Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-15
JACK BENNOCH'S NURSE.

JACK BENN0CH'S NURSE.
Jack Bennoeh was one of the thou
sands of young men who volunteered for
service at the commencement of hostiii-
ties with Spain. lie was fortunate
enough to be in one of the regiments or
dered TO Cuba and took part in the bat
tie of San Juan hill and the siege of
Santiago. escaping without a scratch.
If he escaped the Spanish bullets, how
ever, he was not so fortunate in escaping
the fever, and, like many OF his compan-
ions. returned to the States, his system
filled with typhoid and malaria.
Jacks family were spending the sam
mer Mt East Hampton, only few miles
from Montauk Point. where the regi-
ments returning from Cuba were landed.
As soon as furlough could be obtained
he was taken directly home and under
the loving care of his mother, four sis
ters, and-Elsie, was nursed back to
health and strength
1t was in the second week of his illness
that Elsie first appeared. Jack had
gradually been growing weaker and the
attending physician had warned the fam
lily to be prepared for the worst. That
very morning Jack awoke, as he thought,
to lind a strange and beautiful girl bend
ing over him. She had large eyes of 4
deep violet blue, and an abundance of
dark brown hair, Jack was certain. as
he gazed at her with devouring eyes,
that he had never seen anyone half 50
beautiful, or whose face expressed so
much goodness and love. His heart went
out to her on the spot, and he felt that
he would gladly die for one kiss front
thnEn hpnnfiful Iinc which no oh "a oh
his ardent look bent upon her, parted in
Il smile of infinite sweetness.
WHO are your he asked in whisper.
as if afraid that the sound of his voicu
would cause the lovely vision to disap-
pear.
Elsie is my name - she replied, in 4
sweet melodlQus voice. which made
Jacks heart beat Sastef, "and | have
come to help nurse you"
But where do you come from, and
who sent you, and how long are you go
ing to stay?" asked Jack eagerly
81 cannot tell you where | come from
or who sent me, she answered, land the
length of my stay depends upon your
self"
Upon myselfw cried Jack, delighted
"Fhen you will never leave me, for
love you and shall want you with me
always
"You must not think of love-" she said
smiling; you must think OF getting well;
to love me could only cause you unhap-
piness | am here to nurse you, and not
make you lovesick, so go to sleep, you
silly boy"
She laid her hand on his forehead and
smoothed back his hair. Her touch sent
thrill through every nerve in Jack $
body; he felt too happy to speak. Grad
nally feeling of drowsineSs came over
him, and he fell asleep.
The doctor came every day after what
the family called Jacks crazness" com
me;lced ''NCu must not mind his WAN
behring's" he said. 1T always occurs in
these severe cases. If we can build up
his system, lis mind will come round
all right
During this time of anxiety for the
family the days passed pleasantly enough
for Jack. He had never been SO happy.
Elsie was constantly at his side, and. as
it appeared to him, OWNED his slightest
wish. She was the only being that was
real to him. His mother and sisters
seemed like phantoms moving in and out
and their voices sounded far away. He
refused TO take the food and medicines
they brought to him. until Elsie ap-
pcared TO bid him do SO; then he took
them without a lnurmur.
1t seemed 20 Jack that there was moth
lug Elsie could not do to add to his COM
font and happiness. With her own
hands she made him the most delightful
dtShCs. never had he eaten such food he
fore, and he chuckled as he remembered
that the doctor had forbidden him any
thing except boiled milk and white OF
egg. To he sure he took these. but ii
was only 10 please Elsie and deceive the
family. who knew nothing of the spe, iSl
dishes which he and Elsie ate together.
In thr evening" Elsie would sit beside
hiG and pass Aer hands caresSingly
through his hair. and he would talk to
her of his love. for She no longer tried
TO stop him. and Jack felt sure that she
loved him also. though she would never
say SO, and only listened quietly when he
spoke of his hopes and plans, and built
glorious castles in the air auent the time
ne should get well.
Though Elsie would not speak of love
aud of Jacks hopes and prospects in this
world. she often spoke of the spiritual
world. and of the life to come. 1t
seemed to Jack that heaven was revealed
to him through her eyes and lips. and
never had he learned to reverence God
as he did thea.
"Elsic." he said TO her one n;ght-it
was the fifth week of his Illness. and
she had been talking to him of the life
hereafter-"t believe YOU are Yourself n
spirit. Nou seem to me too truly good
and beautiful to belong TO this world,
anu you SPEAK SO ConNlnCnSly and so
intelligihly Of the spiritual world that [
do not see how anybody who has no;
been there could :Alk of it as you do
Elsie bent Gown until her sweet face
was close To Jacks, as she said: Per
haps you have guessed rightly; ut any
rate, | am your good influence ana have
show you the road TO heaven. II YOU
follow it faithfully and upsWervingly {,
the end, you will meet me again and WI
shall part no more. Now, | must SAY
goodby" So saying, she kissed JacI
lightly on the lips.
With the imprint of that celestial ks,
he seemed to wake as from a SCUM,
sleep.
The crisis is over" he heard a voic,
saying, "and we shall soon have him OF
his feet again." 1t was the doctor, ans
H. -. -. 81, Ahn t,nnt,n h.r.. Ill