The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-02-28

lle was sitting In bis armchair taking
@ sun bath at q window that looked
cut on the dazzling white of melting
snow. His visitors had just LETT him.
at his Doctors orders lie was watt
Ing FOR the return Of "Nurse Blakely."
with an impotence which ne might
have recognized as longing II his phys
Teal weakness had not disguised af-
lection In him as an irritable lack Of
what ne wished to have. She came IN
light footed
lie crowed a feeble
"Ah-ha! Did you hear what the doc.
tor saidY
"What did he say?'
She arranged the pillows to ease the
strain on a weak back. lie was crate
ful for that and bis gratitude shono IN
his smile.
I'm TO be humored, the doctor said
I'm to have my own way In every.
thing"
Are your she said avoiding his
eyes. you certainly had your own
way about the fruit"
He laughed now at the folly that had
kept him a happy prisoner in the hos
pltal for the past nine weeks. "That
frultg' he said; that was the most de-
liclous-the most DO you know.
Nurse Blakely, thought those peaches
would kin me, but l was dying for
something to eat and l Just took
Them" She did not reply "a mans
a fool when he hasa fever. isn't he?"
he added with apologize seriousness.
"Only thenT' she retorted with OBJ
stlnate hippancy.
She was busylnG herself about the
room. He was watching her every
movement with an eye Of invalid ten
derness.
"Oh. I say" he protested, you don't
make any allowance for a fellow being
iug
She affected a professional cheerful
ness in the matter.
"Oh, you're well on your way to
health" she said. wen soon have
you back to your friends"
Nurse" he said, you're the best
friend ever had-or want to have"
Her clustered loneliness rose on her
in a surge of bitterness.
wait till you've been away from
here about u month. One feels very
dependent and-and affectionate when
one is I'll. It soon wears Off"
That's the way you always talk"
he said modify. Then, Frightening,
I'll report you to the doctor You're
not humoring me-"
She did not answer. She smiled
having warded Off the danger which
his milder manner had warned her Of.
She seated herself in a chair and took
up a book which she had put down on
the table when his visitors had en-
tered.
whats that?" he demanded peev-
ishly. what are you reading"
"Don'ts," she answered laconically.
"Don'ts9'
One Hundred Don'ts for Nurses"
she read from the cover. Things we
are not to do"
"Well, don't worry. Your sins have
been all Of omission. It's the things
you have not done"
She smiled serenely at the page.
you might read it out, at least" he
said.
Let me see" She turned the pages.
II think that is probably included in
the prohibitions Don't let others know
the secrets Of the profession"
He clutched the arms of the chair.
You're teasing me. Let me read
that book or I'll get up"
She laughed and passed 1t to him.
He began to read:
Don't sit in a rocking chair and rock
while resting" Don't injure the fur
niture in any way and be careful Of
all fancy decorations" He looked
about him. '"The wreckage has been
appalling in this palatial apartment"
He read again. "Well, great ELL" he
cried, and looked up at her. why, it
was your
"Wlat wasp
"Come here, please"
She went to him. He pointed with
a thin finger to an accusing Don't
kiss your patient"
She flushed under her dainty Swiss
cap.
"Not even delirious patients?" he
inquired
She turned her back on him from the
window.
''Not even those who have an FLU
mination Of reason" he persisted. She
could find nothing to say. do you
know" he said, Eve been puzzllng
over 1t ever since It was just before
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