The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-01-21
the ward he was about to enter. She

the ward he was about to enter. She
stopped.
"Nurse-did you write this letter to
me?" drawing one from his pocket as
lie spoke.
"Ycs. sir. | did" she replied. CHANGING
at him swiftly.
"Why?"
81 don't know"
"Has ii ever struck you that you are
a most outrageously cheeky woman 10
write like this to me?"
a deeper tide of red rushed over her
face. well" she considered, per
haps-"
lie laughed, glanced quickly up and
down the empty corridor, seized her
hands in one Of his-with the other he
held the handle of the door before which
they stood-and, bending, kissed her.
Just as quickly he turned away,
pushed open the door and went into
the ward. The sister in charge advanced
TO meet him. They went round the beds
together, and as ne listened gravely
she told him the history Of each case
since he had seen ii last.
Nurse Ruth was going off duty for
the afternoon when the house surgeon
called her. While she put On her black
bonnet and the long cloak that almost
hid her gown Of hlac-sprigged print,
she looked at herself and stopped tying
her bonnet to think. After frowning
| at her reflection for a moment she
| laughed. Then her changing mood
grew critical Of herself. She sighed and
thought really seriously
what an idiot | am to care two pins
| about him. When he talks as he did
to me to-day, | hate him. O, why is he
so nice? What a little fool I've been 10
| write to him. / wonder he speaks to
me. | must have been mad when did
it. I'll 30 away. l will! o! but" she
sighed. II love him.
She went out in n chastened mood,
and made her way quickly through the
crowded streets towards the river,
where the steps lead TO the steamboat
pier by London bridge. As she went
down them n man, coming just behind
her, stumbled heavily forward, and
would have rolled to the bottom had
not her hand outstretched in an instant
caught and steadied him till he regained
his balance. lie laughed while he
thanked her, saying: You were in the
right place then. nurse" She passed
on down to the boat and found a lonely
seat in the bows. The tide was out
helpless boats keeled owe in the slopes
of black mud on the Surrey side anc
the laden barges in mid-stream were
deserted. The sultry air hung heavily
and for the moment she would have
given anything to escape the monotony
of her life, TO secure some pleasure ant
fine clothes. She left the boat at Char
ing Cross and went into the gardens fol
a little time, though even here the sur
roundings gained upon her. A bant
that went smartly through some popu
lar airs. the brillliancy of the scarle
geraniums that the gardeners were bed
ding out, some children that played
near her seat-irritated her strangely
She gotup, therefore, and went toward
the old water gate on the chanc OF be
ing able to get into the Strand that way
Some one had told her the meaning 0
the motto above the gate: THE Cross !
the t~ouchstone of Faith"
Nothing but faith, nothing bu
crosses for mel" she murmured, per
versely. 20, how i wish! wish!"
She passed up buckingham street
and climbed on TO the top Of an omni
bus in the Strand. As she sat Their
nothing in the busy life they passe'