"
Brent stepped forward and Helen
introduced him to Eva. He took
the slender hand she held up to him
and gave it a gentle pressure.
Eva'S hand huttered back upon
the cover, but her eyes remained
upon Brent. He spoke of the acci-
dent, expressed his regret and
wished her speedy recovery.
Eva sensed a warmth in the Gus
tomary phrases that was unusual.
She was bit thrilled, though she
had no idea that Brent had been
attracted by her appearance.
Her mother had brought some of
Eva's own garments to the hospital
that morning and had spent an hour
in doing the things for her daugh-
ter that no one else can think of.
The soft, curly brown hair was
brushed until it cleaned and the
shell pink jacket Eva wore was not
finer and softer in its Silken texture
than the round young throat that
rose from it.
The blue eyes were Shadowed with
the marks of pain but their blue
ness had not faded and there was
even a faint tinge of pink under
nesth the delicate skin of the
cheeks.
She looked very sweet and deli
cate. very appealing and feminine.
Rather a novelty to Brent, meeting
girl like her. 1t struck his fancy
to give it attention.
Eva tore her eyes away from him.
The doctor says I may go home
i'll few days." she said to Helen.
I'll come for you," Helen prom
lsed.
A few minutes later she left with
Brent. What do you think of her?"
she asked when they were out of
Eva's hearing.
Sweet" Brent answered indiffer-
entity.
A cloud passed over Helen's face
at his answer. OF course she
couldn't have expected him to ad-
niire Eva. She knew too we'll the
type of woman to whom he bowed
in admiration.
Brent wanted to know what was
bach of the accident and Helen told
him frankly that she had been
bored to desperation by the life at
Bramblewood.
u q
DRENT understood what she left
- unsaid-thst she had been long
ing for him. Secretly he glowed
with satisfaction. But when he
spoke his voice was tinged with sad
ness.
I'm sorry you haven't been hap
py.' she said. because believe your