Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-08-27
HIS GRATITUDE.

A
/ her stray locks 10 their own devices,
but the very first week the head nurse
lad sent her back to her room TO
homb her hair when she emerged with
a fluffy pompadour. and since then she
1 had kept 1t severely under control. In
his feyered moments 1t seemed to
Watkins that it must be some Of the
very molasses candy that as boy
he had pulled and pulled until his
hands blistered with the exertion, and
then Miss Agnes would sponge down
his temperature and dlspel the illu-
sion.
He had often heard that IN pneu'
monia the nursing is all-important.
! When the doctor pronounced him out
of danger, Watkins Immediately over
flowed with gratitude to Miss Agnes.
she was not really unusually skiiIful.
her first year OF training was hardly
completed, but he had faithfully fol.
lowed instructions and Watkins pulled
through
"T'll never forget you, Miss Agnes"
he declared one day during his conya-
! itHLtuits hIO0 PbAAVSNAg NVAA ha@t
| owe my life to you, and as long as ]
live l will never lose sight of you.
While | have a dollar you shall not
want for anything"
One of his friends came in to call
just then, and she started TO go
won't you stay moment, Miss Ag-
nes?" Watkins begged. Il want my
friend to meet you. Thompson, let me
present you to my life-preserver."
From that moment the nickname
stuck to her. but Watkins was SO
earnest in his protestations of graft
tude that she forgaye him the joke
At last the time for parting came.
"You haven't seen the last of me.
/ Agnes" he said. IL can never hope
to repay you for all you have done for
me, but you shall hear from me very
soon"
Don't do anything RASH" cautioned
the nurse.
When he was gone Agnes couldn't
help reviewing the situation. She
should hear from him soon Her frs.
| thought had been of ssome little gift
flowers, perhaps, or a new book.
They had talked SO much of those
things, and he knew just what she
wanted. She hoped he would have
the good taste to send something she
could accept Perhaps 1t would be
one of those beautiful chatting dishes
she so longed for. He must have plen-
ty Of money, and it would be fine
to have something she could always
keep. Besides, the girls really need
ed a chafing dish very much, and she
would be generous aboue lending 1t.
Watkins was altogether too delicate
to send her a good big check as her
last special had done.
Then--then she began to wonder
what he had meant when he said that
their acquaintance was intimate enough
Some fellows in society aren't half
so well acquainted with the girls they
marry" Did he mean-would he send
her a ring in few days and trust her
to understand? There might be worse
things in life than spending it with a
rich, good-looking, devoted young man
like Watkins.
Agnes had had three proposals in as
many weeks the summer before she be-
gan her training. Therefore, the sit
uation was not SO novel that 1t cloud
ed her judgment. and now that the
edge of her enthusiasm had been
worked off, she was ready to think
of matrimony seriously. If Watkins
was so grateful for her three weeks
foh oh ~
expect If she gave him herself? II
the ring did come, and if. as was GER
tain to be the case, it showed the
same elegant taste Watkins had exhib-
ed in other things. well-it would be
the wise thing to keep 1t, and keep 1t
she would or course she was pledged
to complete her other year at the hos
pital. But 1t would soon pass-it
would improve matters considerably to
have Watkins at hand with some new
pleasure for every spare hour.
The postmans whistle interrupted
Miss Agnes day dream. Perhaps he
was bringing Watkins remembrance
now. She flew to meet him, but there
was nothing for her. 1t was too soon,
anyway. III Spitc VI MS piONOotdsiChob
Watkins was too much of gentleman
to hasten matters unduly.
For days Agnes spent her time
watching the postman, delivery men
and expressmen, without result. A
week passed. then two; a month and
almost another, and still no word or
sign from her adoring, grateful "spe-
cial." Then the unexpected hap
pened
One Sunday evening two of the
nurses went to church some distance
from the hospital. In their pew sa.
Watkins He was overjoyed to see
them. After the service he eagerly
inquired for Miss Agnes.
"She saved my life, you know, and
shall never forget It," he said.
They yielded to his pleadings and
went with him for little supper. All
the while Miss Agnes and her charms
constituted his conversation. Before