Through These Fires (Musaicum Romance Classics). Grace Livingston Hill

help as anybody I ever saw. Get out of my way. I can't stand here forever!" And she edged her way slowly and ostentatiously into the house. Then with many sighs and groanings she was helped up the stairs to the bed Lexie had prepared for her. Even then it was some minutes before the unhappy invalid was settled on the bed, her hat off, her shoes unfastened, and the two assistants departed, thanking their stars that they did not have to stay around that unpleasant woman any longer.

      Lexie came hastily up the stairs after watching them depart, and felt that her war had begun.

      "You'll simply have to help me get into bed!" said her sister sharply. "I'm not able to sit up here another minute."

      "Of course," said Lexie gently, bringing skillful hands to the task. "I'm sorry you're feeling so miserable. Would you like me to go out and try to find a doctor?"

      "Mercy no, not out here. You'll have to telephone to the city for a doctor. I don't let every Tom, Dick, and Harry doctor me. I've been under a specialist, you know. Can't you find me a nurse before dark? I've simply got to have a nurse. I'm scarcely able to lift my hand to my head. The journey has been so hard on me—and the anxiety about Dick. It's been awful! I'm sure I thought my own sister would be sympathetic enough to provide a nurse for me and have a heartening meal ready."

      "I'm sorry, Elaine," said Lexie sadly. "I did all I could in the time you gave me. But you said you were bringing a nurse. I didn't know you would need one, you know. But wait until we get you comfortable in bed and then we can talk over what to do."

      "Talk over!" said Elaine with a rising voice. "What is there to talk over, I'd like to know? I should think you'd have all you could do to get us some supper and fix beds for the children, and find a nurse for me. You'll have to call up and get a servant, too, I should think. With three children we can't get on without at least one servant."

      "Elaine, we'll have to consider how we can do all that," said Lexie firmly but sorrowfully. "As I told you I have only enough money to barely exist until I get my job, and even that isn't here. I'll have to go back to college and graduate first. Have you money to hire a nurse and a servant and let me go to my work?"

      "Well, I should say not," said Elaine. "I'm down very nearly to the last cent as I told you. I expected you to finance that nurse and driver, but since you shirked out of that you'll certainly have to get the nurse and servant."

      "That I can't do," said Lexie. "I simply haven't got the money!"

      "Oh, very well," said the older sister coldly. "Have it your own way. We'll send for my lawyer in the morning and get hold of the money that belongs to me that your mother hoarded away, or I'll know the reasons why. Just suppose you go out and get some supper ready."

      Elaine dropped down with a sigh on the pillows and closed her eyes, and Lexie, with a hopeless look at her sister, turned and went downstairs wondering how she was going to work out this problem in a good and righteous way. How could she ever go through all this future that had suddenly spread itself out before her shrinking feet? This torture! Why did it have to come to her? Wasn't it hard enough without all this?

      CHAPTER III

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      Lexie cast a helpless look around the neat little kitchen and began rummaging in the pantry. Obviously the first need of the invalid was something to eat. Could she find anything?

      There was half a loaf of bread left, and a little butter. She could make some toast. If she could only find some coffee! Then suddenly she remembered a canister up on the top shelf where her mother used to keep coffee. Maybe there would be a little in it. She climbed up and took it down, and rejoiced to find two or three teaspoonfuls of coffee left. It must have been there some time, and probably wouldn't be as good as freshly ground coffee, but at least it was something. Hurriedly she went about making it, and soon had a little tray ready. Toast and coffee and a bit of jam from a jar in the preserve closet. There was not much of anything left since her mother was gone, but she was glad to find even a little that was edible.

      As she started up the stairs she sent a glance out-of-doors. The three children were out on the sidewalk watching the neighbors' children who had come home from school and were playing hopscotch. Thankful that for the time being they were occupied, she hurried up with the tray.

      "I found a little coffee in Mother's old canister," she announced cheerfully as she came into Elaine's room. "I made you a cup, a little toast, too. There isn't much butter, but it's better than nothing."

      Elaine turned over and scanned the tray scornfully.

      "That the best you can do?" she said hatefully. But she reached for the cup and drank the coffee thirstily.

      "I despise coffee without cream," she announced when she put down the cup.

      "Well, there wasn't any cream." Lexie smiled. "Of course there was nothing to do but bring what I had. And now, Elaine, if you're going to stay here for the night I'll have to go down to the store and get a few things. There isn't even an egg in the house, and there are only three slices of bread left."

      "Well, for mercy sake! Why don't you telephone for supplies? You can't be spared to go down to the store. Somebody needs to look after those children! And they'll be howling for food pretty soon. Be sure you get a lot of sweet things or Gerald won't eat a thing. Get cookies. And that butter wasn't so good. Get a better quality, even if you have to pay more. I can't eat strong butter."

      "Well, I'm sorry, Elaine, but that butter was some Mrs. Spicer gave me when I came yesterday, and I'm not sure I can get butter. You know we haven't any ration cards here, and you can't eat butter without points. The war is upsetting a good many old habits, but I suppose we have to be patient till things right themselves."

      "The perfect idea!" said Elaine. "Of course I brought my ration books along, but they are in the trunks. They won't come till to-morrow. It's outrageous! Can't you tell the storekeeper we have just arrived and I am sick?"

      "I can tell him, yes," laughed Lexie, "but I'm sure from what Mrs. Wilson told me the other day that it won't do any good. He is not allowed to sell butter without coupons. However, I'll find something somehow. Now lie still and take a little nap. Will the children be all right playing by themselves?"

      "Well, I'm sure I don't know. I certainly can't look after them," said the indifferent mother. "For pity's sake, don't stay long! And Lexie, while you're out, telephone my lawyer and ask him to come over right away, this evening if possible; if not, early in the morning. You'll find his address in my bag. I think I dropped it on the table in the living room as I came by. His name is Bettinger Thomas."

      "Elaine! You don't mean Bett Thomas! The boy you used to go to high school with!"

      "Why certainly!" said Elaine getting into her high, shrieking tone, prepared for an argument. "What's the matter with that?"

      "But, Elaine! My dear, perhaps you didn't know, but he's scarcely considered respectable. He's been connected with several shady cases the last few years. I don't suppose you'd heard."

      "Oh fiddlesticks! What difference does that make? He's a friend, and he's promised to see me through. I wrote to him. He was recommended to me out where I lived as being one who would carry his case no matter what, and that is what I want."

      "But, Elaine, he's unspeakable! You wouldn't want to talk to him. You can't ask him to come here!"

      "Can't I? Watch me! If you won't telephone him, I'll find somebody who can. Go hunt that nurse for me. She'll do what I ask her, and get her mighty quick, too!"

      Lexie stood at the foot of the stairs for a moment speechless, too angry to dare to utter a sound. Then she turned silently and went out of the house and down the street. Wild thoughts were rushing through her mind. How was she going to endure this? How could she go on? Was there any reason why she should?

      By the time she had reached the corner, and passed several smiling neighbors who greeted her cheerily, she had so far recovered her normal temper