Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-02-27
BILLY's BANDAGEs.
BY Molly MeMa.tsr.

heard it and since it had been a speeding
motor he had had not a chance OF sew
ing himself.
Consequently Billy opened his ve45 blue
eyes Il few days after the accident in a
scene cur1ously interesting to one who
never before seen the inside of a hos
pdtal.
Never in Billy's checkered career had
.s awakened from sleep IN a soft. White,
sheeted bed with downy pillows, nor had
he ever seen at his bedside a great bowl
of carnations.
He drew in a long breath of the fra
GRANGE and comfort and gazed interestedly
ministering angels. At least the unattend-
ed life Billy had led made him think of
them as such.
Maybe the old wolf at the door got me
after all" he muttcred, land this is what
we call heaven
Did you speak" n soft voice at his ell
bow questioned.
Billy would have turned had his body
permitted it. His mind certainly leaped
eagerly toward that other mind that had
addressed him.
~ was wondering" he began. "but there
are so many wonders that l cannot speci-
fy what / wonder most he ended with a
smile.
You were knocked down by n motor
three days ago." the nurse told him gent
ly:, You've a nasty cut on your head and
a broken arm"
Might have been worse" was Billy's
comment the while he longed to see the
face of the girl. When she arose he saw
a dainty oval face with eyes that were big
and bright. But who is paying for all
this?' His free hand swept In the room.
Mr.. Marks. of course--it was entirely
his fault. He admits to speed and care
less driving, because he was In q desper-
att hurry. He has ordered the best. at
fentfon for you and our head surgeon is IN
charge" =.
suggested Billy. II was rather a pity he
missed the color that sprang into his
companions cheeks.
"In any case, ! am a mighty sight bet
ter Off than was before. There was a
great wolf prowling about my ballroom
door. and what he wanted is more than l
can make out. There was nothing In my
cupboard and no meat on my bones-per-
hapes he only wanted to sharpen his teeth
on my bOny structure"
The nurse dropped a light question, more
to humor Billy than for any other reason.
''Oh. yes he answered, II could have
a position If I wanted it, but a w1stful
smile swept across his features. II have
spent my % years wanting to be an artist,
as soon the motor had finished me" He
paused a moment. then added. 81 am glad
now. however, to he alive. hope my
wheels OF that car-they are the best 1
nave DONE
81 will inquire when Miss Marks comes
who knocked YOU down. In o day or so
I will let her come in and talk with you.
It Is she who sends these" The nurse in
dictated the fragrant blossoms. THE en-
tire family Is frightfully unset and want
to do all they can for you.
ct think it was 1 who was upset" limited
Billy.
get a rest. ~ will dress your arm this
afternoon" With that she left his side
and Billy found. himself lonely. -
nurses pencil lying IN hls table in the
shadow Of the fowers. Out &C sheer force
Of habit his fingers began 'rariag llght
sketches on the ONLY available s%'rface
Convenient, His bardagaa left arr. hold
close to his side. mad" an escel'snt easei,
and Billy became interestca in making
tiny character lieads q tSs various Ha"'es
and surgeons that fitted Ncfose rs l'i.ck
"Linen is rather q good niaJian 70
work on he decided. and sniiel at ne
series of little heasis that arsSset from the
bandages on his am.
Later in the day whcr the pirsr est,ghi
sight of his arm she cast a fae1es tt,"s
smile at Biliy's DRAWINGS. We i.st '5e
determined tn make a coze', little 'ieih'i n'
his nurse. The contour of hcg !%ce w&s
wonderfully lovely. .,,.
remark and put or f'esh e. - ~,
glad for his sake that the cut iio"a
strips could be changed aa' h. W. woH,,
be some time before the inner nhe5 "cs'i"
..if you continue as nicely - sou haYe
today I will let Miss Marks SEQ yu-: tae
day after tomorrow sac tois nam.
When she had reached the cutter halls
the nurse looked long ard crif;cal;3 -
the little sketches on her pa.icvts band
ages. A soft smile curvsa her fps and a
look of surprise gathered in her intel!i-
II win show them to uncle" she sad to
herself. ~ feel sure there is unusual tai
ent here"
when her uncle. a connoisseur and cot
hector OF fine %etchings, saw the work his
genial smile expanded.
''Where is the lad? He has a big future
the anseh harm RI and and daintiness Of a master. The
boy could make a fortune etching small
portrait heads. ! a recognize al! these
nurses and doctors !. RS and ,na,, ! ave a.sen pnis y 'n h,s
niece. II will give him an order for my
own portrait-that will give him a start.
When Billy again saw his nurse there
W&S an undercurrent of happiness about
her that mad him curious to know just
what great event had taken place during
her hour out.
ut is quite too wonderful" she IN
swered his question swiftly. u have
shown your drawings to one of the best
critics in the country she paused almost
OF our foremost dry point etchers-even
before thai arm is out of its sling"
Billy gazed blankly at the girl for a
~ iii eves. He nut out his hand and
slipped Il INTO hers.
III I were a hero In a story book. I
would faint-but since l am q hero In 2
mos comfortable bed, I can only thank
you-you-." his voice broke. The sud
dem realizing Of his dreams was IN emo
tional crisis he was scarcely strong
enough to accept quietly. yet he strove
to keep calm.
The nurse slipped away SO that he
might think over his good fortune in
peace and enjoyment. Later she returned
and brought with her perhaps the most
beautiful girl Billy had ever rested his
z she smiled most bewitchingly upon
Billy
s.sHow can / ever tell you how dread