The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
A PROFESSIONAL LOVE AF-
 FAIR.
BY ELLA MAY BUNNELI. .n.rirht 1anA hv Dailu Efnrv Puh.


 Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub.
 Co.)
 She paused, with heart a-flutter. at the door of the sick room. She was in nurses garb, and paused because she had just thought to wonder who was the doctor she would find within. TO question before had never occurred to her; for she had learned to obey like we'll disciplined soldier. She had been sent for, and had come-that was all, and enough, for one in her profession to consider. There was something in the very air that told her he was there, and her thoughts during the mo- ment on the threshold brought the color into her cheeks while her heart beat riotously. With a determined lit- tie nod of her head she opened the door softly.
 The doctor sat at his patients bed side, back to the door the nurse was entering. Again. the girl paused, poised like frightened, fluttering bird terrified at what she saw, and she looked intently at the doctors se- rious, rugged profile. as he turned toward the bed-and there were signs or meditated flight.
 q can't" she whispered. but, after a moment, she murmered softly. T
  Dr. Gale, silent and almost stern In appearance, was unconscious of the nurses presence, and he seemed to be lost in thought while he waited for her to appear. He started at the sound of her voice, which was low and sweet. as she announced herself: T am ready-Dr. Gale"
 The doctor looked into her eyes Ilcngirgly until her eyes dropped. and she turned her head. T am sorry. Miss Burdick." he said sadly and in a low voice "I told them to send their best nurse-and they did" he added pleaded wistfuily.
 The nurse had become quietly busy about the room. close observer would have seen her breath catch as she asked matter -offactly: Will you have the table here?'
 The doctor nodded. and nurse and doctor at once became their profess s.onal selves They were both too conscientious and too well trained to allow their personal emotions to inter fere with the work before them. The patient. a woman. turned un- easily, but a reassuring smile from the nurse, a smoothing of the coverings and a soothing word or two comforted Ter, ana dOcltT hll'l ilHt 'N W 'i'I N'' W 4N' preparations for the operation about 10 be performed upon the sick woman. The doctors orders were brusk, de- cidcd and to the point; and the nurses responses were quick. quiet and sure Only a little paleness on his part showed that he had been especially moved: for his eyes were keen and cautious. and his hands moved with firmness and with skill. Every motion was made to count.
 The room grew quiet, only the pa tients breathing as she became un- conscious from the effects of the an aesthetic broke the stiffness. Rapid ly and earnestly the two attendants woFked.
 The minutes seemed hours to the nurse. She watched the brown head bending over the patient. seeing in the touch of grey at the temples mute evl- dence of long days and nights of toil-- not for money or for fame. but for the iov of f. A childs smile, a woman's broken scentences or mans hand clasp were often his only rewards, she knew. Her heart beat tumulut- ously AS he reached out a hand blind lly, saving. "Water-Nell." It had been months since he had called her that. and now she trembled at the sound of her own name He evidently did not know what he said, as he went on calmly and with the confidence of a man who knows thoroughly what he does By the expression of his face. she knew that he was doing wisely and well and that his patient was safe. The tense look was just beginning to leave his face when the nurse heard sound from the outside. It was the sound of crackling. burning wood. The sounds from within made the