The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-27

III.
A few seconds thereafter nurse Mary Lin
ton sat alone in the shade OF her lamp
behind her screen She was gazing into va
cancy her cheek on her hand, ard she was
thinking wildly. 1t has been wisely said
that love, which to a man is but ar episode
or at best q part of his life. is woman's
whole existence. Mary Linton believed that
Jack Urquhart loved her; but there could
be no doubt that his profession counted
with him before his love. He was dear
feIlow-tha dearest in the world-and she
trusted him implicitly; but he was going
off to India to practice his profession under
the most difficult circumstances. exposed
TO the creates. dangers and with the barest
prospect of lettering his condition. He
would either desire her to go out there to
marry him or he would come home as poor
as when he went away in all but expert
ence, TO set up as general practitioner
with a house and a wife in some busy,
humble neighborhood. She knew that in
either case she could not-she would not
refuse him.
But. oh, she feared the life she knew she
must lead. Was she not the daughter of
general practitioner? And did she not re-
member how fierce. how bitter, how heart
breaking had been the struggle to maintain
the necessary show of respectability-to get
food and clothing and education for FAM
lily? Had she not, moreover, sisters and
brothers younger than herself whom she
had always dreamed of helping generously?
And how could she do that as the wife of
struggling general practitioner? The iron
of poverty had entered into Mary Unions
warm heart and made her bitterly prac-
teal.
She took her hand from her cheek sat
erect and considered another view. Jack
was very clever surgeon. If he had money
he could afford to start as specialist with
house in Brook street or Harley street.
He could afford to wait for patients-pa-
tients who could pay big fees-and still
maintain his connection with the hospital
to keep his hand in and continue learning,
for either surgeon or physician. to continue
expert, must continue to learn whilst he
continues to practise. Then, without any
screwing or pinching. she could help both
sisters and brothers.
And why was Jack Urquhart not wealthy?
For the most foolish little reason in the
word. Another person was less than
month older than he-a person who ap-
parently had lived in sloth, luxury and dis
sipation, who was of no use to anybody,
and whose life now lay trembling in the
balance. And the balance in her hand!
Mr.. Golding, the operating surgeon, had ex-
pressed a fear that he could not live
through the night If his heart was not
kept steadily beating with injections of
ether. She had not told Jack that. Why
had she not told Jack that?
Yes, the balance of Cecil Urquhart's life
was in her hand! And her heart began to
beat wildly. furiously. with the thought.
the possibility, that hammered In her brain.
The balance was in her hand. and she could
tilt It this way or that-towards life or
towards death And all she need do was
nothing. To refrain from doing anything!
If she kept away from the bed with the
screen about it-that was all. and none need
be any the wiser.
She started to her feet, with her night
list in her hand. Number five was set down
for a poultice every two hours; number
ten for an egg beaten In milk every three
and that had TO be carefully poured into
his mouth. because an operation had been
performed on his tongue; and so forth. and
so on. She moved noiselessly about to full
I'll these duties. In and out among the
beds. and up and down the ward. gliding
Ike ministering angel Of light and sooth-
| ing and peace.
Number Six" she murmured ID the ear
Of one. '.your medicine
Ar4<1