Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-06-30
Number Twelve

over our land. and the call for nurses
came.
Now, as she entered the new ward
and passed slowly among the fever
stricken soldiers, her calm, brave face
seemed Of itself to bring healing.
But suddenly the sweet face grew
white and the firm hands trembled. A
sick man had raised himself from his
pillows and called her name: ELIZA
beth! Elizabeth
The eyes were wild with delirium,
but they were Winthrop's eyes, and it
was Winthrop's voice.
With steady hand she laid him back
upon his pillow, while the unconscious
eyes chung to her face with hungry
eagerness.
He calls out like that every now and
then,' the patient next him volunteer
ed. II wish his wife could come to
him."
His wife? The nurse rose slowly, and
looked before her with eyes that grew
suddenly dim. Yes, why not? 1t was
more than likely that he had married
In these ten long years. And was it
strange that his wife should bear the
same name as the friend Of his boy
hood? There were many Elizabeths
AS she nursed him she schooled her
self to feel that she was ministering to
him in that other woman's stead; that
other, who had the sweetest right to
minister. And one day he opened con-
scious eyes and saw her standing by his
cot. Elizabeth, is it you?" he asked
quietly. In his weakness it seemed not
strange that she should be there. And
she smiled and answered quietly,
though her lips were quivering.
But 1t was harder now than when the
veil of unconsciOusness hung between
them, to feel his eyes clinging hungrily
to her face, and the weak hands CROP
ing for her hands or gown. 1t grew
so hard she could not bear it, and made
her visits to the ward as few as posi-
BILE. But his fever rose again and she
had to come and soothe him.
"Why do you not come as you used ~
he complained with the unreasoning
querulousness of weakness; and she
satisfied him with evasive words. But
few days later she asked him, with
her eyes turned from him, if he, did not
wish her to write to his people-to send
some word to his wife.
"My wifev' he said, and looked at
her in amazement. 81 have no wife.
The woman loved, the only woman I
ever loved, could not believe in my
love. Do you not remember, dear, how
you could not believe that loved your"
Loved me?"
Those around noted only that the
nurse seemed to be speaking in low,
soothing tones to her restless patient
while she smoothed his pillow.
Yes, you; who else, sweetheart?' A
faint, weary smile played about the
mans lips. Have you not dreamt it
in all this time? You see it was real
love, Elizabeth; for it has burned pure
~ In my heart all these years. l have
tried to live purely and nobly for that
loves sake"
'And I-I-was Number Twelve? ~
she whispered.
The sick man next them saw the
nurse draw the covering carefully over
her patients hands; he did not see how,
under its folds, her fingers chung about
those weak hands.
mo, not the twelfth, dear, but the
first. For l never really loved any but
you"
DO you know I have been dreaming
dream" she said softly to him, as
she made her evening rounds.
What was the dream, sweetheart"
Il dreamt that we sat again on the
old porch, and you told me again of
losing your heart to Number Twelve;
and Ibid nOt-refuse to listen!"
And that dream came true.-New Or
leans Times Democrat.