The leader., 1905-09-02

himself. DR.. Cheseldine said it must
be done before she got worked up"
She was certainly getting very much
excited now
But Miss Farel was thinking the
time ripe for explaining her position,
and as q prelude to her remarks, she
laughed outright-as one who enjoyed
e good joke on the medical profession.
At this point. determined message
was telegraphed from intrene tc head
nurse, through the usual medium of
laeir ayes, and before Miss Fareps
first explanatory word was pro-
nounced, bottle of vichy was opened
in her face. She was thoroughly in
dignant, and for the first time in her
life. surprise dulIed her thoughts.
The merriment in her eyes gave
place 20 such a threatening glow that
the atmosphere of the ward seemed
heavy with its influence. DIR. Brooks
| disappeared. The head nurse wiped
the patients face and, making her
comfortable, persuasively remarked:
The doctor will return presently
with your medicine. Do take it,"
You will please tell DR.. Cheseldine.
as soon as he comes, that Miss Farel
wishes to see him."
The head nurse turned sharply.
Well-disciplined though she was, she
could not stifle an exclamation at the
name, Miss Farrell" Gould a mis-
take have been made?" She studied
the chart which hung on the T at the
head of the bed, then looked carefully
at its occupant. Replacing the chart,
she hastily left the room.
1t did not take long for the mistake
to become known to the members of
the hospital staff. The offending in.
terne was greatly mortified. Day after
day he sent some token of apology
| books, flowers, fruit. 1t became the
aim of his life to win her favor, and
he asked several times during the
weeks which followed if she had for
given him. She invariably answered,
Not quite!"
Meanwhile her sunny nature diff
fused it's warmth everywhere. When
probationer limped through the
ward, with feet swollen by the unac-
customed number of steps taken, Miss
Faerl wished to know if that were the
latest fad IN walking. and many a
time the frown on fretful patient s
face would disappear as she repeated
silly couplets. DR.. Cheseldine often
said her life was saved by means of
her temperament more than by any
thing he had done for ner.
One day, when the hyacinths were
blooming in the white-rocked crescent
which adorned the yard, she was sit
ting by her window. She had pushed
aside the sash curtain to watch the
janitor water the lawn, as DIR. Chesel'
dine approached with a note in hand
which he gave the man to take to
some one up stairs.
"Just leave your hose where it is, "
he said, until you get back" Then
beckoning to Miss Farel, he whisper
ed.
Now is your chance. It is almost
time for DR.. Brooks to go through the
ward. He is in the laboratory, and
will be here in little while"
He gave the hose kick which land
ed it under the window, and with a
knowing glance, retired. Miss Farel's
eyes were exultant. She drew the
curtain four-fifths of it's breadth across
the window and waited.
DR.. Brooks, in new suit, whittier than
a signpost, sauntered across the lawn,
When he reached the flower bed he
looked at his watch, and then walked
around the crescent admiring the
flowers.
When his back was opposite to Miss
Farel she pushed aside the sash cur
tain, leaned far from the window, and
picking up the hose, sent forth col
umn of water full force the length OF
the doctors spine.
AS she drew back convulsed with in
ward laughter, she heard shower OF
| imprecations descend upon the janitor
who returned in time to resume his
work, just as DR.. Brooks whirled about
to see what had struck him.
And while the disconnected inferno
was busily changing his costume DR.,
Cheseldine went through the ward
wondering aloud, es he reached Miss
Farels side, what made DR.. Brooks SO
late.
A few days later Miss Farel was
we'll enough to walk out i'll the yard
AS she stood by the flower bed DR.
Brooks approached silently, his rub
Der heels making no noise on the soft
turf
You almost make me believe you
have forgotten that awful mistake"
why should you think of it any
more? We are even" The last word
was said forcibly, and she looked
down.
"Even!" he echoed what do you
mean?"
81 simply mean what said-that
we are now even" There was more
force on the word "even,' and she con
tinued to look down.
DO you mean that you have got
/ even with me, when you have made
me love you with all my heart? Even
when by your gentleness, your lowell
ness. you have won the title of the
Angel of the Ward? Even, when
know you will never care for me, and
that now since you are soon to
leave"
Don't rave so! Everyt ody will be
looking at us!" Miss Fare. looked up;
her eyes we're glorious.
Margaret"
Maybe you will not forgive me
when tell you it was who gave you
the impromptu Scotch douche!"
"You!"
"Yes. That is all | meant by accent
ing that little word"
20. Margaret"
There I'll stand as close to
you as dare in public, but you must
not touch me here. you know.
The next day Miss Farel and Dr.
Brooks were again among the hya'
4 r,rslxo -