The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-12-05

OTcy, III as ag1TleSeu Il tone as Such a
good-natured pair of lips could emit.
you've got enough to live on, and
you'd be sure of being taken care of if
you hadn't. You are just like my own
child
Il know it, dear Mrs Grey, but that
is not what | mean. want to do some
good in the world, or shall surely be
miserable all the rest of the life which
you and DR.. Franklyn have famed
again into existence. | would like to
be sick-nurse. and l shall depend up
on you to get me position where /
can learn to be one. VIII you, doctor?"
You must get strong and well first,
Miss Willis; and then we will talk the
matter over"
Then you do not discourage it? Oh,
thank you, thank you? l will prove
to you what is in me when the time
comes.n
Il have no doubt of it,n said DIR.
Franklyn gravely. THE bravest souls
and the most successful workers are
often attracted to this field of labor as
an outlet for sorrow. The fires of
atfiiction are sure to bring out the
purest gold in some characters.
A few tears forced themselves out of
Sylya's eyes in spite of her efforts to
keep them back.
Then you know about-about my
my Charlie?" she sobbed
"Yes; have heard the sad story,
and ! can understand why you crave to
devote yourself to the task of relieving
suffering. One forgets to brood over a
the sights and hearing the sounds that
tell of mortal agony. You have chosen
your vocation wisely. You have now
motive for which to live
There was a look of peace upon
Sylvas face which kept Mrs. Grey
from pouring forth the tide of remon-
strances which trembled upon her
tongue, and of which she had meant to
give sylvia the benefit after the doctors
departure.
Perhaps he is right. 1t has given
my poor dear motive to live for. I'd
rather have her alive than lay her in a
coffin, even if she is going to turn into
a sick-nurse. Though | can't bear the
idea of a pretty creature messing about
with physic and drugs and bandages,
and having to put up with the whims
Of folks who've got the hypo and such
like" she muttered to herself after she
had left Sylva's sick-room.
Thus was Sylva's vocation decided
upon, and her thoughts turned from
herself and her own sorrows to cluster
around the duties which would devolve
undertake them.
Time passed on, and after the re-
quisite study and practice in the Nurses
Training School, Sylvia entered upon
her work in hospital. There was no
duty, however arduous, that she proved
unequal to perform. No hand could
be gentler, or more steady, than hers
were it in holding wounded limb for
a surgeon to dress, or in supporting
and soothing a well-nigh exhausted
sufferer. The magic of her sympathy
was of as much use. in a spiritual sense,
as was her skiiful attendance in a
bodily one. Thus, lifted up and out OF
herself, Sylva'S mind was at peace. She
had no time for vain regrets in the
press of her muItitudnouS duties.
But to another had come a feeling
which was less pleasure than pain.
For, intimate as Dr. Franklyn had
grown with the young nurse thus en-
rolled among his co-WorkerS in the
battle with sickness and suffering, he
well knew that his love for her was as
hopeless as though it had been at
tracted by one of the bright and dis
tant stars in heavens innumerable
hosts.
Often did he find her bandaging a
,,-,,,,,I Inft 1iftino
draught of refreshing liquid to parched
lips, and at the same time the rapt, far
away look in her clear eyes told that
her thoughts were dwelling upon the
lover who might be sleeping fathoms
down beneath the foam-crested waves.
If there glimmered vain hope that
in time he might venture to sue for
Sylva's love, he relentlessly smothered
it in its inception.
Still, the heart of man is a strange
and complex piece of machinery, and
its workings are often most surprising
to the owner. So it was that for once
the strong honorable man found him.
self face to face with q temptation
which ranged the powers of good and
of evil in battle array within his soul.
The conflict was distressing one, but
right conquered at last.
Even Sylvia had noticed the change
in him, and had been distressed by it;
for to see friend in trouble was sure
to enlist her sympathies. The new soft
ness in her manner to DR.. Franklyn,
born of apprehensions in his behalf,
added another temptation to those
which had already beset him. But he
came off victor at the end.
sylvia" said DR.. Franklyn one
morning after his daily rounds through
the wards had been taken. Il have
something to say TO you. Are you
strong enough to hear it?"
Sylvia looked up at him anxiously.
rs it bad news?n she asked.
1T is not always bad intelligence
that overcomes, Sylvia" he answered
gravely Il have heard of heart
breaking with too much joy"
'.Dr. Franklyn, your words arouse
strange hopes within my heart! Do you
know that good news can only come
from one source? You do. l see it in
your looks, Oh. tell me the truth at
once. can bear it! / am srong-I
am not weak
''You are right. The intelligence l
have for you will cause a asnew life to
dawn for you from this time. Charles
Miller is alive. and have been the in
strument, under Providence, to restore
him to his promised wife. Be calm,
Sylvia, as you promised me you would
be. l have arranged that another
nurse shall relieve you Of duty thls
morning. So 60 and put on your
wraps and / will take you to him."