Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-02-18

Ell. that 1t would be better for me to
read to your
NO; it's your business to amuse me,
and you must amuse me; not bore me-"
But the doctor; he wouldn't al
low it."
'The doctor be hanged; he's not here
to stop IT."
Phillppa made several inoffensive
thrusts. rather endeavoring not to
touch the patient than to do so.
See here, young man." cried Bur-
ton; do you call that fencing? want
you to do your best to put the button
there" and he tapped his left breast
with his finger.
Philippa, seeing that nothing would
satisfy him except her doing her best,
set to work to touch the spot indicated,
but found it impossible. Although re-
duced by illness, he was too quick for
her.
"Now, I'll try you," he said, "but my
hand Is not as steady as 1t should be,
and I'm afraid I'll hurt you. You'll
find mask in the closet. Bring it
out"
Philippa brought the mask, and he
told her to put it on. She did so and,
| again taking up her foil, placed her.
self on the defensive. Barton had no
difficulty in getting behind her guard
and placing the button of his foil
| wherever he liked. They were in the
midst of lunges and parties when the
| door opened and Mrs. Hough ushered
in the doctor. Philippa turned quick
| ly, lowered the point of her foil to the
| floor, bent her head and stood like a
culprit ready to receive reprimand.
$50 this is the nurse you have pro-
| yided for your son" said the doctor to
Mrs. Hough.
Hes a dandyw said the patient.
II don't believe he ever took lesson
in his life and yet he came very near
| pinking me several times"
But the doctor refused to be pla-
Gated.
MADAM" he said to the mother. SIS
| this young man professional nurse"
"He is"
discharge him at once"
mot on your iifew cried the patient.
"Any educated nurse" continued the
| doctor, knows better than to risk a
patients life by permitting him to take
such violent exercise"
"Permittingw sneered Barton. "Do
you think that STRIPPING could lord 1t
over me? Not much"
"Either discharge the nurse" said
the doctor resolutely, cor I shall with
| draw from the case"
'The nurse won't be discharged" re-
| piled Barton. Whereupon the doctor
| left the room, followed by the fond
mother, who was quite beside herself
| at the trouble she had made in giving
| her son a man nurse. She made no
| attempt at an explanation to the doc
tor, being too agitated and not know
ing what to do. She went back to the
| sickroom, to find the nurse had va
| Gated 1t, while her son was evidently
| no worse for his exercise.
Mother" he said. ''let old sawbones
| go. like this little chap you've given
| me, and before he goes away I'll make
man of him."
"Oh, dearr' cried the mother, which
| under the circumstances was as ap-
| propriate as anything she could say.
"Send Philip back to me-" Barton
went on. Hes a bit cut up at being
| blamed"
| Mrs. Hough was ready to do any
| thing in her power and, going out,
came back dragging Philippa with
her.
"Come here" said Barton to his
nurse.
Philippa went to him and, taking her
hand. the patient said kindly:
| Don't mind what the old curmudg-
| con said You're a nice little fellow,
! only a bit too delicate for boy, but
I'll take that out of you. Mother, l
want him to stay with me till l get
well. | feel better already"
| So Philippa continued her attend
| ance and the patient continued to
| improve AS much cannot be said for
| Philippa. AS the patient grew strong
er he increased his efforts to take the
effeminacy out of her, and she was
| forced to suffer some pretty hard
I
| knocks. A crisis came when Barton
| was able to get out of bed and stand
on his feet. Then one day Mrs. Bar
ton heard sounds above. followed by
thud. Running upstairs, she found
her son lifting Philippa, unconscious,
| from the floor. Both had boxing
gloves on their hands.
"For heavens sake. Barton" cried
the mother. "have you killed herT'
| "Killed her? You mean him."
| "Oh, my dear boy, she is girl!'
Barton laid Philippa on lounge
and begged his mother to go for re-
storatives. While the old lady was
gone Philippa opened her eyes, meet
ing another pair of frightened eyes
that showed a relief, but still anxiety.
"Thank heaven l haven't killed your
he said.
"No, no, 1t is nothing. The VIC
lence of the exercise overcame me. 1
| -. III ,.;rht ,1oyuD