The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-02-13

IN years ago; by his bedside stood the
table, with tumhler of water and c
bowl of fresh flowers lilies-of-the l.
ley. On another table, by the window,
burnt dim light! here were medicine
bottle, some few articles always found
in a sick-room, a couple of DOCKS,
more flowers and a roll of white linen.
In low chair, near the dim light, a
woman sat. He could only see her head
and narrow outline of her face. Her
head was thrown far back against the
pink cushion; her hair looked brown,
streaked with gold where the light
touched it. Her dress was black; he
could see the corner of white apron
and the curve of white collar, and
soft white cuffs against small white
hands. :.
He wished ne could see more of her;
he was afraid to move lest she heard
him. Evidently she was young; that
was good. Was she also beautiful, or
!. even pretty? Would she tie soft and
gentle and patient with him, or hard
and stern and matter-of-fact?
How peaceful it was in this little
room in the center of the great, silent
hospitals!
Such peace he had never felt before
in his life, though he had often sought
it. No one could come and worry him
here, or stare at him, or ask him stupid
questions. He did not care now wheth-
err: he grew better or worse so long as
he could lie in the silent room with the
picture of the snow-storm on the wall
and the lilies by his side on the table,
and the nurse asleep in, the chair, and
everywhere the calm and the peace.
1t was even better than his room at
. home. There his mother or his father,
his sisters and his brothers, would have
continually come and looked at him
and asked him how he felt, and why
he was so stupid, and why he was dit
ferent' tosfer people.
Here none could worry him. He was
safe. - 3
What time was it? Evening, prob
ably, or perhaps night.
No light came through the blind and
the gray, drawn curtains. He could
hear no sounds from the street, not
even the distant roar of traffic which
never ceases. (.
Should he speak to the nurse and see
what she was like? He very much
wanted her to be pretty. He still chung
to the stupid idea that if she were pref
ty she would be kind-and forgiving.
Did she know all about him-all that
other people knew or thought they
knew? But he did not need forgiveness
he had done nothing wrong; she
would only consider him like other
men. Well, that would be better than
thinking him $50 different to every
;. body else.' He was quite tired of hear
ing he was different"
He turned on his side again to sleep.
The nurse heard him. She rose and
came to the bedside and bent over him.
Are you comfortable? Do you want
anything?" |
He opened his eyes gratefully. The
voice was low and deep and soothing.
The thought also came to him that 1t
was forgiving voice.
mo, thank you-nurse. am all
right. 1 was just thinking how-hew
quiet and nice twas here. What time
is it? Nighttime, surely?"
1T is early morning, nearly
o'clock. You will hear the sparrows
awake soon, and begin to chirp and
chatter in the trees beneath your win
dow. Will you drink this medicine
now?"
He smiled. eyes, if you like; but the
knowledge has come to me that medi-
cine is no good. Idon't suppose shall
live long. don't want to live. have
nothing to live for. My ideals have
found only ideals; my dreams will come
to nothing. I only want to- seem to