The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-24
Our Daily SE)ort Story

lspine, splitting headache racked him with its torture, and as night came on fever leaped in his veins. l At night he tossed, thirsty, sleepless and half delirious, while grinning de- mons chased up and down the bare walls of his room.
 When morning came a blind in the l house opposite was turned, and wo- mans pretty face looked anxiously out at the bobbing scarlet sign. | Aunt Amanda, it's a crying shame to let poor man die, perhaps, in a Christian community, and not a soul go near him. My mind is made up. I am going over there immediately" said the owner of the face.
 But. Blanche. dear. you came here to rest-and then the risk you know. my child"
 T have rested. auntie, and am well protected by vaccination. The love of tmy profession as well as duty calls 1 me. .e1
 l A few minutes later, Blanche Gordon, | having made friends with the bulldog. stood at the sick mans side, regarding him with cool, critical eyes. A long white apron. which had gone through a bi-chloride of mercury bath, enveloped ! her trim figure, and a cap, treated in like manner. protected her blonde hair | from infection.
 T am a trained nurse from Atlanta" |" she said quietly, would you like to have me do something for you?" Yes" was the grateful reply. | Let me see your tongue. please" Her skillful fingers ran along~his wrist as she asked few questions. You have grippe, with pneumonia symptoms. That placard at the door Is a sham"
 Yes"
 What was your object?" T have a position in Atlanta of heavy responsibility. The tension grew so great could bear 1t no longer. I wanted to rest. to write. to get away from people, from everybody--every- body"
 The nurse turned to the chair where she had thrown her cloak.
 What are you going to do?" he ask ed fretfully.
 T belong to the class you mention. People-everybody."
 Don't go. I am thirsty and sick" he moaned.
 The girl threw down her cloak and brought him 8 glass of water. For three days and nights the cool-headed nurse fought-sleepless and single handed-with the pleuro- grippe demon until he loosened his hold. then she disappeared. and Aunt Amanda. who had been lowering in the background, came to the front with broth and stim- ulants. During the hours of his de- lfrium, it seemed to Owsley that the chasing imps on the wall had changed to floating cherubs, with dove grey eyes. In a few days the convalescent was able to take Pullman car back to the city. Pleading weariness. Miss Gordon declined to make him the visit he craved, visit that was not profess sional. and the young fellow was forced to write his farewell and thanks.
 How good you have been to me, my dear Miss Gordon" he scribbled, feebIy. T am sorry to have been such a beast ly nuisance, and wish that I might think clearly enough to tell you some thing of my gratitude. I shall try to do so later. For the present believe me to be your devoted
 Harry owsley."
 A month slipped away and the rose vines about Aunt Amanda's Veranda were sending out their long green shoots Blanche Gordon in the morn ing sunshine was trying to fasten a re- fractory climber to the pillar above her This was her last day of vaca- ton. Tomorrow she must go back to duty and work in the city hospital.
 Let me do that for you" said a voice at her side. with a suddenness that nearly made her fall from the rickety ladder.
 MT. owsley." she exclaimed, de- scending and giving him her hand in cordial welcome. T am glad to see that smallpox has not left you marked in any way" She smiled sarcastically.
 The scars are there, though you do not see them" he answered gravely.
 But there is no constitutional weak ness. trust, as a result of that dread disease" she continued. In mocking tones.
 "Yes, find my hearts action seri- ously impaired Miss Gordon, at the age of 21 I had my first love affair. The girl turned out to be shallow, soul less little fiirt, and. dllusioned, Il thought that I had done with women forever. But let me remind you. since you are bent on teasing, that vaccina- ton does not always render one im- mune. At the expiration of seven years--a period in which, they tell us. the entire system is changed--I have become innoculated with pair of dove gray eyes. and have. at last, genuine case of love. from which I shall never recover. Miss Gordon, love you. I