The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

| ly in the effort to regain her self-control
/ When the dressings were done she col
/ lapsed. though without losing conscious
ness.
DIT. Frost went at once 10 her assist.
ance. It's all over" he assured her
shoothingly.
DR.. Staples incisive voice cut in
1t is never over. The boy in the next
cot is asking for water"
It was said Of Staples that he gave his
patients such unfailing gentleness that he
had none left for any one else. II his
creed for those who chose the life OF ser
vice was stern. It was untainted by sci
fishness; If he exacted much from others
he was absolutely unsparing toward him
self
Cecilia made three efforts to rise before
she could control her rebeIllous body and
Quivering nerves. AS she went 10 bring
the water she heard Dr. Frost say:
You Ayere pretty hard on her. weren't
you? She will never be able 10 hold out
in this work"
Il prophesy her ultimate victory sta
pies replied
She turned invOluntarily and her eyes
met his grave, kind ones. Gratitude and
comprehension flashed into her own.
There was no intercourse between doc
tors and nurses ar the hospital except an
occasional clandestine Irritation. Cecilia
was often thrown with DR.. Staples In HIS
professional capacity, and she appreciat-
ed his skill and his reserve. One dav he
was called in 10 an emergency case. and
he found Cecilia there. Generally the
very regularity OF her beauty gave It a
degree Of coldness. but to-day she looked
Ike an embarrassed girl instead OF a
calm goddess.
Il can't do anything with him: he won't
let me touch him. He-he thinks that 1
am"
The Irishmsn saved her the trouble Of
finishing.
''Howly Mother!' he exclaimed. cross
Ing himself a. 'Tis too great honor we've
done me. intOirely, " It's goin' ter hiven
am, emmy wan " yer decent young an
gels cud take me without throubliing yer
blessed silf."
Staples Joined Cecilia in a good laugh
that seemed to put friendly understand
ing behind them
On the happy day that Cecilia's proba-
ton ended and the coveted nursess cap
was given her some Of the medical stu
dents sent her a clothes basket full Of
Parma violets. From her Kentucky home
she received a lone telegram Of eongratu-
lation and round robin Of regret.
But 20 Cecilia the days significance was
embodied in the marble Victory that came
with Staples card
In spite OF his assurance 20 Miss Hawk
ins, Staples felt q strange sinking at
heart as he passed down the hall Of the
contagious pavilion in the gray morning
The door OF room II was ajar, and it's oc-
cupant had already dressed. When he
saw that she was alone he caught his
breath sharply. and then remembered
with quick relief that IL lacked a few
minutes TO l. In another moment he
heard light fOotstep, and he stepped
into the vacant room opposite.
Ceciiia's eyes had the wide. unseeing
look that they wore the day she went for
the little boys water. There was about
her the unmistakable stamp of spiritual
conflict, painfully won. At the door she
paused for a tense instant
The woman was sitting on the floor. in
the corner by the radiator. so that the
high iron bed was between Cecilia and
herself, and IL gave one the impression of
looking at an animal in a cage. Indeed
the undefinable resemblance she bore n
lion struck Staples so fOrcibly that he
felt as II she must roar. Her skin was a
mottled brown; she had lost all eyebrows.
the eyelashes were very long and thin. the
lids saggy and beloved out; the nose
was hattened. the alae pufred out: the
mouth elongated and heavily drooped at
the corners.
How could Saundrs have failed to
recognize leprOsy?" thought Staples. with
the impatience Of an accurate diagnosti-
clan over so palpable a mistake
Good morning; hope you slept we'll"
said Celia. Il am your nurse.
Though the words were forced and me-