The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-18
CHAPTER TwENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE brick walls of the Laird Hos
i pital for Children at last!
How strange that the haven Of ref
uge from the tempestuous life she
had lived should have been pro-
vided by John Dey. She ran up
the steps into the reception room,
and the girl at the desk looked up
with a cry Of relief.
"Oh. you have come backP Or.
Laird has had a heart attack. He
is calling for you-Mrs. Sykes says
ne is dying!"
Everything went black before her
and she reached out for a chair.
Surely she must have misunderstood.
DR.. Bob-dying? Life TO go on
without DR.. Bob?
Down the hall she sped, through
his Office and into the bedroom be-
yond. As she passed the desk, Mr..
Jocks smile came TO her from the
silver frame, giving her courage to
enter the room where a small group
Of persons were gathered about the
bed.
She did not look at them. She
went directly to the bedside, pulling
off her beret and dropping to her
knees, her face close to the pale one
on the pillow.
DIR. Bob"
The tired head turned and
smile swept over his face. The
hand that lay outside the coverlet
reached for hers.
You are here, lassie." A strange,
thick voice. He had said the same
thing the night she had come back
to the hospital, nearly 10 months
before. She pressed her lips against
the back of his hand.
If only Mr.. Jock were here-he
loved DR.. Bob. too. She needed
Mr.. Jock-her eyes were on the pale
face on the pillow.
A nurse hustled in. The patient
must be kept quiet. I must ask
you to leave"
Asking her to leave DR.. Bob? Ask
ing her to go when he wanted her;
had been waiting for her. lingo
looked up duly. She looked across
the bed straight into anxious, brown
eyes. For a second she held her
hand to her eyes. Then she looked
ur again.
Mr.. Jock stood there.
oh" she whispered. her lips
scarcely moving. You came"
I must ask you to leave" came
the businesS-like voice of the nurse.
DIR. Laird must not be allowed to
talk"
DR.. Bob's voice was muffled, but
he spoke distinctly: please go, ali
Of you-except Jock and laSsie. I
want Jock and lasSie to stay"
DR.. Reynard and Mrs. Sykes were
turning to the door. Another man
followed. and the nurse fingered for
a moment before she turned away.
lingo watched them in a daze. Then
her eyes went back to DR.. Jock, who
was still looking down at her. DR..
Laird's finge held hers.
L am goin to her. lassie-"
NO, no. DR.. Bob" she sobbed.
Don't you see, DR.. Bob. you are
all I have now?"
DR.. Laird's eyes turned to his
friend who bent over him.
Jock" that strange. muffled
voice.
We need you. DR.. Bob. both of
us" said jock softly. But if you
must go to herr accept the trust
YOU have placed in my hands, will
lingly. gladly"
The sick mans eyes once more
turned towards the girl who knelt
beside him. her cheek pressed
against his hand.
"Lassie. you have been a good
soldier-I'm proud OF you. The year
is nearly-up. You won't forget.
lasSie-"
She shook her head, unable to
speak.
And. laSSie. you promised to for
give-if old DR.. Bob has Numbered.
May God bless you both"
That great silence.
For a moment. lingo stared wide
eyed at the peaceful, relaxed face
against the pillow, at the courage
Gus smile that rested there. Then
she pressed her hand against her
mouth to still the racking sobs that
tore at her throat. She was being
lifted to her feet. and a voice, in
finitely tender, was saying:
"JeSSica. I know. I loved him.
700. He was my greatest-my dear
est friend"
His arm was about her shoulders
as they left the room, through the
adjoining Office so empty now with
out that gentle presence. down the
hall And then Mrs. Sykes was tax
ing her 10 her room and she was in
bed. cold and numb.
DR. BOB was 6ead-Dr. Bob was
L. dead-and she needed him so.
Mr.. Jock had loved him. too. They
had both lost their dearest friend:
they shared a common grief and
she must be brave.
He had come TO her when she
needed him most-and as she
thought Of Mr.. Jock. she remem-
bered DR.. Bob's words:
II loved her with a love deep.
sincere. and beautiful. lassie-and
some day I shall so to her; per-
hapS soon"