The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-23
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

: CdAf LEX FORT EIGHT
Gaylord half-feared she might
ask him to to 90 up to Irene's room
with her, but she only said, Thank
you" in a voice so colorless he
could not know II she had under
stood.
For Is long while he waited and
when Berry, returned he could dis
cover nothing in her face to indi-
cate that his fears had been real
tied.
If Irene had treated Berry, to a
scene her expression did not reveal
1t, nor did she say anything about
the conversation.
He was not surprised, however.
when she told him, on the way to
the hotel, her chief reason for com
ing to Oakdale.
TIVE doctor will not do it to-
Il day" Beryl added when she
had told Gaylord that she was Civ
ing the aid her sister needed.
L should think mott" he .ex-
claimed warmly you look ike a
patient YOURSELF"
L only need a little rest" Beryl
insisted. MY hearts all right.
They tested it,"
But it's senseless, Beryl," Gay
lord protested. You're not I'D to
1t. Any fool would know that. 1
can't imagine what"
I'm all right" Beryl insisted
doggedly. Just a little tired. It's
only the heart that matters. The
doctor knows"
I won't have it," Gaylord de-
clared heatedly. You know can
pay"
NO" Beryl said with a shake of
her head. 1T isn't what you can
pay, Gaylord. Irene feels better
now. She was disappointed because
mother could not come.
Mother is i'll, you know, and the
thought Of a stranger-some one
she did not know-frightened her.
This is much better"
i suppose you'd say that If YOU
we're giving up an ARM" Gaylord
grumbled. Now I know what's
been puzzling me- You're fanatic,
that's what you arel And Irene
isn't worth It,"
Pleased" Berry, said simply and
Gaylord desisted.
AT the hotel he asked If he might
have dinner there with her. She
refused with a gentle dignity that
reminded him he was her sisters
estranged husband.
She probably thinks I beat the
little brat" he thought angrily. but
he could not defend himself against
an unspoken charge, so he said
good night rather abruptly and de-
parted.
Later he telephoned when Beryl
was having the food the doctor had
advised brought to her room to ask
If she were comfortable and if he
might take her to the hospital.
Beryl, thinking Irene might not
wish her to antagonize him, con-
sented. The next morning he came
for her, bringing such a large
bunch Of flowers that Beryl was
reminded of the floral Offering her
gang" had sent for her radio
debut.
She hadn't had much time for
boys lately. The gang was break
ing up.
She took the flowers with her, but
soon Gaylord wished he hadn't
brought them, for instead OF being
a gay note they had added funeral
touch to the day
That night Beryl remained at the
hospital and the next day they took
her with Irene to what the latter
called that awful room"
T AFTER they brought her back
Il not to the room they'd giver
her first, but to one she was tc
share with Irene.
Neither knew it for several hours
after they were put to bed there
and Beryl did not mind when she
did, but Irene complained.
I'VE could not help it, Mrs. Prem
tiss," the nurse patiently explained
I'VE are overcrowded. Five patient,
came in this morning"
She looked at Beryl and Irene
had the grace to cease finding fault
Her sister was enduring pain-fol
her. She herself was in pain, but
it was not voluntary. Already she
knew that the hospital attaches
liked and admired Beryl.
1t would seem strange to them
since neither she nor Beryl were
gravely i'll, If she did not want hen
sister with her. Besides the room
they had was spacious and conven.
lent. It even had a Sunroom Of its
own and a radio.
Irene. looking about at the beau