The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-03
Observation-Disclosures


particular which recurs frequently,
like Il bad dream; it absolutely haunts
him."
Il understand" said Christabel. see
ing that she was expected to say
something.
OF course. you must have encoun-
tered. nurse" agreed Lady Sisterson,
eases of the same sort before. and
you will therefore attach no special
Importance to my poor husbands raw
ingS."
Yes: delusions are common in
mental trouble"
Quite So said her ladyship. "Now
let us go to Sir John. He is usually
very quiet about this time and almost
himself: he is worst in the evening.
But first let me tell you about our ar
engagements. A male nurse comes at
midnight and stays till noon, when
you will please go on duty. Luncheon
will be sent in to you. We dine at
$3.50, and ! should like you to dine
with us. Mary Sisterson. my step
daughter, will then take your place
for an hour. That is time when Sir
John often is very-restless, and the
presence of Mary soothes him: be-
sides. it will be little change for
YOU" she added. not ungraciously.
Now come to Sir john
AS they entered the sick mans
room Reginald Flint. the strange
young surgeon. rose from chair
placed at Sir Johns bedside, bowed to
Lady Sisterson, and shook hands with
Christabel.
Sir John is pretty WE'LL" he said.
in his jerky manner: afterward Chris
label knew that these words were a
kind of formula used by the surgeon
when his patient was conscious or
semi-conscious. AS he. spoke. Sir
Johns eyes fitted from his wife to
Chrstabel. who returned his gaze with
a sudden. swift pity.
Lying on the bed before her she
saw a large, massive head and clean
shaver face. the skin of which was
like stretched parchment which first
had been creased, and crumpled, and
heavy brows, under which were the
deep-sunken eyes that regarded her
halt-vacantly; the mouth was open a
little. and the lips of ii were thin. dry.
and twisted-the whole expression of
the face was sad and terrible. 1t
Looked as if it had once been the face
Of a man of power, Of one who sue
ceeds in spite Of obstacles-a ,lomi-
mating. perhaps domineering. man:
now it bore the impress of mortal
weakness. 1t was a piteous sight
This is Your new nurse. John"
Lady Sisterson said to him, speaking
slowly and clearly. AS one may speak
to child Or to very ancient man.
The face seemed to try to smile and
failed.
How do you do?" asked Sir John.
and Christabel started slightly. for
she had not expected him to speak, 1t
hardly seemed possible that any in
tclligible sound could issue from those
wavering. twisting lips. What is
your name?'
Nurse Joyse." she said, and in.
stantly set about making his bed
more comfortable. while Lady Sister.
son and DR.. Flint watched her.
you are nice girl" said Sir John.
painfully. with a prodigious effort. and
then was silent. He appeared to
doZe
Lady Sisterson left the room. and
Flint in a low tone. began to give her
instructions. When he had made an
end of them, he, too. referred to the
decisions from which Sir John suffer.
ed
Quite usual feature of such
cases." he said. "And the persistence
of one of them is not remarkable. The
fixed idea. Keeps coming back as the
brain works round. Automatic, al
most Well. you know what you have
to do. nurse. l shall go for walk be-
fore lunch. Always same walk. Hyde
Park. Servants know where to find
me-"
The afternoon passed quietly. Sir
John, after being fed and given medi-
cine, sank into kind of dull stupor.
> hAe SoAAiS 'A, odI uo"h III d LOW
minutes, and went out again, two or
three times. Christabel thought him
queer, enig1natical. eccentric, but saw,
as Lord Mellon had seen two weeks
before. that he knew what he was do
ing. A footman brought in tea at
o'clock. So the hours drew on until
it was nearly $3.50. when Mary Sister.
son appeared, looking worn and hag-
gard; her eyes were red, as if she
wept much, or that she and sleep
were strangers.
You are Nurse Joyce" she said.
Lady Sisterson has told me about
your being here. I am Mary Sister
son. How do you find my father"
She spoke in tremulous tones, and
her hands were shaking as with ague;
she was pathetic figure. that at once
appealed to Christabel and awoke her
sympathy.
Il am going to relieve you for an
hour, nurse" she said, while you
have dinner"
mo, indeed" said Christabel. "You
look ~ II you needed nursing your
self. can have some food sent in