Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1932-05-06
MAN MADFMTOWN
D4B ~ b4RuBY M. AIRES [ z4E45

some hot water-and bring it upstairs
to me-"
He laid Diana. on her bed, clumsily
pulling the quilt aside and then gent
ly covering her with it, before he pull
ed the curtains back and opened the
window wide.
She stared up at him piteously for a
moment before she whispered:
"Am l going to die?"
"No, my dear-no!"
He went On carefully, as if realiz-
ing the importance of every word
you've got to be brave and try new
er to think about it again. You've
got to be very brave and trust me tc
look after you. Can you do that?"
She nodded, slow tears falling down
her face.
"It-hurts so," she said.
eyes" She made a little movemen,
to wipe the tears from her face, but
the pain in her arm was too great
and Rathbone took his own handker.
chief and gently wiped them for he'
before he drew his arm from beneath
her head and laid her back on the pill.
lows.
Her eyes sought his with fear.
Il suppose, when I'm well-you'l
go again?"
"Go?-Where?"
mot see me any more, l mean"
He put his hand on hers for a mo.
ment: it was like her to touch hi
tenderness when he had been tryine
harshly to condemn her.
mo, not if you still want me-" h
said.
She said suddenly, with a ghost Of
her old childish impertinence, "Pool
DR.. Rathbone-you can't quite escape
me, can you?"
"Have you thought I wished to?'
She sighed. II have thought So
yes"
Away in the distance the church
clock struck eleven.
He asked, docs that mean that
am still-a wall for you to lear
against? Wasn't that what you called
me?-a safe harbour, Diana!"
! She pressed his hand in assent, thu
old sweet smile crossing her face a
she looked up at him.
The garden gate creak and Rath.
bone went over to the window.
THAT is Miss Startling" he said
"Tll just go down and see her; yo,
don't mind being left now for a mo.
ment?"
Downstairs she could hear him talk.
ing to Miss Startling, and presently
they came up together. Diana won
dered if the Creature could possibly
have been crying, or if it was JUS
the night air had redeemed her lids.
She bent over Diana and rearrang.
ed her pillows and the bedclothes will
capable hands.
"Ill make you nice and comfy pres
entity" she promised.
She asked no questions, and Dian;
liked her better at that moment thar
ever before.
"In just run away and take off my
cloak and bonnet" she said practical
ly, and went away.
Rathbone stood at the foot of tn,
bed.
"Do you mind if l go now7" Rath'
bone asked. ''I'll come in the morning
quite early"
you've been very kind"
And you won't worrya"
"No.'
She looked up at him with such
trustful eyes that, moved by a sud
den impulse which he could not con
troll, Rathbone bent down and kissee
her.
A very gentle kiss on the forehead
Just between her brows, and he turn
ed away at once, but not before h
had seen the look of happiness tha'
flashed into her eyes.
Goodnight" he said again, but
when he reached the door she calico
him back to say:
"I;m glad it wasn't goodbye thi
time"
He looked at her gravely.
81 hope you'll always be glad" HI
CHAPTER XIV
The day Dennis Waterman was dut
to arrive 1t Southampton Rathbont
took the bandages from Diana's RICH,
arm.
"And now there's something l wan
to say to you," Rathbone said brisk
ly.
Diana turned round, the old scarce
look creeping into her eyes.