The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

OF the nurses THAT room happened 10
fsH 10 you. There has been unnecessary
excitement over this case. DR.. Angler
explained that there is very little danger
Of contagion-less, indeed. than Miss Tur-
Eer faces in nursing diphtheria.
7 can't replied Cecilia, desperately;
Il can't"
The superintendents face changed and
hardened. She was not used TO insurbor-
6inatior.
las you choose. Miss Castleton. OF
course. your failure to report for this
duty in the morning means your dismis-
sal from the hospital"
Cecilia locked herself in when she
reached the little white bedroom that had
been hers for a year She began 10 pack
50 hurriedly that soon her room was
stripped bare OF everything save the
Winged Victory
7 shall leave you here. You were mine
II won. and have failed Perhaps II is
well that the years have defaced you and
we see only your triumphant onward
movement. Perhaps II we could look into
your face you would not stir US so deeply.
Perhaps it is lined and sharp; perhaps IT
is worn with past tears or the sweat Of
blood or the pock marks Of disease."
She shuddered. and sat at her dressing
table. where she could not see the figure
that seemed a mute reproach.
The temptation 70 wire the situation 20
her father assailed her. She knew that
he would come on the first train and that
ne would forbid her 10 take charge Of a
leper. The decision would be taken out OF
her hands; her father would shoulder the
responsibility with the hospital authori-
ties. Her dear. bluff father. how she
yearned Tor him, Her mother. with all a
mothers pride IN her oldest daughter,
how frantic she would be at the mere sug-
gestion that Cecilia should come in con-
tact with this loathsome diseasei
Suddenly she leaned over and looked at
herself IN the mirror, curiously. as II she
were seeing herself for the first time
Gray eyes looked at her. deep. starry.
iong-lashed. under brows dark and deli
cate. emphasizing their contrast to the
pale gold OF her hair. The mouth was
sweet. grave. and spiritual; the skin Of so
soft and fine a texture that Mamie Des-
pard declared that Cecilia had stolen the
complexion of a baby angel
Chaotic memories crowded her brain
she remembered the closing exercises Of
the school she had attended. There had
been a picture gallery. each tableau Of
which was received with courteous but
moderate applause. When the curtain
rose on Cecilia as the Blessed Damozel
leaning out from dark background. with
the light thrown on her face and her
heavy braids, yellow ike ripe corn"
there was absolute stiffness. and. the
young girl felt sorry for her mothers
disappointment In another moment the
house rocked with applause. Four times
the curtain had 10 be raised 10 satisfy the
audience, who appreciated beauty Ike
true Kentuckians.
Her old minister had sought her out
after il was over.
Great beauty has been given you
daughter. Remember that it Is a gift"
Sometimes those words came into her
mind during the triumphant two years
that followed, IN which she reigned among
the undisputed bellies in the Blue Grass
region, at the New Orleans Mardi Gras
festivities. and al the Virginia White Sui
phur IN the summers. Just q year ago
she had given up her social career. to her /
mothers despair and her fathers amaze
ment.
Why on earth had you rather wait on
strange sick folks than have a dozen fine
young Kentuckians waiting on your"
Let me try SIZE pleaded. The work
has always seemed TO call me-"
There is nothing surer Of Itself than
young idealism, and Col. Castletons con-
sent was won on the same principle that
he gave Cecilia fruit cake when she was
two and pony at five, because she
wanted it."
There was knock at the door. and Ce-
ella opened il 10 admit Mamie Despard. /
Dearest. we have only ten minutes be
fore our lights are out. I heard that YOU
were put on the leper case. and I went to
the superintendent. I told her that I was
just crazy 10 have that case from a pro-
fessiOnal point Of view. and I begged to |
be allowed 10 exchange with whoever had
Il. She demu-red, but finally consented
on condition that you Will signify your
entire willingness TO undertake that case
or any other on which you may be put /
hereafter. OF course. it's a mere formal I
ity, but you'll have to do it, They viii !
never repeat this mistake and admit an /
other leper. Il was almost dark when
DR.. Chalmers examined her She wore a !
light ven, and the symptoms she gave
were entirely misleading. They tried TO !
get her in at the United States quaran- |
tine station. but they refused TO take her i
There is no leper hospital in the State |
the streets. so that's the quandarv IN /
which the poor dear hospital finds itself" /
Mamie had talked very fast, fearing an /
interruption. Cecilia's eyes were full Of /
tears.
Mamie, I was about 70 run away. /
was thinking only Of myself If I forsake !
my place some one will have 20 I'll Il.
some one viii have to do my work. You
have made me see things as they are. YOU /
dear, unselhsh heart. I VIII stay and do |
my own work"
'Oh. Cecilia. II you should take that
frightful disease!" sobbed Mamie 1T
wouldn't matter so much about a brown
witch like mel"
Hurry back to your room. Nancy: the
lights will be out IN a minute. You shan't
call yourself names; you are my good an
gel, said Cecilia. laying her soft cheek
caressinEly against her friends.
Alone again, she sat for long time
looking out into the darkness. The room
grew cold and she Shivered unconsciousIy.
She tried 10 adjust her thoughts TO the
horror OF the duty that lay before her.
the loathsome contact. the possible con-
tamination. When the dawn broke she
Jut on her uniform again. without having
touched her bed all night. AS she pinned
on her cap her lips quivered into a tremu-
lcus smile and with a swift impulse she
knelt and kissed the cold purity Of Vic
tory
The superintendent had reported 10 the
chief resident physician. Dr. Staples that
Miss Castleton had refused the leper case.
and that Miss Despard, of course with
Miss Castleton's sanction. had volunteer
ed for it.. She wes relieved at the turn
o. affairs. for otherwise Miss Castleton's
INSTRUMENTATION must have been punished
with dismissal. but now the formality OF
an apology and a retraction could do