The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-10-17


could not do anything. She'll hardly
last through the night, I think. Her
face seems very familiar, sister"
why, of course, she was our ward
maid before she married two years ago.
She used to come and see me very
often, and always made him out one
Of those noble creatures that only want
a chance-though, all the time I knew
he was just worthless wretch. He
was brought into the accident ward
early this morning. Rather bad
smash-up. 1t seems he broke into one
Of the city churches by some scaffold-
ing, and when he was making off with
the contents of the aims boxes fell
from height on to the aisle.
HE came to see his wife about ten
days ago, and was stufhng her up with
a long story that he was going down
into the country to look for work. A
fine bit of work he was contemplate
ing"
"Well, sister, must be OF. Can't
you concoct a letter or something to
keep her ignorant? 1t would be too
brutal to let her know about him now"
Sister Evelyn went to her small
sanctum and slipped her tea with
frown Of perplexity on her sweet face.
The sadness of the great grief Of her
early womanhood looked out from the
soft shadows Of her deep brown eyes,
but the curves Of her perfect mouth
betrayed no bitterness, but rather the
''skill in comforts art" which had
soothed countless dreary. souls in the
long hospital ward.
mo, p wants to see you, sister,"
every well, nurse, tell her I'm COM
ing, and. nurse, just run over to the
| mems accident and ask sister If she
can come to me for a few minutes"
What is it, Mary?" she said gently,
rs a few minutes later she stood by
No. 21's bedside and with skillful
touches arranged the pillows till wan
smile from the pale face assured her
she was comfortable.
"Well, little woman. don't hurry.
I've plenty of time just now"
'Sister, dear, in ease I-shouldn't
get better, I'm fretting so about Bill.
He hasn't written yet, and he was hop
ing that If he got work in Ashleigh I,
would get strong again in the country
air. My sisters there, too, and they
are such loves Of cottages. Perhaps
| I'll get better after ALL" with a hope
full glance, 'but wish he would write
or Bessie would write for him. l feel
I'D sleep easier tonight If had let
ter. Don't let me have the sleeping
draught tonight, sister. There might
| be letter by the last post, and nurse
wouldn't bring it then for fear Of dis
turbing me-"
Sister Evelyn, with world of sor-
rowful compassion in her eyes, felt the
weak pulse running like stream that
is nearing its end, and wiped the damp
forehead where the soft curls, that al
ways seemed so homogeneous in q work
ing girl, lay matted.
iii tell nurse to wait a while. and
| If there's a letter, will bring it to you
myself. Perhaps he was waiting till
he had settled everything comfortably
before writing. Men don't understand
| what they call our impatient ways
do they? But now you must try and
get little sleep, else shan't want to
disturb you IL the letter comes, and
shall want to know all about 1t. I'll
| write to your sister in the morning.
Mrs. Orton. the postofice, you said?
Yes, now take your medicine and rest
while. Nurse, No. 81 need not have
the sleeping draught tonight. I'll see
| her myself about 8 o'clock, and II you
want me, Eli be in the mems acci-
| Dent"
Sister Ursula reported Mary's hus-
band, though suffering from broken
leg and sundry cuts and bruises, to be
quite capable OF writing a letter, and
had indeed just asked for writing ma
| terials.
William Walton, It was evident at
the first glance, was Of q very superior