The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-02-20
A HOSPITAL
INCIDENT
By MARY ROBERTS RIKEHART
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)
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OF brown sugar. and giving the OIL
cloth-covered table wipe with the
sleeve Of his jacket, hobbled into the
pantry. ~
The pantry was empty. Miss Ar
thurs. the nurse. was busy back in
the ward, turning down laH.s.beds
for smaller occupants, hunting out
nlghties" for the babies. changing hot
pillows for cool ones, and providing
that final drink of water which is. for
ever associated with bedtime, and
which helps TO postpone, if only for
moment. the inevitable turning down
of the light
Willie Madden loitered for a mo-
ment in the pantry. finishing a bowl
of bread ami milk which he found
there, and filling his pockets with
Jumps from the sugar bowl. Then he
iimped back a again. The ward was
growing quiet now. Over in corner
behind screen, the "Hunkie" baby
was getting its bran bath, while on
the red-covered center table three
nursing bottles reposed in basin OF
hot water. substitute mothers for as
many waiting infants.
Willie Madden. autocrat Of the
ward, sat down on the side of his
small bed and leaned .ilis 'crutch!
against a chair, his broken Reg ex-
tended stiffly before him, a..:~. ... g. .
Willie Madden was not sleepy.
Nice ho;r To so 10 bed he grumbled
10 boy on the other side. Six
O'Clock ain't no bedtime. Last edi-
TONS just out"
1t amt SO bad when yon can walk
around and ger tired" said the next
boy, who wore plaster cast around
his small body, and whose legs and
arms tossed restlesslyy Il guess
won't never be tired again. I'm goin'
to sit up next week, though" b, " as
Willie Madden debated for a mo-
it eagerly, holding it in his thin fin
ment Then he reached for his trOus-l
ers and fumbled in the pockets. -.
Here" he said, carelessly tossing
over a lump of sugar. take that to
make you feel better
The boy in the plaster jacket took
gers and nibb!ing at it to make it
last. Miss Arthurs gave the last dose
of medicine, and locking the cupboard
went wearily out. her keys jingling
in her hand. A moment later the
night nurse stopped at the door, her
rubber-heeled shoes making no sound,
and smiled a goodnight to the chill
dren. s-s..- -''. f.,
The boy cautiously crept out OF
bed and reached for his crutches. It
was evident that some dark conspir-
acy was on foot. for he limped noise
lessly to the corridor and looked
carefully up and down. There was
no one in sight and save for strong
odor of turpentine in the air and an
occasional stified cough from the next
ward, there was no evidence of life.
Willie Madden's next motions were
mysterious. He crept over to the pan.
try, with Its rows Of locked cupboard
and Refrigerator doors. Some one
came quickly. down the han. and the
boy slipped behind door and stood
quiet, his heart thumping in his ears.
The steps passed on and again every
thing was quiet Willie Madden
emerged from his hiding place, and
stopping with difficulty, his splinted
leg out before him. he groped under
The long red table-cover which reached
almost to the floor. e sr.=r e..
When he Strengthened again he held
in his hand three large, thick slices
of bread plentifully sprinkled, with
brown sugar. which he proceeded 20
button inside his jacket. Still with the
same caution he vent back to the
ward. There was no yaciliatiop- in
II movements. An observer had
there been one. would have seen es-
tablished routine III his actions, for
without a spare gesture he picked
from the nurses table the little wick
er basket which carried empty bottles
to the pharmacy TO be reflled, and
carried it to his bed, rra..ls1s.
His next proceeding was curious.
From under his mattress he produced
an orange. somewhat fattcne from
its place OF concealment, and. ball of
cord, much knotted and OF every
shade and thickness. In a moment
he had fastened the string to the han
die Of the basket. had dumped in. the,
sugared bread and the orange, and
was ready for the last act in the
drama. -.s-. ta'
The night nurse came along the
corridor and stopped at the door.
Whats wrong, William?' she called
softly.
"Gettin' drink" he answered men,
daciously. ~, .e e,,i
He watched her, out Of sight. then
slipped to the window and unhooked
the screen. "Hst.:"' he called i1hito the
d,rLnoss sgzEsGsG .r5!'s:H ~ ar4za;- r..
"Hst!" came sibilantiy from he
low. .,:.s.D s-l,ltIl ii
The basket disappeared over the.
window ledge. 1t swung slowly down
into the, void, its progress marked by
the various hues of the cord, until at
a knot of lavender and green the con-
spirator stopped. The cord jerked for
a moment-the nibbling of, hungry
fish at the bait. Then the basket
swung clear and was hauled up
swiftly. Rather to the surprise of