Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-04-27
NOT AN
ILLUSION

TX7HEN Majorie Mervin first init
w mated to her friends that she in
tended to become a hospital nurse
they one and all, with the exception o.
one person who proved the rule, de
clared to her that she was mad.
But Marjorie only smiled, and quiet
ly went on with her preparations, aid
ed and abetted therein by the excep
ton, Frank Ashton, medical student
at St. Paul's, the hospital Marjorie pro
posed entering. And not to a living
soul did she explain the true reason
for the step she was taking.
Time went on and Marjorie struggled
bravely against the inclination to &C
home the end of the first week
when footache and backache made life
scarcely worth living, and, finally, in
her fourth year, gained distinction in
the shape of gold medal and the sis.
tership of ward.
Although Frank Ashton was long
since qualified he still remained at the
hospital, ostensibly to specialize, but in
reality to watch over sunny-haired
brown-eyed Sister Marjorie, whom he
had loved for years. Marjorie frankly
told him that she liked him, but that
was all.
Marjorie was taking a well-earned
rest in her large sitting room one day
when a nurse tapped at the door.
Come in," said Marjorie sleepily.
The nurse entered-a pretty blue-eyed
girl in neat cap and apron.
There's letter for you, sister, and
don't like the look of 1G; his temper
ature has risen two degrees since one
o'clock"
Marjorie looked at the patient, gave
the nurse some directions and returned
to rest and her letter. An invitation
for an At Home fell out. With it was
q hasty note:
Dearest Marjorie-Do make a spe-
cial effort to come to this function.
Several nice people are coming
them Paul Burton, the poet, who was
so gone on you at Lympstone. He
asked after you the other day, and
would like to renew acquaintanceship
Ever yours,
BEE PAGET."
For a minute her heart beat to suffo-
cation. Her memory carried her back
to the year before she entered the hos
pital and an episode that only Bee Pa
get knew Of, and even Bee did not
know how deeply it had affected her
and treated it merely as a joke.
How long ago it seemed, that sum-
mer which she had spent with Bee be-
fore her marriage. Mr.. Paget was stay
ing there, too, and his absorption in
Bee threw Marjorie into the society of
the only other guest, Paul Burton, the
rising poet. Marjorie was young. pref
ty and impressionable, and Paul Nor
ton did not neglect his opportunity of
instructing Marjorie in the lesson Of
love, and he found her an apt pupil.
With the refinement of cruelty. Bur-
ton made Marjorie understand he was
welded to his art. and to art alone.
and poor Marjorie's love was such that
she thought it noble thing, and loved
him all the better for it.
And for all these years she had re-
manned true to her ideal, though Paul
had passed out of her life completely.
And now there was an invitation from
Bee in viting her to meet him.
How Marjorie lived through the day
which interviewed she never knew. Her
nurses found her trifle hard to work
for, and Frank Ashton was severely
snubbed more than once, which did
not, however, prevent him from knock
ing at Marjorie's door on the eventful
evening with a huge bunch of parma
violets.
She blushed as Frank entered and,
murmuring thanks, fastened the vio-
let's into the belt of her gown, saying:
"You are a good boy to remember my
favorite flowers"
"Why, Marjorie" he said, delight
fully, you look altog ~ther radiant
What has happened to you?"
Don't be stupid, Frank; it's useless
telling a woman who has been nursing
all these years she looks radiant-it's
nonsense vi.
~ isn't, Marjorie. I've never seen
you look better; and what a jolly
frock."
"I'll look in and fetch you, If I can,
old lady," he said, as he tucked her
into a hanson; for Frank Ashton
knew tho Pagets also.
arrived at the Pagets Marjorie
made her way up the largo staircase,
and having greeted Bee, passed on into
the crowded roonk At the far end,
seated on a luxurious SWAN, was Paul
holding a small court Waen he caught
sight of Marjorie he advanced to meet
her.
Marjorie" he whispered, "can it be
Marjorie? Come with me away from
these people. have much to tell you"
Together they strolled into the dim