Hyder weekly herald., 1933-12-30
Nurse for Fred By ALICE DUANE
0. by Mcclure NswspA per syndicate.
 WNU Service


 sight in her automobile. No answer. ing roar or purr of the engine re- warded her efforts. She leaned back. tired. ''Deader than Pharaoh" she said with disgust. Serves me right for taking this forsaken road"
 She looked to right and left. Then. "Eenle. meenie." she counted out. The estate on the left won. Scrambling out of the car. she took small suit case from the back seat, and started to walk to the shaded avenue that led to the big house on the rise above tho road.
 Shirley was hot and tired when she reached the cool. comfortable looking Jagged terrace in front of the house. But Shirley looked cool and charming --in . smart little white linen coat suit. with bit of crisp pink blouse showing above the revers. and black. banded. white straw hat shading her creamy skin and wide-set light brown eyes.
 A woman. in . fussy figured chiffon, afternoon frock. rushed forward to meet her. She looked approval at the attractive young woman standing un. decided before her.
 Come right along. my dear. I'm waiting for you. I'm ready to go out. It's the first time for weeks that I've even planned to get away. And I was afraid you weren't going to get here. Now. all you've got to do Is to keep him entertained. He's around on the south veranda. Please don't go till I get back"
 "But--" began Shirley.
 "No buts. my dear. I like your looks. You're just what he needs. You see--well. anyway. the doctor says his mind has got to be cheered up. There's 'houseman who'll walt on him--ali you've got to do is to be amusing, d. vertlng. So guess all you've got to do Is to act natural. You're positive ly too sweet for belief. I'm 90 glad you were intelligent enough to agree not to wear a uniform. He mustn't be made to feel that he's H."
 The older woman pushed the girl around the corner. Here, Fred" she called, Here's a nurse. I'll be back a little past six"
 And with a rush of chiffon and per fume she was gone to the other end of the terrace. and then she had stepped quickly into a car that slid forward notselessly from the side of the house.
 The girl watched her disappear. Then. with laugh. she turned to look around the corner to the south veranda. At the far end she saw figure slumped down in a deck chair.
 Shirley moved swiftly along ths venanda. Well" she said .chserfully. I'm here. I'm not who you think am, but I'll stay tlll-Oh" Shirley dropped her suit case in quite un- nursely fashion. "Oh."
 The young man in the chair slowly turned and lay languidly looking at her. Gradually a look of pleasure spread oyer his thin. white features. Then he closed his eyes weakly. "Slt down, please" he said.
 Shirley stepped quickly to his side You're i'll! I've startled you. Let me do something"
 But the man shook his head quiet iy. "No." he said. I'm not ill." With an effort he drew himself up In the chair. Really. I'm quite all right now, Where--when--why--howT
 Don't talk" Real distress sound ed in Shlrley's voice. The man looked so wretchedly ill. "rll tell you. You see-was that your motherr'
 The man nodded smiling "yes."
 Well, l was driving through this section on my way to visit friends in BostOn--and took this byway--well.. anyway. took 1t. And my car just stopped going. couldn't budge' It. And one of the doors doesn't catch so brought my suit case with me and came up here to telephone for help didn't know you lived here. And then your mother saw me and SUD- pose she thought I was | nurse."