There was a quiver of the eyelids now, a faint hesitating sigh. She touched her lips to his and spoke his name again. A faint smile flickered over his features as if he were seeing other worlds of beauty that had no connection here. But still she continued to press her face against his cheek and whisper his name.
At last he opened his eyes, with a bewildered, wondering gaze and saw her. The old dear smile broke forth: "Ruth! You here? Is this--heaven?"
"Not yet," she whispered softly. "But it's earth, and the war is over! I've come to help you get well and take you home! It's really you and you're not 'Missing' any more."
Then without any excuse at all she laid her lips on his forehead and kissed him. She had read her permit in his eyes.
His well arm stole out and pressed her to him hungrily: "It's--really you and you don't belong to anybody else?" he asked, anxiously searching her face for his answer.
"Oh, John! I never did belong to anybody else but you. All my life ever since I was a little girl I've thought you were wonderful! Didn't you know that? Didn't you see down at camp? I'm sure it was written all over my face."
His hand crept up and pressed her face close against his: "Oh, my darling!" he breathed, "my darling! The most wonderful girl in the world!"
When the doctor and nurse pushed back the screen and entered the little alcove the new nurse sat demurely at the foot of the cot, but a little while later the voice of the patient rang out joyously: "Doctor, how soon can I get out of this. I think I've stayed here about long enough."
The wondering doctor touched his patient's forehead, looked at him keenly, felt his pulse with practised finger, and replied: "I've been thinking you'd get to this spot pretty soon. Some beef tea, nurse, and make it good and strong. We've got to get this fellow on his feet pretty quick for I can see he's about done lying in bed."
Then the wounds came in for attention, and Ruth stood bravely and watched, quivering in her heart over the sight, yet never flinching in her outward calm.
When the dressing of the wounds was over the doctor stood back and surveyed his patient: "Well, you're in pretty good shape now, and if you keep on you can leave here in about a week. Thank fortune there isn't any more front to go back to! But now, if you don't mind I'd like to know what's made this marvellous change in you?"