Evening star., 1934-02-01
INSTALLMENT XVIII.

INSTALLMENT XVIII.
TEARS began to fall down Char
ity's cheeks and splash on the
coverlet Doug gave her hand
weak little pressure. His lips
moved.
"Kiss-me Charity"
Wonderingly she bent over him to
give him q soft little sisterly kiss on
the mouth. But at the contact all the
bloo6 in her body cried out for his re-
Spouse. She kissed him again. almost
roughly, and felt his arms reaching up
to her.
with a wild little sob Of joy she laid
her face close to his and felt his arms
holding her close. She couldn't believe
he realized who she was. But 1t was
heaven He was delirious and thought
she was Yanner 1t couldn't be She
Charity-that Doug wanted to hold and
kiss.
But from the moment her lips met
Dougs for the first time Charity knew
she loved him. Strangely, it did not
surprise her She held him there, ten
derby stroking his white cheek. and
closed her eyes.
She wouldn't let him die! Doug had
to live Even though he loved the girl
who was dying in the room next to him
he must live. She remembered then
that she had promised Batch she would
marry him when she was free. But
even if death gave her that freedom
there could never be any one but Doug.
She did care for Batch-but in differ
ent way. Because he'd been SO good to
her.
Doug sank again into a coma. But
his face held a ghost Of smile. A
soft knock came on the door and the
nurse entered, with DR.. Brandt beside
her. The physician smiled when he
saw Doug Graded in Charity's arms.
Mrs. Temple" the nurse took Dougs
pulse again, Miss Vandergriff has just
rallied and asked to see you"
Charity started. The doctor nodded
his head
She has sent her family from the
room and demanded to see you. I'd
advise you to go, if you can see it
through. She-is dying"
Charity knew when she saw the bro
ken body of little Yanner Vandergriff
lying on the hard cold hospital bed
that she had nothing but pity in her
heart for her. All thoughts of hatred
The nurse got up from her chair and
mOtioned for Charity to sit down. Then
she went out and closed the door softly
Charity bent over her rival.
"Yanner-this Is Charity"
Yanner opened her eyes. Charity
saw she was trying to raise her hand
and reached out to take Yanner's cold
little wind-tanned hand in her strong
white one.
Charity" Yanner said with a
talked with you"
"But-you're not going Charity
tried desperately to smile her reas-
| Surance. You'll be all right soon
No" Yanner said weakly. don't
try to fool me. I'm all broken up in
side I don't even feel pain"
I'm glad you're not suffering"
Yanner rallied to smile feebly.
"You-would be glad. You're that
sort. Come-come closer to me-
Charity Im-so tired"
Please Charity begged, don't try
to talk. Yanner.''
But I must tell you. II ditched
the car tonight. Il wanted to kill
mySelf-and Doug. lit came over
me all at once
you imagine it. Yanner."
mo. I did-my head is perfectly
! clear. remember. I-called Doug
this afternoon and begged him to see
me--just once more. Did-didn't you
know he had given me the air?''
Charity leaned cloSer-amaZed
"No-Yanner. I haven't talked with
him"
Just couple of days ago-he-he
came to me and said he was through
He-he told me he-loved you-and /
couldn't stand it. I made-a fool out
of myself Oh-Charity I'm-so-
ashamed"
Charity bent and put her black head
close to the little blond one.
1T doesn't matter, Yanner I'm not
angry with you. You're going to get
we'll and we're going to be good
| friends"
Yanner reached over and touched
Charity's face softly.
Tits easier to go knowing you've
| forgiven me. It's strange-but l don t
! mind terribly to-die. IL didn't love
Doug really Not like he loves YOU