The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1904-10-13
THE PRETTY NURSE.

McGregor opened his eyes and cast
a bewildered look about the place. 1t
was his own room; there was no doubt
whatever about that. There were the
riding hats. the hunting crops. the
spurs on the wall.
Something stiff and unyielding en-.
cased his left leg; his left arm was
rigidly bound in splints.
He put his right hand to his face.
II was absurdly decorated with sur.
geons plaster and a bandage was
swathed about his forehead. The odor
OF carbolic and iodoform filled the
room.
His head throbbed strangely. and
sharp pains shot through the left arm.
He tried TO raise himself with his right
arm, but sank back again with a
groan.
Someone rose from a chair in the
corner and came quickly and noise
lessly TO the bed. II was a woman
clothed in dull. gray and wearing a
trim white cap.
She gently smoOthed the pillow, and
with a deft touch oased the bandage
on his head. McGregor closed his eyes
and set his teeth until the paroxys.n
OF pain, occasioned by the attempt
to rise, had passed Then his eyes
opened YEARLY He was faint and
giddy.
What's happened7" he asked.
The voice that answered him was
low and soothing.
You met with an accident, Mr..
McGregor-a serious accident. But
it's all right now. Time and quiet will
do wonders for YOU"
How'd it happen?" said he.
You were thrown from a trap"
"Ah!" he said with sudden enlight.
eminent. "Diavolo bolted at the road
roller-rein broke-I was just getting
him down when ii broke This morn
Ing. wasn't it?"
Tuesday morning" she corrected.
"And to-day is?"
Friday"
"Humph!" McGregor grunted.
you're the nurse, eh?"
Yes" she said.
Well, nurse get me up as soon as
you can. | want to get at that horse
again. III teach him a few things
yet. ! never let a horse-or anything
else, for that matter-get the better
of me-" he added grimly.
you must be very quiet" she eau
toned
"All right"
"And sleep as much as you can"
Obediently he closed his eyes, and
soon was breathing deeply and evenly.
When he awoke next morning, his
eyes fell first on the nurse. She gave
him cheerful good morning" and
he looked her over closely.
She was very pretty. and her big.
sympathetic eyes struck some hidden
chord in McGregor's gruff soul.
See here" he said. Il want to be
frank with you. I'm a bachelor and
woman hater. Moreover, I'm not used
10 being helpless like this. | shall be
a devilsh hard patient to handle
But I'll do my best" he added hum
bly,
I'm sure you will" she said with
a merry light in her eyes
This is my first offence in this
line. you know" he went on, "and if I
behave like sin, you won't mind too
much. will you?"
NO. indeed" she said heartily.
Good" he said II wanted you
to understand from the start | shall
probably take TO cursing before long"
YOU may-'cus' as much as you
like" she laughed. and since IT was
an infectious laugh, McGregor laugh
ed. too
In the ensuing days, McGregor
thought much. Heretofore, life had
been to him the market, the club and
his horses.
Instead of being a patient "devllish
hard to handle" he was docile and ac-
quiescent He was experiencing A
strange. sweet contentment that all
the previous years of his hard unre-
lenting, self-made success had never
given him.
You haven't 'cussed.'" she re.
minded him mockingly one day.
you've made me forget how" hs
said. looking at her with an intensity
she found dsconcerting
McGregor had progressed rapidly
That afternoon he was propped up in
a chair by the window 1t had grown
too dark for her to read cloud to him
longer. and she laid aside the book.
You won't need a nurse much long
err" she laughed
Huh" said he Won't I. though!
Pm worse than you think"
Nonsense! You're nearly as good