The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-03-27


day-the day she was in the club-and
she thus had an evening to herself. 1t
had been arranged that she and the
two men were to dine at gay little
French restaurant in Soho, but when
size reached the place she found Forde
alone waiting for her, as her brother
had been prevented by business from
coming. So they had dined unchap.
eroned by Philip-not that nurse
needed chaperon," as Norman laugh
ingly said to Christabel, who, however,
had made no demur.
For two short. happy hours she had
been with him. What a delightful
time it had been! What Difference,
what court he had paid to her, saying
with his dark eyes what his tongue
had not yet said! How he had talked,
sparkled, TESTED, smile;l-all for her.
In everything he said and did she
could feel that he loved her. And
then, when he grew more serious and
spoke of Philips hopes and his-spoke
of their chance in competition for
plans for a new cathedral which was
to be built i'll {; great Midland city
which had recently become the see of
a bishopric. what an intimacy there
was in his tones! And then what a
dear, quaint. jolly little place was the
Soho restaurant, with it's funny
walters and it's curiously-assorted
diners!
She wondered what he found to ad-
mire in her. Was it her looks? AS a
matter of fact she was tall and fair,
whereas he was Oakland dark and
fair form the eternal contrast and the
eternal union of opposites. She was
far from being ideally beautiful, but
/ she had a pretty face and was we'll
shaped and graceful withal. He had
| told her that he liked her in her
nurses dress; she had worn it at the
restaurant as she was wearing it now
in the club-a little blue velvet bon
net, witt the flowing veil that went
reached the ground above a gray stuff
dress. a long white apron (not worn
except on duty, and high collar and
cuffs made up the costume. It was
uniform that became most fair wom-
en-. and especially suited Christabers
tall, fine form.
What did her lover see In her? As
she communed with herself natural
impulse caused her to turn in her
; chair so that she saw her reflection in
a large mirror on one side of the
room. and she smiled happily. though
a trifle critically. at what she saw
She saw her faults-the lack of color
in her cheeks: but how can a nurse
who works hard have much color in
her cheeks?-the mouth thought too
! firm: but a nurse sometimes has to
be very frm!-the eyes not deeply
blue enough. though the lashes were
long and dark. Yet it was a pretty
face, as Norman must think. and was
not that everything? And she smiled
content.
your THOUGHTS seem to be very
pleasant ones, Christabef," said her
particular friend. bright and cheer
full Scotch girl named Nellie Fraser.
breaking in upon her "And how we'll
you are looking! Been having good
time lately? Was your last case a
nice one?"
Nurse Fraser. away from the sick
room, was bit of rattle, and, like
most Scotch people, a good hand at
asking questions.
How are you. Nellie?" asked
Christabel, coming out of her wonder
full dream-world with start "You
think l am looking WE'LL" she said
shyly; well, SO are you-''
"Oh. but you are looking lovely.
Christabei. I've never seen you quite
like this before. Anything happen
!. ed:"
Christabel was looking lovely, as
her friend. warm-hearted and not in
the least jealous, said; she was pretty
in any case, and happiness is great
beautifier
Nothing-nothing," she replied
for naturally she could not speak Of
what had been in her mind. But the
Scotch girl was gazing at her with
ened to say, "My last case was any
thing but nice. 1t was 'dipso'-a sad
and terrible broken-down wreck of a
woman who would drink and drink
and drink; whom no one can cure OF
do anything really for. She has been
taken to home by her husband, who
is distracted about her. They live al
Barnes, and I've been for four weeks
in that salubrious suburb
1T appears to have agreed with you
at any rate" returned Nellie "Whe1
did you come back?"
''The day before yesterday. Blu
, where have you been, Nellie? I'v'
}. not seen you for long time"
, "My case was at Brighton" sal.
t Nurse Fraser: "a lady crippled witt
y govt and rheumatism-and quit
) young, too, poor thing. And so MIC
; and kind! She insisted on my goinl
). out for a blow on the parade twice o
. thrice day; and now she has gone t,
r the brine baths at Droitwich for
! cure.
RI '.she said she hoped to do without
!. nurse, as she Is not too we'll OF, blu
I'm halfexpecting that she'll send 70