The Coolidge examiner., 1934-07-27

rounded by anxious faces. 1T was
the smell. I think.
Never mind. Celia" Hugh was
holding her wrist Your pulse IL
normal" lie looked at her search
lngly.
Il feel 50 faint" Her voice
was q whisper.
she's as pale as a ghost - Mrs.
CULLEN made tanning motions with
a folded wad OF newspaper There
Amt no color at all IN her face
jamie touched Cella's cheek with
the tip OF her finger. Powder Her
suspicious were confirmed She
glanced up eft Hugh and saw. with
feeling OF alarm. that he had sus-
pected. too. She bid the tell-iale
Anger In the pocket OF her dress.
Il wanted 10 help" Celia mur.
INJURED Her eyes. wide and appeal
Ing. were fixed on Hugh's stern
face. jamie saw the stern expires
sion soften. Hugh stooped and
kissed Cella's brow. jamie. watch
ing lntently. saw celia's lips curve
Into q smile.
Hugh went softly out OF the
room. Had be seen that smile7 All
evening be vas unusually quiet.
After Office hours were over. jamie
walked with him into the hall Celia
was talking at the telephone. She
placed the receiver on the hook
when she saw Hugh watching her
and adopted a languld air.
Dolly wants me 10 stay with her
tonight" she said They're driy.
inE In for me. | think II would do
me good 10 get away"
Perhaps" Hugh said brusquely.
The set OF his lips hlled jamie with
sudden fright.
"wln you come with usY' Celia
asked.
Il can't" be said briefly. Il have
some reading 10 do
But be didn't read He paced the
floor OF his room upstairs. jamie.
playing double solitaire with Mrs.
Qulllen In the living room below.
heard his footsteps treadlng end
lessly back and forth.
what ais him tonlghty" Mrs
Qulllen asked. with an eloquent
glance toward the ceiling.
Il don't know" JAMIE answered
That wasn't quite true. She thought
that Hugh had suspected Celia. She
thought that the falntlng nt had
not deceived him az all what
would happen7 What would he
doT -.
The arrival OF the postman was
an event OF great Importance. There
were letters from Mother every
day and sometimes a note from Fa-
iher. He was getting stronger. The
operation was to be performed In
a very short time. There was moth
Ing 10 do except wait.
Occasionally a square gray en-
velope came In with the rest OF the
mall. Carter Shelby was writing TO
Celia again. Celia tucked the let
ters away with a casual air. and sell
dom mentioned his name. But she
watched for the square gray en-
velopes. JAMIE was sure OF that.
And all through February while the
snow changed TO sleet and mud and
each gray day that passed seemed
drearier than the others, jamie
watched for a telegram from Mother.
The telegram never arrived. One
morning early In March, a letter
cane addressed in Mothers writ
Ing 70 Hugh. He read II al break
fast.
"lt's over" he said.
'The operationr" Cella's hands
crept up to her heart
Janie's eyes asked a question.
Hugh looked at her mlserably. He
looked away. But he had 10 tell
them.
1T was unsuccessful he said.
You mean" Celia faltered.
He will never walk again"
JAMIE made a faint little moan
and her fingers twisted together.
He'll be well otherwIseTr Celia
asked.
Yes" Hugh's voice was husky
and rough He may live for
years"
"Is he coming home:" jamie asked.
Not at once They want to keep
him there for observation.
ut isn't so bad" Celia said slow
ly, as though she were reassuring
herself. HE viii have Stoney 10
take care of him"
mot so bad >" Hugh turned to
hnr aiupCf Haraaf, asN-o.