Alma, don't cry! It's my cure. Just think, a good
man. A beautiful home to take my mind off--worry. He said tonight he
wants to spend a fortune if necessary to cure--my neuralgia."
"Oh, mama, mama, if it were only--that!"
"Alma, if I promise on my--my life! I never felt the craving so little
as I do--now."
"You've said that before--and before."
"But never, with such a wonderful reason. It's the beginning of a new
life. I know it. I'm cured!"
"Mama, if I thought you meant it."
"I do. Alma, look at me. This very minute I've a real jumping case of
neuralgia. But I wouldn't have anything for it except the electric pad.
I feel fine. Strong! Alma, the bad times with me are over."
"Oh, mama, mama, how I pray you're right."
"You'll thank God for the day that Louis Latz proposed to me. Why, I'd
rather cut off my right hand than marry a man who could ever live to
learn such a--thing about me."
"But it's not fair. We'll have to explain to him, dear that we hope
you're cured now, but--"
"If you do--if you do--I'll kill myself! I won't live to bear that! You
don't want me cured. You want to get rid of me, to degrade me until I
kill myself! If I was ever anything else than what I am now--to Louis
Latz--anything but his ideal--Alma, you won't tell! Kill me, but don't
tell--don't tell!"
"Why, you know I wouldn't, sweetheart, if it is so terrible to you.
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