The Primrose Ring

of Margaret MacLean. The passing of the incurables mattered little to them, one way or another, but they knew what it mattered to the nurse in charge, and they were just beginning t

almost broken-"what shall we do without you? You have kep

impression of a very scientific man, while he was inwardly praying for a half-dozen minutes alone with Margaret MacLean. He had passed her more than once in the corridors, but she had eluded him each time, brushing by him with a tightening of the lips and a lit

e best intention in the world of cheering her up. When the glimpse came, however, she stood mute-tears channeling the old wrinkled face-while the nurse patted her hands and made her laugh through t

would make to see if the promise had been kept-when a line from Hauptman's faery p

ess troubled her very little; it was the homelessness-friendlessness-that frightened her. She ha

rwise-he might-because of his friendship-say or do something he would have to regret all his life. She had been very much in earnest when she had told the Senior Surgeon on the st

hings could not be seen very clearly or distinguishably in the room. Across the threshold her foot slid over something soft and slippery; stooping, her hand closed upo

y were, the primroses, a curving trail of them stretching from the head of Pancho's bed to the foot of Michael's. She choked back an exclamation

u doing-bury

and let the lig

tell her-oh, such a host of things! But he was a wise House Surgeon, and his experience on the stairs had not counted for nothing; mor

volunteered at last,

's shoe was carelessly knocking some of the blossoms out of place. "Don't you know that no one must distur

f established facts, thereby causing him to miss many pleasant things which he still looked back upon regretfully, and found

s looked very big and round in the darkness, and her face wore the little-girl scarey look as she reached up

k empty, quite

best to pat it in the old, big-brother way. "You've had an awfully try

. "Every single bed looks empty," she repeated. "The clothes tumbled as if the children had slipped quietly out from und

And mechanically his ringers closed over her pulse. Then he pulled her to her feet. "Go over to

my, wistful monotone. "Who knows-Cinderella's godmother came to her when it was only a matter of ragged clothes and a part

the House Surgeon, as if he h

faeries may have come a

rought brain. He knew without being told-for Margaret MacLean would never have told-how tired and hopelessly heart-sick and mind-sick she was to-night. What

very young to keep them well scoured, or they'll find them getting so rough and splintered that they can't possibly eat w

into the rocker, while he sat down on the corner

ld be his glad good fortune to keep it from her. It was surprising the way he

es,'" he suggested, seri

rt; and even a hospital might have faeries once in a generation. Only-only why couldn't

that the House Surgeon would go and leave her free to be foolishly childish a

a very permanent look as h

y, very probably, they are sending for you later-special messenger. It's still so

ile she rummaged about in some old memories for something she had almos

e w

who comes on May Eve in the guise of some well-appearing young man and beguiles a maid back with him i

en he gripped the table hard with both hands while the spirit of mischief leaped,

-" she repeated, dream

ld all depend upon

eon jumped to his feet, mak

ll waken th

not here," he

you might waken th

r out of it bodily; then his hands closed over hers and he lifted them to her e

; and then stood wait

what might happen inside. Keep very still; don't move, don't speak. Remember you mustn't uncover your eyes

hearts. One fluttered, frightened and hesitating; the other thumped, steady and determined. Then out of the darkness came the striking of the ho

arry back with him to his faery-land. It will be rather a funny little old faery-land, made up of work and poverty-and love; but, you see, the last is so big and strong it can

nce settled

, breaking it at last and soun

n't to move or speak, or

nds away from her eyes and kissed the lids. "You can open them if you solemnly promise not to be disappointed when you see the Love-Talker h

rebelling angel," she

tal we might be jogging along for the next ten years on the wholesome, easily digested di

ried her face in th

earest? Don't

never belonged to anybody before in

er while she sobbed out the tears that had been intended for the edge of Bridget's bed; and when th

t MacLean, knowing full well that she would be, and that often, because of the joy t

other position elsewhere better suited to my rising abilities; and if an opportunity shou

h!

to want us around after the things we magnanimousl

ad into deep furrows of perplexity. "I have kept it out of my mind all through the evenin

rkness beyond. He laughed joyously, as a man can laugh when everything lies before him and there are no regrets left behind. "Have

really do

certai

ind the chil

cour

t have to gi

ourse

be happy toge

some

him hungrily. "I know now why a maid always f

dear

m and the country where he is takin