Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-08-10

s'Sibley will be here in day or two. "
ssThanls the Lord for all His mercies,.'
''And Dennis too
: A wan smile fitted over her white
face, and, closing her tired eyes, she fell
asleep with her lovers name on her lips
| and her hand lying like snowflake in
black Dido's clasp.
CHAPTER XIV.
| Why should not one derive all the
satisfaction that could possibly be ex-
tracted from grumbling to ones hearts
content. when there was ready to ones
hand patient, equable hospital nurse,
| into whose discreet bosom one might
empty ''cart loads of family secrets
| without the slightest danger Of their
ever being hauled up again?
Dick Lorimcr, aching and bruised.
disappointed and Disguised, feeling that
he had made a thorough mess of very
important mission, Immediately re-
solved to Svail himself of that privilege
the very next time his particular
'.white-cap'' took her seat by his cot
He would like to have some sort OF
name to call her by. Nurse was
simply ''beastly." She had such soft
little hand, such great serious eyes,
such a tender way about her when she
asked q fellow how he ''felt now
that it was almost mot Quite enough
to reconcile "a fellow to broken leg
He said as much to the surgeon on
his rounds, adding: 81 would like to
know what you all call her, doctor''
"'Mrs. Hamilton is what we call
her. Yes, all the sick folks fall in love
with her. You are only obeying an in
exorable law of your nature. Here she
comes now
Adown the long spotlessly white
room, whose colorless polished cleanli-
ness was in itself an aggravation to
Dick, who loved life in all its warm
tints, its vivid phases, came the nurse
towards them. The surgeon greeted
her with: You are to let this dam
aged young man talk as much as ever
he pleases, Nurse Hamilton. We want
him kept quiet, but he is more apt to
keep his leg still while his tongue
wags. Doubtless there is letter to be
written to somebody. There always is
in these cases"
"Yes. And I want you to write it,
Dick fred his answer to the surgeons
suggestion point-blank at the nurse.
He had turned his head sidewise to look
into the clear steadfast eyes that had
such strange fascination for him. If
he was not mistaken, that was the very
thing she was trying to prevent.
you will write it for me, will you
not, Mrs. Hamilton?''
s'Of course will. See, will be back
presently with writing-materials.''
When she returned with her portfolio
she had on blue glasses.
''What did you do that for?'' Dick
Ill. IL L i
tinent resentment. ''Those goggles. I
mean"
ITO make myself comfortable" She
opened the portfolio and selected
sheet Of paper. 81 am ready"
''But l am not" he answered, petu-
lantly: "and If you don't mean to let me
look at you while I am debating, I'll
make mess of it. That's about all I'm
fit for, anyway
''For what?"
For making a mess of things
''You mean your leg? You should not
have tried to jump on the car while it
was in motion. There is enough time
for all our needs, if we would only take
it,
''This looks like it, don't it?'' He in
Dictated his helpless leg by an angry
touch of his long brown hand. II
needed just ten more minutes yesterday
than 1 could manage to procure. I
would have been steaming up the river
toward White Cliffs, instead of lying
here with broken leg, if could have
found it,
But you have plenty of time to get
well in,' said Nurse Hamilton, with
smile which Dick mentally pronounced
twice as sad as tears. $50 my theory
holds good, after all. Now, then, won't
you please begin?''
sob, say, please sit where can look
at you without making a corkscrew of
my neck
Thus directly importuned. Mrs. Ham
ilton moved fraction more directly in
his line Of vision.
Il wish you hadn't put those blinkers
on, and wish could see you without
that cap; it's a regular Disagreement.
And you don't belong to them, nor they
to you"
The clear white of Nurse Hamilton's
smooth cheeks was suddenly stained a
vivid red. She did not look at him as
she administered her rebuke:
you must not talk to me SO. You
are "a silly, impertinent boy, and shall
send another nurse to you. l will not
stay"
She raised her hand with a quick ges-
ture. She was too late. Her white
friilcd cap was swaying triumphantly
on the apex of Dicks daring fingers
Yes, you viii, .Norrie. 1 knew I
could not be mistaken. knew your
voice. You couldn't put it in mob
cap and blue goggles. Now then''-he
flung the cap upon the foot of his bed
81 have not made such an Internal mess
of things after all; for 1 have found
you.''
She was looking at him with wide
eyes through mist. He had called her
''Norrie,' and the ice crust that had
been forming over her chilled and lone
ly heart suddenly broke up under the
warmth of the boys caressing tones.
In the six short months of her life at
White Cliffs Dick had been her most at
tached squire. This. the youngest of all
the Lorimer boys, had been special
favorite of hers, and she of his His
little sister, his Madame john" and
his Princess Norrie- had been pleasant
to remember. She had no grievance
here. She leaned toward him with dewy
eyes.