The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-12-02

Harold Western had been ill for
four weeks with typhoid fever, and
was now only a shadow OF his real
self, subject to nervous starts and
chills, and with just strength enough
to turn in bed.
It was in the chill hours of early
dawn that he woke with start and
missed the familiar figure that had.
haunted his bedside for 80 long-a
blue and white figure with kind, quiet
face above it and cool, helpful hands
that always did just the right thing.
Nurse" he called, family, and
moment more brought the day nurse
from the next room. Her blue and
white uniform was gone and her stiff
white cap. In their place she wore
soft wrapper, and her hair was plated
in heavy braid that hung below her
waist She turned up the gas, drew
low stool 20 the bedside and sat
down.
"The night nurse has gone" she
began, quietly. ''You are so much
better we thought 1 could manage
alone. You have slept nearly all night,
Mr.. Western, and now / shall get you
your milk, and you will go to sleep
again.
He followed her lazily with his eyes
while she lighted the alcohol lamp
aud put the porringer Of milk over it.
Then she sat down on q chair, her
head dropped on her breast and she
slept soundly for five minutes, waking
when the milk was hot as easily as
though she were some sort OF machine
adjusted to rest just SO long.
'fSe. there were two of you," lie
said, as she came forward with the
milk.
She sat down on the stool by the
bedside, holding the drinking tube to
his mouth. This action brought her
quite close, and he noted, as he drank,
the soft sheen of her hair, the delicate
curve OF her cheek, the long lashes
shielding her eyes, the firm, sweet
mouth and the strong white hands that
were ministering to his needs.
"You are Nurse Dimple," he said,
as he finished. 81 don't remembe,
the other one."
She showed two dimples as she an
swered, "Yes, that is what you have
called me ever since l came. nj,
name is Wade-Emily Wade"
'T like my name BEST" he an
swered.
VERY we'll, but now you are to g.
to sleep"
But the patient was not 30 easil.
disposed of.
..Nurse Dimple." he began as sh
turned away, ''do patients ever lie
member what they said and did whel
they were delirious? ~,
al don't know" she answered.. Il
thew do they never spoke to me OF II
hone they do not, for most OF Their
would feel ashamed OF themselves
they did"
iYou meant that for me, and yo
know remember that l insisted o
vour calling me Harold or l wouldn
take my medicine or my nourishmen
And you did it, too" And d
laughed weakly at the remembrance
II shall call you something wors
than your Christian name il you tai
anv more. Go to sleep. And sh
rassed her hands over his forehea
until drowsiness overcame him.
The next two weeks were very ha7
IN the Young man and consisted
long maps with occasional irfi'a'li
calls to drink Cruel or milk.
AT last came a morning when u
Goo cleared from his brain and
WOKE refreshed. Before him stoe
tbe nurse in fresh blue and Will
dress and snowy cap above her SO
brown hair.
IA whole egg this time, Mr.. Yves
crn and YOU look as though you cou
take it. F."
He took his egg and asked meek
II he might be allowed to talk and W
Granted ten minutes. After he hi
learned the day of the week and mol
he aske n ldenly:
"Did that night nurse ever col
hack. or have you taken care OF
alone all this timer"
mot qui.c alone" she ans~ere
.syour sister, Mrs. Albright, 81
Win YOU every other afternoon, a
Miss Violet Grant takes the alterns
d.v She sits in the dressing roc
nd rings the bell if You stir. )
Is too shy to run the risk OF your W. !,
ing and finding her here. Sn a.; !, !
brought a bunch of these VOL
every morning early and inquired
you. !,
..she is q little wood violet hersel.
hc exclaimed, CALAMITY. nu. put, :
Nurse Dimple. are very rose
troshness this morning. ! pre-
roses. /" ~.
"spare your compliments. Mr. "
-, You are getting too wen 10
- lived 10 talk nonsense.
\ h. les. am better, thanks to =
- he said, soberly; "out !, !. !
care. 5 be allowed to say What Ill 'n !.
not N 81 tuward Won I shll wish