The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-08


 lapse almost at the outset of her Op. portunities was the source Of wonder
 and no little contempt among her fel 1 low workers. The words of the strange girl in mems clothing opened the way
 to smart surmises. It was not long be- | fore every one in the command knew
 that the ''beautiful Red Cross nurse''
 was not wearing the garb of the voca-
 tion for the sake of humanity alone; i in fact, it was soon understood that she did not care a straw for the rest of mankind so long as Graydon Bansemer needed her ninistrations.
 Ignoring the principles or the cause she served. she implored the doctors to confine their efforts to one man among all of them who suffered; she pleaded and stormed in turn. finally offering famulous bribes in support of her de- nands. For the time being she was half crazed with fear and dread, woe l fully unworthy of her station, partially | divorced from reason.
 l The more desperately wounded were left in the village with an adequate l guard, the rest of the command de- parting with Major March. A tem- porary hospital was established in the convent. There were two doctors and four or five nurses. with a dozen sol Giers under command of Lieutenant Bray. It was while the apparently dead Bansemer was being moved to the improvised hospital that Jane presented herself, distraught with fear, to the young southerner who had so plainly shown his love for her. Sine pleaded with him to start at once for Manila with the wounded, supporting her extraordinary request with the opinion that they could not receive proper care from the two young SUIT geons. Bray was surprised and dis tressed; he could not misunderstood her motive.
 He had gone on caring for her with cut suspecting that there was or had been another man. She had not con- fded in him during those weary, pleas ant months since they left San Fran cisco behind them. To learn the true situation so suddenly and unexpected ly stunned his sensibilities. He found difficulty in grasping the importance of the change an hour or two had made. He had fought yaliantIy, even exult- antIy. in the pass that morning, her face ever before him, her words of praise the best spells of the victory should they win. He had come down to the village with joy and confidence in his heart, only to find that he was not and could never be anything to her while the life or memory of this fallen comrade stood as a barrier.
 Bray's hour following the discovery that she had deliberately sought out and found this stricken private was the most bitter in his life His pride suffered a shock that appalled, him. His unconscious egotism, born of he reditary conquests, revOlted against the thought that his progress toward her heart was to be turned aside by the intervention of common soldier in the ranks. Gentleman though he was, he could not sublue the feeling of exultation that came over him when she approached with her plea. He knew that it was a base sense of power that made him feel that he could punish his brides offender by either denying or granting her appeal. The attitude of self sacrifice appealed to his wounded vanity. He was tempt ed to profit by an exhibition of his own pain and generosity.
 He went with her into the convent and to the pallet on which was stretch ed the long, still figure of Graydon Bansemer. A surgeon was standing near by studying the gray face with thoughtful eyes. Bray's first glance at the suffering face sent thrill of en- couragement through his veins. The man was beyond all human help. The grip of death was already upon his heart.
 Then the true manhood that had been his through all generations re- voted against the thought that was in his mind. The man should not die if 1t was in his power to prevent. No matter what the cost to him, he would give his aid to her and hers. He tried to put aside the feeling that death l was certain. and very soon at that. He sought honestly to justify himself in the hope that Bansemer's life could be saved after all.
 "Leave me alone with the doctor, i Miss Cable" he said. She WAS kneel- 1 ing beside the man on the cot With ] out word, but with 8 dark, appealing l look into the Virginian's eyes, she ] arose and went swiftly away. What 1 chance has this poor fellow, doctor?"
 t'None whatever, sir Hell be dead 1 in an hour. I'm sorry on her account. Strange case. I've heard she belongs ] to fine family in the east. Poor l devil, he's got an awful hole in his side"
 Have you made q careful exa,nina- tion? Is it possible that no vital spot l has been touched?'
 we haven't had time for thorough examination. It was better not to waste the time on him when there were others whom we have a chance to save"
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