The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-09-29
HOSPITAL ROMANCE

girls was to be operated upon on the
following day and was to be- my pa
tent. From the moment met Eliza.
beth Townley admired her.
The following day at ? Miss Town.
ley was brought TO the operating room.
and as she lay there, consciousness
gone. her face like marble. save a pink
spot on either cheek. her hair curling
| In little damp rings around her sweet
face. fancled myself her lover and
thought how easily one could love her
aye, and die for her. l wondered II
the doctor had the same thought, but
when the work began In earnest we
were all too busy 90 indulge In sent.
mentnlism.'
When M last IL was over and con.
sclousness had returned and the in.
tense anxiety OF surgeon and nurse
was over | found time 10 look mt the
doctor. All. the old restless look had
almost completely faded from his eyes
and I'm its place was an expression OF
rest, not unnIxed with determination
After this | studied both patient aud
physician. | rarely saw them togeth.
err, but | knew by the doctors face
whenever ne came from HIS little room
that he was refreshed and strengthen.
ed for his work. But Beth was clever
and wise. and she often declared her.
self heartless and "unimpresslble." but
thought II she were heartless II was
because she had already given her
heart TO Dr. Bronson.
All through the bright spring days
he bought her Wild flowers. and after
making his evening rounds would read
TO her. while SHE In turn played little
melodies on her guitar or amused him
greatly by relating some OF her school.
day pranks.
She was the life OF the lower Ho0r.
and many lonely heart was made
glad by her merry laugh, her CHEEKY
Good morning" or n bunch Of bios
SONS from her abundant supply
Sometimes Or. Bronson would give
a low laugh OF contentment ana sup
pressed happiness and would wonder.
'Dld she charm away that old lool, 10
his eyes2" But howe She had scarcely
seen him ere II vanished
SO the days sllpped-nay. rlppled-
by on the tide of that sweet. low
laughter and music OF contented voices
Gradually Miss Townley became able
to move about In her wheel chair DR.
Bronson seemed 10 be growing melan
choly and the old restless. longing look
came creeping back. He would wheel
her up and down the halls and then
leave her by the open door where the
sweet springs breath came floating In.
and go about his duties still watching
her with a loving care that seemed
pathetic 20 me. for felt that there was
a story 10 his life that no one knew and
which still withheld It's sequel.
One night there was fearful storm
The wind blew n perfect gale aud
hurled the sheets OF falling rain against
the window panes. The thunder drop
ped Its heaven forged bolts In quick
succession. while the lightning kept the
scene brilliant as day
DIR. Bronson was In and out OF the
wards all night, but he went oftenest
TO Beth's room 10 ask.
Are you nervous IN this frlghtfu
Storm"
She would answer softly. "Oh. no."
and then having no excuse to remain
longer ne would pace the halls nervous
~ while the fury OF tire storm stendly
Increased. lie thought once bitterly
"Oh. II she would only show some
sign OF fear or distress that might 90
10 her and do something just 10 Dc
near her.
Here he was interrupted by ire
mendous crash. IL seemed as IL heayeu
and earth were clasped in close en-
brace and were swaying and rocking
In the furious blast
With one bound he was at Miss
Townleys bedside. She lay there
white as marble. her forehead cold
and her lips blue. The corner OF her
room next the street was blackened
and burning Z
Seeing that no time was to be lost. !
he gathered her In his strong arms and
carried her TO the ward across the hall
and laid her down and sent AZ once FOR
me.
In the hour that followed Dr Bron-
son hung over Beth using every means
to save tho life that saw had become
40 dear TO him. a
The fire did little damage. and asd
soon as the storm rolled away 20 then
east. lis mutterlngs growing falnterv
and fainter. we saw Beth's pale llpso
grow pink. her eyellds CULVER and them
slowly lift and the eyes rest on thed
doctors anxious face. i
Thank Godr' came quickly from,
his lips. and he knclt beside the llttler.
low bed and bent his head on her OUT
stretched hand. Is II unmanly 20
weep Some say II Is. but the noblestu,
tears ever saw shed were those tha9t
fell from Or Bronson's eyes. Theyot
We're the spray from an ocean dcenh
and fathomless. the ocean OF his grcaSs
love.
The next day she was taken hometa
The west wing OF the hospital vast
closed FOR repairs, and the patlentdl