Flower of the Dusk

g the

onrad

left all my patients in the care of an inferior, though reputable physician, who has

he bell, and when they open the door I'll say: 'I've come from Miss Wynne, and I'm to amputate this

he world. "If you could see that brave little thing, with her beautiful face and her divine unselfishness, hobbling around on

sing t

anything can be done. If they were well-to-do, they undo

e, hopefully. "Think of all the progre

can do is to see. And if anything can be d

an stop there and get the things I bought the other day. They have no on

everything she had," m

flushing. "I left her some sam

do that there will be no time for anything else, and, in a little while, she will have given away all the money we both have. Th

of Segr

you know that even in the old people's homes they kee

ike, what for?" he

nd there was so much checker-playing in the evening and so many lights burning, and so many requests for new clothes, that t

nal in the human br

those poor, desolate old people who love each other, and give them a pretty wedding. Wou

tle house with a guest room or two, but I've changed my mind. My vote is for

ting

she said. "We're wasting valuable time. Get a horse and buggy and

ought three suit-cases and piled them under the seat. Half a dozen rocking-chairs, on t

d Eloise, to the boy, "that I'm not ta

ried Allan, as

e answered, crisply. "M

umility. "If you think I'm fit to hear why you

fit. Here, turn

aded aisles sweet with that cool fragrance found only in the woods. The horse did not hurry, but wandered comf

versu

laughed Eloise. "I like him lots b

t an automobile has

d. "I'd rather feed a horse

you want to get anywhere very quickly and the th

on little short of devilish. A horse seems more friendly. If you were thinking of

ur six-room apartment and have his dinner sent in from the nearest table d'oat.

sighed. "This is the river road. Fol

n front of the grey, weather-worn house where Barbara lived. He was cr

h?" queried A

n. You bring two of the suit-c

rvat

additions to her wardrobe. Doctor Conrad had been observing Barbara keenly as they talked of indifferent th

to a mere machine, brutalised and calloused, with only one or two emotions aside from selfishness left to thrive in his dwarfed soul, or it would humanise him to godlike unselfi

interest. Eloise shrank from him a little-she had never seen him like this before.

s Miriam, callin

ty. Excuse me, please-

Eloise leaned over to Allan, her face al

ing

al conditions. Of course it's impossible to tell definitely without a thorough examination, but I've done it

ispered Eloise.

e down. Eloise went to the window and studied the horse attentive

had been to his old solitude at the top of the hill, where, as nowhere else, he found peace. While he was talking

ile these girls are chattering, will

leasure. "I should like it very much," he said

laughed Allan, as they we

is afraid of horses and Barbara said she did not care to go. I thought the open air

t Ba

ur consent, I should like to make a thorough examination and see w

e went everywhere and did everything, lon

e have learned much, in my profession,

me if you can

derstand me, I do not know but what you are right,

the old man, very slowly, "that m

Pos

ll, where the sun shone clear and strong, stood up, and turned the blind face to the light. Then, sitting down o

ite inquiry. The matter seemed

f you'll go to the city with me, I'll take you to a friend of mine who is a great

f Barbara is willing," he

Pl

come any day now. Then she asked if she might order preserves from Aunt Miriam, and discussed patterns and material for the lingerie she h

did not look at Barbara, but tried to spea

r, so low that she co

walk like the rest of

estion. "My mind can walk," she said,

erly for her awkwardness. She saw that an apology would

surgeons. He told me that he would like to make an examination and see if an operation would not

ce had sunk to a whisper and she was very pale. "I d

" repeated E

was coming back slowly now. "I am all he has, my wo

the onl

ra no

e not

tonishment. "Why should I be afraid?" s

s around the slender, white-clad figure. "Listen, dear," she s

t money. I have never had anyone to take care of, no one to make sacrifices for, no one to make me strong

Barbara slow

omp

ll never want for anything while he lives. And no

ight. Then she leaned forward and put her soft arms around the ol

mes, yes," she sobbed.

rbara were alone again, he came over to her chai

ll you, dear

hispered

walk and I could see. He said that the dre

out your eyes?" asked B

pe

ou are willing, I am to go to the city with him someti

ed Barbara. "I'm

he old hand, in which the pulses moved so sl

id; "I have neve

ow, D

to see y

want

ll you le

t must be-after

hy

and well. I want to be able to walk. You mustn'

made a little song this afternoon, while you

ll

autiful

nd early manhood he had worked in it and found pleasure in seeing things grow, but he did not r

twilight she whispered to him that some day a perfect flower of their very own was to bloom in the ga

l there, bringing divine consolation with her touch, and whispe

ide him told him that it was as pure and fair as they had prayed it migh

me even forgot the flower that she had left. Weeds grew among the flowers, nettles and thistles took

fect

the one perfect white blossom. It was cool and soft to his hot hand, it was exquisitely fragrant, and, more than all, it was part of her. Gr

fed his soul. Blind, it gave him sight; weak, it gave him courage; hurt, it brought him balm. At last he lived only because

o Barbara; "what should I have been with

h for t

much to bear, it is because you are strong enough to do it nobly and well. Only th

ut, Barbar

Whatever happened would be the best

wn fine courage and his soul rallied greatly to meet hers. From her

ways," he said, "but I will not be afra