Part 28 (1/2)
”I'm feeling a little uneasy about Dorothy. I got a letter this morning from Aunt Carrie, saying she was not feeling so well. The doctor was going to see her to-day, and, if she got worse, they said they'd telegraph.”
Ray looked at her sister in consternation.
”What would you do then?”
”I would have to go at once to Philadelphia.”
”And Kenneth just come home--oh, Helen!”
”I couldn't help it. Kenneth couldn't go. Somebody must go. The child could not be left alone. Who should go better than its mother?”
Ray made a gesture of protest.
”Well, don't let's imagine the worst. Dorothy won't get worse.
To-morrow you'll get a rea.s.suring letter, and your worries will be over.”
”I hope so,” smiled Helen.
Leaving the task of sorting the knives and forks Ray came over to where Helen was standing. The young girl pointed to all the vases filled with the crimson roses.
”How do you like that?” she exclaimed.
”Beautiful!”
There was a brief silence, both women being preoccupied by their thoughts, when Ray, in her usual vivacious, impulsive way, burst out:
”Sis, I have something to tell you.”
Helen looked up quickly.
”Something to tell me--something good?”
”I'm so happy! I'm engaged at last.”
”To Wilbur, of course?”
”Yes.”
Helen gave an exclamation of joy.
”Oh, I'm so glad. When did it happen? Tell me all about it--quick.”
”He proposed to-day, and I said yes. We're to be married in two months.”
The next moment the two women were in each other's arms.
”I'm so glad--so glad,” murmured Helen. ”I hope you'll both be very, very happy.”
”We certainly shall if we are like you and Kenneth. Wilbur says that your example is the one thing that decided him to make the plunge.”