The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-30

ever DoOy seems to De callin' SONNY" all ob a sudden.
 Copvrioht by Public Lcdosr
 It was 1 o'clock. She dragged her. self out of the chair.
 "Pll fly" she said tonelessly. |. Just around the corner" Agony, agony. It was all agony. There was no relief. Even the pavements were unfriendly. The fall day seemed ominous with the hush of unshed tears. She found a little restaurant, one in which the day before she had wept un- ashamedly into bitter cup of tea. She did not weep now. Even that was beyond her.
 She saw, as one sees flashes in a cinema, pictures of her life and her mothers together. Herself at 12, In blue serge, being brought to the convent. Her mothers mobile, eager face. Sister Blanche. She's a dear child. Mrs Barrett. and we'll take good care of her"
 That was the year mother had gone on tour with the Shakespear- can company.
 Liane wondered numbly what life would have been like for both of them If Tom Barrett had lived She scarcely remembered him. He had died when she was G. She had vague memories of q tall, brown haired man who carried her on his shoulders. How she had en- vied girls who spoke of "my father" at school. She longcd for her father now, for someone to keep this fearful vigil with her.
 Somehow Lianc swallowed the hot. salty broth, crumbled crack CT and left 1t untastcd. Then she fairly ran the short block to the hospital in fever lest she had stayed too long. Something-any- thlng--might have happened. She was afraid to open the door. Dread had swept over her again like q soaring flame. But Miss Nes- bit sat, quiet and relaxed. watch ing the sufferer, listening to the labored breathing.
 Doctors due,' she whispered. Liane nodded. She was counting the seconds.
 M She took up her place by the bed. In the silence came a sound, low, sibilant, like a sigh. Cass was beginning to moan again. Frag- ments of words tore out of her de- lirlum.
 Liane bent nearer. Darling, I'm here" she kept saying over and over.
 Cass said suddenly. clearly, Luisa wouldn't want her to know. Anyhow, she's mine. I've earned her. My little girl"
 Then she began to toss again. |
 The doctor came and went. Long shadows crept over the walls. h. ane crouched, unstirring. "He says the crisis will come tonight" Miss Nesbit whispered to the night nurse who entered, rustling and fresh, at 7.
 The two nurses held long con sultation outside the door as Liane kept watch. Elsie fIuttered in for a moment, sympathetic and reas- surfing, on her way to the theater.
 "You've got to get some sleep kid," she said anxiously. "You'll cave in.'
 Make them let me stay to- night" Liane begged. Make them. You can!"
 Elsie shook her head. "Dont think 1t can be done, kid, Anyhow they're not certain there will be any change"
 But Liane was determined. Miss Nesbit shook her head. Against the rules" she said firmly.
 Liane went to the floor head. The stnrched woman listened with cool, blank eyes. In the end she said stiffly. "The room next door happens to be empty. I will make an exception. That is. If you prom ise to lie down and walt till the nurse calls you"
 All her life long Llane Barrett was to remember that night aS her Gethsemane. Young as she was she seemed to touch the very depths of human anguish. There was no one to stand by--not one of her own flesh and blood to hold her hand.
 Toward midnight she heard the slipping rush of feet on the oil- clothed floor outside. Shaking. she crept to the door. An intcrne shot out of the changing elevator The night nurse appeared for split second. her cap slightly nwry.
 "Change has come" the little floor nurse told Tiane calmly. "but don't go In now.'
 She touched the young girl on the arm with compassion. "Be brave" she said. She, too, was young. She turned away that Ii- ane might not see the bright drops trembling on her lashes.
 Ages passed. Glasses clinkcd ~ f A,t kitchen. A tall middlc-aged nurse juice in her hand.
 "Oh, God" prayed Ilane again. deeply, wildly. ooh, God, remem- Der mo now"
 She wanted to go Into that rooi> and she dared not She stared un- seeing at the hands of the little watch she carried. Thirty minutes past 12. Night clubs somewhere were just beginning to take on life. People were dancing. laughing. Young girls with painted mouths were flirting across white table, cloths, And inside that quiet, or derly room grim struggle was going on.
 Liane put her hand across her eyes. l When she opened them the young interne was standing there Was he--oh. God. was 1t rossiblef was he smiling at hcrP She reached out. snatched at his hand. Something to hold 10. He said, "Ycs. Tts good news. She's over the top--we think"
 Liane went down on her knees, she. said. ''Fa:hcr. VIC thank Thee" just hcfore tho black