Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-09-26

away the cup and not liquid splaSheo
down on her.
That's better-she's coming to! Lift
her head, Major, while I try TO make
her take a swallow"
Poor little soul-poor little soulr'
Tessie knew that voice and opened
her eyes
Major Creagh was on his knees be-
side her, just as he had knelt by Mar
got that first morning. and he was try
ing TO lift her up She gave him a
weak smile and then obediently parted
her lips for the beef tea and brandy
the doctor was trying to make her
take.
1t was 10 days later, now. and long
before this Tessie learned what had
happened while she lay in that dread
full coma.
Major Creagh, whose name was Pat
rick, told her all about 1t as he sat
beside her that Sunday afternoon,
holding her thin white hands-how he
had thought of her constantly while
he was away. for he had felt on Christ
mas night that she wasn't getting
enough to eat, only he knew about
Mrs. Hope Jordan's store cupboard as
he had helped make the list for it.
Well. the major had hoped onto a
train that morning and come back to
London a day ahead of schedule, SIM
ply because he was rather worried
about Tessie Appleby, and he was still
more worried when he got no answer
to his ring Then he learned that she
hadn't been seen for several days. so
he got porter to open the door with
a pass-key And then. of course, he
sent for a doctor and together they
coaxed Tessie from the brink Of the
grave For, indeed, that was where
/ she was lowering when he found her.
Apparently Major Creagh was one
OF those delightful people who are not
/ content to do things by halves. Saving
/ Tessies life was merely beginning
This was something like dream
too, but Tessie-being an artist-ac-
cepted its reality without question 1t
| was always the improbable that hap
pened to her.
Several pieces of new luggage stood
! in the hall waiting for the porter, and
/ across the divan lay an expensive fun
coat, also new. Tessie herself was clad
with unwonted smartness in tweed
country suit. with a Dick Wilmington
hat sporting tailfeathers Of a pheasant
perched on her frizzy top.
At Marquis desk. making use of Mar
COTS stationery. she was writing to hel
cousin.
with heart overlooking with graf
itude I want to thank you for the
happy time I have had here. I fee.
quite sad at leaving. Really, Margot
it was most generous of you to lend
me your lovely little home, and tt
show you how much I appreciate youl
kindness, I'm leaving you grandfath-
er's cup It's about the best can do
IT hope all goes well with you. Eve,
you affectionate cousin.
"Tessie.
"P. S. I almost forgot to tell yol
that Major Creagh and I were married
this morning. His office is being moved
to the country. but I mustn't say
where, even to you'll"
Tessie read this through, screwing
her brows and clicking the pen against
her teeth. 1t seemed to cover the nee
essary ground without stressing the
obvious, although she certainly did hate
to give up that cup. And on the hand
basin in the bathroom she was leaving
brand new cake of toilet soap. She
saw no reason why she should give an
| involved explanation of that, either
One should strive for economy of words
as well as of line.
She glanced hurriedly at Margot's
electric clock.
| The porter would be here in a mo-
ment for her luggage, and it was almost
time to meet her husband in the cock
tail bar.
Quickly she addressed and stamped
the letter and sent it down the chute
CTHE END