Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-01

asked demureiy. and then the doctor
came in and there was not another op-
portunity to repeat the question.
AS the days passed in n convalescence
that was an entirely new and delight
full experience for David Wright he
did not ask his nurse where he had
seen her before. He was quite sure
that he knew-that really she was his
dream woman. for now whenever he
thought Of the long vacation he was to
take travelling through all of the coun-
tries he longed to visit the face of the
woman who went with him as his wife
was none other than the beautiful hos
pital nurse whose name be did not even
know.
"It is fate" he murmured to himself
one day.
The very next day there was a new
nurse in attendance. and he was i'm.
mediately alarmed.
Where is my nurse?" he asked anx.
iously Of the older, palmer woman who
had taken her place.
Miss Beeman? She has gone" said
the woman, with pursed lips.
Gone? Not for good She hasn't left
the institution. has she?" demanded
David from his chair by the window.
"Yes; she was dismissed" said the
woman. with unprofessional garrulity.
David frowned. dismissed? What
has she done?"
"Oh, she made mistake. She is too
nervous and high strung for nurse
anyway. 1t is rule Of the hospital in
such cases when the mistake Is n seri-
Gus one to dismiss the offender"
And 1t was fatal mistake-it cost
a lifeT asked David pityingly.
"Oh. no. indeed. But 1t might have
proved fatal If the patient had been In
precarious condition. But it is best
to avoid any such possibility" said the
new nurse coldly, and then she changed
the subject.
1t was astonishing how rapidly Da-
vid Wright recovered after the depar-
he was out of the hospital. and as Dr.
Lawton had not visited him for several
days, the house doctor having looked
In on him the last week Of his stay,
David sought the physicians office as
soon as he left the institution.
Bidding his taxicab wait he fairly
ran up the steps to the doctors office
and fumed impatiently while be wait
ed his turn for a consultation.
"Out again?" laughed the doctor.
gripping his hand warmly. u always
say Miss Beeman Is the best nurse
there is. Feeling pretty flt now:'
Great" returned David. and then
without realizing how strangely bis at
titude looked to the doctor who had
known him only as a quiet, self con-
tanned bachelor Of thirty odd years he
burst out. "Of course you know she
was dismissed. doc"'
Who? Not Miss Beeman?
David nodded and then went on to
relate what the new nurse had told
him
DR.. Lawton shook bis head regret
fully. I'm downright sorry." he said
soberIy. Poor little Elsie! told her
she was not strong enough to tackle
nursing. Proud little witch has not
been near me since ! must go up
there and see what can do" He
made a memorandum on his desk cal
endar. and David watch he'd him hun
grily.
"You might tell fellow something
about her," he bIurted forth at last.
About Elsie Reeman?" asked the
doctor, his eyes twinkliug. us fel-
low Interested"
"Of course. Who wouldn't be: Who
Is she? Where does she live!'
elsie Beeman is the daughter OF an
old friend of mine When she finished
at boarding school she found herself
an orphan without much money ano
no ability to earn money for her
self First she learned stenography
and went into an architects office.
Come to think Of II. believe 1t was
your office. eh?'
Il knew I'd seen that golden halr
and those hands somewhere" cried
! David triumphantly. Il dare say sue
sat down In my office and looked &c
her lovely hair and hands while ! die
tated TO her"
1T looks very much as If you
vearned to give her the opportunity
TO dictate TO you the rest of your Ire.
said the doctor.
David Wright b!ushed. Il do-go
on. ductor. and tell me the rest
"Shp found she wasn't tilted for Of
fee work. aud she wanted TO try nurs.
ing, so size served her apprenticeship
and has been at 1t for several months
There's Just one profession Elsie Bee
man Is fitted to fill--she's one Of the
women who are born to be wives and
mothers Her place Is In the home.
David"
1--WE never had Il home. and. please
! God. well make one together. sald
| David solemnly Then 10 himself "a
no went to his rooms he said convinc
ingly: 1T must come out this way aft
or rll. for | remember ] first fnncied
nv dream WOMAN about four years
,po. and that must have been the nme
! that she WAS working for me ana /
! didn't know it. She made her impress
sion upon me Just the same, What
n stupid dolt was
Then David Wright FASTENED his
homeward way for Dr. Lhwton had
promised to take him TO seq Elsie Bee
man that evening and there was faiT