The Western news., 1904-07-06
IN THE
HOSPITAL
BY CRITTENDEN
MARRIOTT
Copyright, 1901, by T. C. Mcclure

month that he had been there had not
served to change the habit of sight
fixed by all the years that had gone
before
Its for tonight, isn't it, Miss Lee"
he cried. recognizing her step TO
night I'll get rid of these confounded
bandages and see the light of day once
more. Oh, you don't know how this
month has dragged! It's for tonight.
isn't it,"
Il believe so,' returned the nurse
gently. But of course the doctor will
have to decide. He'll be here soon.'
Cad! How glad I'll be to see once
more" cried the man. Il never could
hadn't been for you. You've been an
angel to me-"
The nurse blushed softly and cast
very tender look at the man. She an
swered merrily: "All the nurses here
would have been the same. Nine pa
tients out of ten think we are angels
while they are in the hospital. They
change their minds afterward."
Il never shall. DO you know, after
all, despite all the pain and the anxiety.
l am glad this thing happened"
"Why?"
"Because it has enabled me to know
| you. Oh, of course l have known you
| to speak to for months and by sight
for years, but that isn't knowing how
tender, how sweet, how long suffering.
| you could be. Oh. Miss Lee-Ger-
trude"-
flush! The doctor said you must
keep cool, you know. Excitement
might injure your eyes"
The man sank back in his chair
"True." he said slowly, Il forgot that
l haven't any right to speak now.
forget that the result of this operation
isn't absolutely certain and that may
be hlind-mercy, blind!-and that in
any case l must mend my fortunes be-
fore There, is that the doctor com
ing?"
The nurse glanced out of the open
door into the hall. YES" she said: che $
just down the corridor way. You're
not going back to your old position
right away, are you. Mr.. Scott? You
oughtn't to try your eyes for year or
so, you know"
II suppose not. But needs must. you
know, when certain gentleman drives.
Ill be dead broke when l get out of
here. and I'll have to 60 to work. All,
there's the doctor!'
The doctor entered and stood for a
few moments talking to the man.
"Yes." he said at last; well take the
bandages Off tonight, think"
THANK God! And-and there's nc
doubt that everything will be all right
is there, doctor?''
"We'll hope for the BEST" returned
the doctor cheerily, his tone very
comfort in itself, although his words
were not especially SO. He passed out
Of the door hurriedly, preventing fur
ther questions and beckoning to the
nurse as he did so to follow him. 4
few steps down the corridor he halted.
Nurse" he said, with a worried look
on his face, do you know whether
your patient has any relatives near
by"
"I'm sure he has not" answered the
girl readily. "I've talked with him re
peatedly and learned all about him
He doesn't seem to have a relative il
the world"
The doctors face grew graver. "How
is he off for money!"
"He just told me that he would b'
dead broke when he got out Of here
He said he must at once go back Il
work."
"Back to work at once! He'll b.
lucky if he ever gets to work again."
The nurse grew white. "Why?" sh
gasped II thought the operation wa
, certainty"
"a certainty! Yes, it is certaint,
almost, but in the wrong direction
There isn't one chance in hundre'
! that he'll ever see again.
With a mighty effort the nurse mas
tered her emotion. But, DOCTOR" sh
gasped, what will become Of him?"
| Become of him7' echoed the doctc
irritably Become of him? What bt
I comes of blind men who have n
: friends and no money! Wen kee
} him as long as we can, and then I SUI
Z pose he'll have to go to the poorhous
\ for the rest Of his life"
I A flush Of anger succeeded the pa
I lor of Miss Lees face. "Why have 70
deceived himY' she demanded indil
\ nantly, with utter disregard Of the n
I quirements of discipline. "He is SUI
8 that he will get we'll. He is buildin
4 on it absolutely. II he doesn't'-
The doctor looked curiously at til
girl. Then sense Of comprehensive
came over him. He sighed. He We
IN old man, but not a callous one. -
you want him to see again, Miss Lee
: he said, "be sure to keep him thinkir
so. In that lies his one chance. kee
Z. him cheerful ut all hazards, and poss
y bly,
X The doctor turned away, and Il
. nurse slowly retraced her steps
y Scott's room. She had known Hem
3 Scott for year or more and had lik,
ID and admired him from the first.