Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-02-01

Pallion's conditions changed q little"
she said There is q quicker pulse"
"Oh? Then ! must go up" The
doctor went to the door. I'll let You
see the patient for minute or two"
he said. "Will you follow met"
Feeling as though there were some
thing red hot in his heart Tom fol-
lowed with dragging feet White
walls; white staircase with no car
pet: Spartan simplicity and cleanli-
ness; a lofty room with two windows;
Judy, the lively and lovely Judy, still
and deathlike on white narrow bed.
ooh. my Cod" said Tom.
"She spoke your name just now"
said the doctor quietly. "Delirium-
quite usual-talking in what is. you
know, a sort of enforced sleep. She'll
probably d0~so again. Take this chair,
but you are not to touch the patient
or raise your voice. I'm satisfied with
the condition so far 1t follows the
normal course" He said something
to the nurse beneath his breath. He
went out, walking softly. and shut the
door.
Tom sat. bending forward, holding
on to his wrist.
The nurse did not know how to de-
scribe his expression except In med
ical terms. acute pain in the heart"
She stood al the end of the bed. white,
calm, steady, inwardly moved by more
then her vocational sympathy for suf-
fering human beings. Whatever the
frailty 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,
clear even whisper. without any
changes of infection; sort of chant
Its very nice here, Cardy. Such
a wonderful view!"
In an immediate panic, Tom got to.
his feet II must get out" he said.
Already? Why?"
"It's too frightfully unfair to stay
and listen-in-to take advantage Of
her Illness.
The nurse put her hand on his arm.
Never mind ethics" she said. u most
strongly advise you to stay. You love
this girl. can see. and whatever she
did you will forgive. You will never
ask her to tell you the story of last
night and she won't ever say anything
against a man who's dead. It may be
your fault in some way and this may
be your chance :"
The whisper came again and there
was the faint suggestion of laughter
in it which curdled Toms 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 passionate interludes mean
almost nothing to you. You 60 from
one to another without the slightest
hurt. Oh. one knows all these stories.
They're all flying about. But having
dashed into this adventure without any
thought and not being, to be brutally
frank, in the least bit in love, | see
nOw-Pm sorry, Cardy-what a silly
fool ] am :. i. No, no. EloQuence
won't work and you're requested not
to touch the exhibits, or words to that
effect. | hate to turn out a spoil
sport, having gone so far. but you're
going to treat me as though l were a
wise old woman, rather ugly aunt.
Really, Cardy. that's true. Wen dine,
and smoke, and talk. and listen to the
gramophone, say goodnight 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 adj
vance, as they say in business let
tiers, for your charming consideration
which l greatly appreciate I
never knew until this moment, Cardy,
how deeply love Tom"
The chant continued for a moment
but was too faint to understand.
The doctor came into the room.
THAT'S all for today" he said.
Tom rose, bent over Judy and
kissed her on the lips. He left on her
cheeks something so grateful that it
glistened like dew.