Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-19
A BROKEN SWORD.
By j. H. Symes.

stan at the Hospital Of st. Luke, in
Paris, when Sister Clarice joined the
band Of devoted women who had re-
nounced the pleasures Of this world
for tAe trying and dangerous duties of
hospital nursing.
sister CIarlce was a mystery to me
from the first. She was so different to
the ladies who came to us. They, as
a rule, were sad; some recent trouble
or wrong had revealed to them the
holloWness and feetins nature of
mundane things, and in the fit of de-
lection that follows, they joined US.
Others came actuated by strong re-
nglOuS feelings; they were grave. But
Sister Clarice was neither grave nor
sad; indeed, whenever a patient need
ed cheering UP, the task was always al
lottcd to her, and she never failed.
10 the physiOgnOmist her face was
a study. At a glance one could see
that long ago some great sorrow must
nave swept across her life; and yet
the calm that sometimes follows such
storm and makes the evening of a
wrecked life SO beautiful, was hers.
Her hair was White-silvery white
and contrasted strangely with her
quick, youthful movements and grace
tu!, girliSh figure
Even the way she came to us was
unusual. The chief physician was sit
ting IN his room one morning. A lady
desired to speak to him; she was ad-
mitted. Briefly she stated that she
wished to join the staff of nurses at
tached to he hospital. She had no
experience of the duties, but was
willing to come for a time as a pro-
maEent appointment, she was pre-
pared to make over her small fortune
to the funds Of the institution. The
matter was laid before the committee
at their next meeting; Sister Clarice
was admitted, and, after a brief Serv-
ice as a probationer, became a resi-
dent member of the nursing staff. She
proved an excellent nurse, and though
but a fragile woman, had stronger
nerves, and could endure fatigue bet
ter, than many who were more rO-
bust. 1t mattered not what was the
duty-the operating theater. the acct
dent or fever Ward-Sister Clarice was
ever ready with deft, gentle hand and
cheerful smile
In the course Of a few months she
became our most valued nurse, for
she was devoted to her work and nat
urally quick at learning. For nearly
five years she worked without a days
illness. Unlike the rest Of our nurses,
Sister Clarice seldo. went out. Her
outdoor exercise was confined to walks
in the grounds of the hospital, which
were beautifully laid out; there, among
the flowers and cOnvalescent patients,
she spent some time daily. During
the time she was at st. Luke's no
one called to see her, excepting CRATE
full patients who owed their lives to
her good nursing. | often thought
it strange that she had no friends in
the world, but such appeared to be
the case, for she never received any
letters; indeed, we did not know her
name; on entering she expressed a
wish to be called Sister Clarice, and
by that name alone was known to US.
[ heard her history at last from a
source whence I least expected it
her own lips. From the first she had
been attracted to me by the resem-
blance to a dear friend she had lost
long ago; still, there was never any
exchange of condolences between us
until the end Of her fifth year at st.
Luke's At that time there was a
severe outbreak Of typhus fever in
Paris, and Sister Clarice had velun-
teered to take charge Of one Of the
wards in the isolated fever hospital.
She was only to leave us for little
while, she said, but we were all sorry
to lose her if for only a few weeks,
and there was the danger Of losing
her forever, for of all fevers typhus
is probably the most infectious. The
evening before she entered on her dan
gerous duties, she came to me and
said:
Or. Gerome, l have a great favor
10 ask you. You may not be aware
11dG dII Rather SupCISI1l4OuS
lave a strange presentiment that I
shall take the fever, and that this will
me my last spell of nursing"
But" 1 protested. at is not too late
for you to withdraw"
Not for WORLDS she replied, with
a smile. 1T is not that, and, indeed,
my fears may be groundless; but if
anything happens to me, I want you
to promise that you will carry out my
last request. It is that the contents of
a packet I will leave in your keeping
shall be buried with me. You will
promise me this, and ask no questions.
We have been friends always
[ promised faithfully to carry out
any wish she might have. She
thanked me, and turned to leave the
room. On reaching the door she
paused, hesitated for a moment, and
then returned to me. Laying her
hand on my arm she said:
Il should like to tell you a chapter
Of my past history"
She sat down. unused for a little
while, and then said:
Twenty years ago a young actress