The record-union., 1897-12-29

before twelve tomorrow his pension
will be lost, and the old folks have not
a penny in the world. 1t sounds mer-
cenary, but it does not hurt the lad, and
it will help the old people. Work to-
night for them, nurse
Thus the order was given in love,
and the grave young nurse who was left
in charge moved out and in silently.
now at this bed, now at that, carrying
cut the directions for the night.
Mackay must live till tomorrow at
twelve
Through the wards with their dim
night shades and the darkened corri-
dors she trod, stimulating when the
pulse was low, sponging when the blood
ran high, helping here, soothing there,
and the night crept on.
Ten o'clock D. M. Mackay," she read,
"one drachm ergot: Min. IL. digitalis;
Min. /. strychnia; and-he must 1--we,
Cne drachm whisky"
Eleven o'clock p. m, Mackay, one
drachm whisky" The thought had
gained precedence in her mind. Twelve
o'clock p. m. She crossed the quad
rangle hurriedly to the ice house, ana
returned in time to send the relieving
nurse to the ward when the sound or
footsteps without gave warning or the
Residents midnight visit. The ward
was dark, save for the light focused into
one spot under the night shade. The nre
fiickered dimly and all round stretched
the white beds with the emaclated frame
of a human being on each. The DOCTOR
stood a moment within the DOORWAY
What a life for a girl" he thought.
Then he turned to the corner peo. no"
are your patients, nurse? he salo.
..They are fairly we'll" she answered.
except Mackay and little Brown IN the
next ward. He is a head case. tnlnK.
If you order it I shall prepare an Ice
bag for him; his temperature is very
high"
and Mackay?" the doctor interro-
gated.
rs going to die" the nurse added
"but l hope he will not die with me-
Dr. Muir"
Il hope he won't, nurse. 1t is enough
TO bear in the daylight with the nee
essary help at call, but in the night, IN
this ghastly light and loneliness! DO
you like nursing?" he sad as ne looheu
round and shuddered.
But Nurse Medley had not heard his
question. II W DIS Obii1A eAAeNAA
motives which made her so earnest for
her case.
Il may give him a drachm of whisky
if l think it necessary, DR.. MUIR?
Yes. and l shall make another call
after the early hours
Thank you" Then the girl touched
the bell for the relieving nurse and LED
the way to the other wards.
Aleck Mackay had hard struggle.
From to marks the time when HE
ebbs lowest for the sick man. Nurse
Medley scarcely left the corner oed'
and when the beautiful golden sun rose
slowly out of the Forth and quickened
the dead landscape with its life, she
sank exhausted on a chair and waited
while the life ebbed away.
How is the patient?" The Resident
was there again. Better"
No; nearer death. l have prepared
the hypodermic, doctor"
He looked curiously at the girl. She
had made a brave fight, and looked
as if she would not yield yet. But the
day streamed in through the half
closed screens and showed her face
drawn and white.
do you think he will live till night
again, doctor?"
Impossible; he is going fast now
He looked round till his eye rested on
a black empty bedstead in the far cor
ner To night when you come on duty
there will be two empty bed frames in
stead of ONE he said.
He was right. Mackay died ere the
tired night nurses sought their pillows.
He lived till quarter TO II. - Helen
Davidson, in New York Evening Ex-
press.