The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1900-02-28
SIMPLY BRAIN TROUBLE.
A RATHER DIFFICULT CASE.

hesitated. Nurse Bella was very young
and had been in training only a few
weeks, but the hospital force ran
short this morning, and there was
readiness and pluck in the look that
met his doubtful glance at her.
There's a rather difficult case as
signed to No. 20; do you think
"I'll try hard" with enthusiasm.
every well. There's brain trouble.
Keep him amused. II you get afraid,
ring"
She went to No. 20 jubllant, yet In
trepidation, too. brain trouble" Poor
fellow! The patient was looking from
a window. He turned and took q
quick step or two toward her, where
upon Nurse Bella backed and get
white.
II called in to see DR.. James, whe
Is an old friend of mine," he said,
when she continued silent; 'but II he
doesn't hurry" glancing at his watch,
81 shall not wait"
Poor thing" murmured Nurse Bel
Ia under her breath; she doesn't know
that he is prisoner" and to him gen.
tly. with beautiful compassion 10 her
eyes. she said, 81 came toto amuse
you"
why, that's awfnlly good of you"
looking much as If she had succeeded
in her purpose, but 1t may get you In
trouble, don't you think, with the
head nurse, or the doctorr'
1.-THE doctor knows"
"Oh, does he? Well" looking rather
puzzled, ''let me give You a chair"
"a place like this Is SO associated
with groans and mustard plasters that
/ should be getting pain somewhere,
by now, If you hadn't come"
"Oh, you will soon have no pain at
ALL The doctors are so good, and they
have given you such pretty rooms. 1t
is not all the patients who have coy
parlor looking out on the park. We
will all try, and l am sure" with "a
sweet earnestness, that you will soon
be we'll"
The patient stared an instant. then
broke into a low laugh, very pleas
ant laugh and becoming
II see," he said, you take me for
a patientY
There" thought Nurse Bella, chow
silly that was of mel OF course he
doesn't know, poor, dear thing, that
anything is wrong with him." And to
him she said hurr.iedly. with a smile
that entreated forgiveness, 81 did not
mean that. Why. you look as If you
had never" brightly, never been ILL.,"
THAT'S right" with n genial nod.
Il never have. Good thing for the
nurses, isn't it2''
"Whyf" looking startled.
II might growl. you know. Pains
an awful thing. Why. I've seen
man go wild over racking headache;
so wild"
How terrible! Would you like,
would it help, IL were to rub it?"
Its very good of you,' coloring
some, but l wasn't speaking of my
head. You see, mine is as right as
trivet"
Here the door opened, and the pa
tient started eagerly toward It, bnt
Nurse Bella was too quick for him.
There was a glimpse of man with
tray Of tiny glasses, then In n sec.
ond Nurse Bella held one and the door
was shut.
"By Joye," said the patient softly,
and stood looking at her She was a
bit nervous and breathless. She came
toward him with great earnestness.
"Will you drink this, please?"
See here" and n storm threatened
la the patients eye. 1--WE explained
to you that there's nothing the mat
ter with me-"
"You must" firmly, but with white
lips, ''or l must ring for help"
Ring" eagerly. where's the bellY'
But she was standing In front of the
bell, and, after hesitating an instant,
he again made for the door. There
was no time for ceremony. Nurse Bel.
la spilled the whole contents of the
glass over his vest In her rush to in
tercept him, and very dangerous, in
deed, the patient looked until he
caught her eye Through all her ter
ror Nurse Bella felt thrill of pro-
fessional pride at sight of this swift
change.
Il beg your pardon" he said very
gently. Il would not have frightened
you so for anything. See, I'll stand
here backing meekly toward the
wall, perfectly still while you ring
and"-
But there was hurried step outside
and DIR. James's voice said:
There's mistake somewhere"
"Ah,' asscnted the patient dryly.
$50 1t seems to me-"
The doctor came in on his remarks
and began to laugh.
My dear Miss Bella" he said, slet
me introduce my young fri, nd, DR..
Haliston. He is-by some absurd blum
der-in his right mind"
IF you will forgive me for fright
ening you," said DR.. Haliston, cross
ing eagerly to his nurses side, land
take the case under further considera-
which she did.-Buffalo Ex
press.