The daily morning Alaskan., 1904-01-07
THE TRAINED
 NURSES STORY
loriginaL


 ee.ylng my diploma 1 was at the hos pltaI from which | had been graduat- ed. While there a sudden call came foz a nurse. None Of the regular nurses could be spared but the inquirer was informed that a recent graduate who had yet to take her first case was ready ta respond The paiAes were obliged to be satisfied with this, and l was en- gagged.
 l found my patient surrounded by every luxury. A venerable lady re- celyed me and told me that her son was to be nursed through a case of fe- yer. Upon going into the sick room l saw man apparently about forty whose case had just been diagnosed as one of typhoid. As l was in uniform, I had only to begin my watch.
 My patient never complained, no mat ter how he suffered, and at the slight est approach of relief would make light of his condition, which, ! knew well, was very serious. made several mis- takes. one of which was apparent to the sufferer and resulted seriously to him. Nevertheless he prevented the doctor from knowing that l was the cause. sending me away when he next called and explaining his condition in bis own way.
 But this is not the story. One night when he was passing the crisis I step ped into the hall. It was between l and o'clock. l was surprised to find that tho light always kept there was not burning. While l was wondering at this a bright light shone full in my face, and a masked man behind 1t came toward me. l thought only Of my patient, who, the doctor had as sured me, was lowering between life and death and could bear no shock. Two frights cannot occupy the mind at the same moment At any rate, stepped forward to meet him, putting my finger to my lips.
 There's a man near to death in that room" I whispered, pointing. "Go downstairs, and I'll help you all I can"
 The man motioned for me to go downstairs before him, then followed me to the library below. When we reached 1t found the gas burning and, turning to the man, saw him cutching a revolver, which was pointed directly at me
 Turn over the plate" he said, "and Tn git out but warn you if you play any game you're a dead woman"
 Now, the plate had always been talk en at night to the room occupied by my patient. I would have discontinued the practice, but he would not permit and 1t was there now. I told the burglar that being a stranger in the house, could only help him find 1t and began a pretended search, when he stopped me, telling me that the silver was al- ways taken upstairs, and either ] should go and get 1t or he would seek for 1t in the sick room.
 What could do? ! promised to go and get 1t for him while he watched me from the landing What posiHonl I was obliged to steal the plate, and if the patient saw me he might believe himself in the hands of a thief. Never theless ! went into the room, leaving the door open as directed, to bring the plate. My patient seemed to be in a doze. I opened the closet door in which 1t was kept keeping my eyes fixed on the sleeper. if he was not rather in coma than asleep. The plate was kept in a large morocco covered box, and I took 1t out and was midway between the closet and the door when be opened his eyes and looked straight at me That was the moment of supreme ter TOT of my life.
 What are you doingT he asked feebly.
 "I need few articles in this box" l said. "T will take them out downstairs and bring 1t back"
 There must have been a guilty look on my face rather than a frightened one for he looked at me with as severe as his condition would ad init, then. with a groan. turned his face away. There was nothing for me to do but to carry the box to the burglar He transferred its contents to a bag he carried, then, opening a closet told me to go into it In vain l begged to be permitted to go back to my patient. assuring the man that without my care he might die before morning. All in vain. The brute declared that be would not trust me lest l give an alarm and thrust me In the closet.
 What l endured there till I heard the butler setting the table for breakfast no one but myself knows, and I could never transfer the experience to an- other When ! was let out the servant started back as if he had seen ghost There was a mirror in the buffet, and ls I came before it I stood wondering whose was the reflection in 1t with fea- lures not unlike mine and hair white as snow.
 I had presence Of mind to telephone for a nurse, the1 told the butler to go to the patients room and see if he were alive. He did SO and came back lo say that his master wanted me to come to aim. I waited tn the nurse came and sent her in to him to say .hat I had been worn ont with watch Ing and was resting.
 When l saw my patient again he was He had been prepared for everything, but when he saw my white hair he groaned.
 'You have saved my life" he said