The Coolidge examiner., 1934-03-02

"Ohl Then must 30 up" The
doctor went 20 the door. "rll let
you see the patient for a minute or
two" he said. "win you follow
mef~
Feeling as though there were
something red hot IN his heart Tom
followed with dragging feet White
walls: a white staircase with no
carpet: Spartan simplicity and
cleanliness a lofty room with two
windows: Judy. the lively and love
Is Judy. still and deathllke on a
white narrow bed
"uh. my Cod. said Tom.
'She spoke your name just now. q"
said the doctor quietly "Delirium
quite talking ln what IT,.
you know. q sort of enforced sleep.
She'll probably DO so again Take
this chair. but you are not 10 touch
the patient or raise your voice I'm
satisfied with the condition SO far.
Il follows the normal course" He
said something 20 the nurse be
meath bis breath lie went out.
walking softly. and shut the door
Tom sat. bending forward. hold
ing on 10 his wrist.
The nurse did not know how TO
describe his expression except In
medical terms Acute pain In the
heart" she stood at the end OF
the bed. white. calm. steady. In
wardly moved by more than her
vocational sympathy for suffering
human beings Whatever the frall-
~ OF the patient her life must be
preserved.
There was no movement OF her
body. no flicker OF her long lashes,
when Judy spoke again. II was a
whisper. a clear even whisper. with
out any changes Of infection; a
sort OF chant
"It's very nice here. Cardy. Such
n wonderful view 2"
In an immediate panic. Tom got
10 bis feet. Il must get out" he
said
"Already7 WHY"
~Irs too frlghtfully unfair TO stay
and llsten-ln--to take advantage OF
her illness
The nurse put her hand on his
arm. Never mind ethics" she
said Il most strongly advise you
to stay. You lore this girl, | can
see. and whatever she did you viii
forgive. Yea viii never ask her to
tell you the story Of last night and
she won't ever say anything against
n man who's dead. Il may be your
fault in some way aud this may be
, your chance
The whisper came again and
there was the faint suggestion OF
laughter In II which eurdled Toms
I blood.
This yacht. your cottage. that
amazing apartment In New York
are rather dazzling. Cardy. don't
mind telling you Then. too. you're
a very good.lookIng person and you
do things well They all make for
fascination upon the average silly
| girl. Say what you like. the world
Is silly. because these brief pas
/ siOnhte iuterludes mean almost
nothing 10 you. You 10 from one
20 another without the slightest
hurt. oh. one knows all these
stories. They're all dying aboHt.
But having dashed into this adven-
ture without any thought and not
being. 10 be brutally frank. In the
least bit In love. | see now-Tm
sorry. Cardy-what a silly fool
am No. no. Eloquence won't
work and you're requested not to
touch the exhibits. or words 10 that
| effect. / hate 10 turn out a spoil
sport. having gone so far. but
/ you're going to treat me as
though | were a wise old wom-
an. a rather ugly aunt Really.
| Cardy, that's true. Wen dine.
and smoke. and talk. and listen
TO the gramophone. say good
night fairly early. meet again
for breakfast-scrambled eggs for
me-and then you'll drive me back.
/ apologize for misleading you and
| Thank you in advance as they
say In business letters. for your
charming consideration which l
greatly appreciate : never
knew until this moment. Cardy.
how deeply I love Tom"
The chant continued for a mo-
ment but was too faint to under
| stand.
The doctor came into the room.
That's all for today" he said.
Tom rose. bent over Judy and
kissed her or the lips. He left on
her cheeks something so grateful
that II glistened like dew.