Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-12-08
How Mollie
Escaped
The Escapade of a Young
Nurse
BY AGNES G. BROCAN


NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.!
When Mollie had finished her cours,
In social economy and domestic sci
ence and had served out full tern
US settlement worker she calmly pack
ed her trunk. prepared to repair tn
wear and tear OF overwrought nerves
In a nearby sanitarium. Nothing eve
happened to Mollie exactly as 1
should. In the first place, people Of
rebellious and adventurous disposition
are correspondingly supposed to b.
the possesSors of rebelliOus or stray
ing locks. Of dark eyes with mischiev
GUS CLINT. while saintlike natures In
variably wear countenances OF saint
like repose and blue eyes preferably
wide and trusting. Mollie wore thu
saintlike expression. even as she open
ly Haunted her willfulness. Again
one would expect u creature so demurt
Of mien to find her chief pleasure ant
duty In the home. Mollie might have
been satisfied to display her executive
ability there had mother not been 81
hopelessly old fashioned. Mother had
her own ideas about housekeeping
which quite eliminated Mollie's bust
nesslike system.
So the rest cure" was the end o
all her demonstrations and theories
viciously Mollie tossed kimono into
the trunk. while her fair face main
tanned Its usual placidity. "Pll get II
over as soon as l can," she remarked
"and cheat my relatives Of the fend
ish delight Of saying. I told you so.'
So brief note fastened to her pin
cushion was all that notified her en-
during family Of Mollie's departure
"Gone to the sanitarium." the note In
formed them. "Let you know wher
I'm ready for visitors"
Mother read It with troubled
frown, but fathers face showed visi
BILE relief. THANK heaven" he ex
claimed. for u time, at least. we vii
know where the girl ls!'
Dear me-" sighed mother. 'yor
don't think Mollie will try TO reorgan
lie the hospital. do you. or publicly
complain Of It's management | should
be so embarrassed"
Fathers eyes twinkled. Don't you
worry" he replied. "She will find her
Waterloo there"
But whether she did or not still re
mains question. Certain 1t Is that
Mollie's first act was to rearrange heI
room. The electric bulb had to bt
changed to more desirable 'thougl
forbidden position as reading light
and the bed was pushed into more
convenient though opposite corner
Mollie was still flushed with exertlon
and triumph rs the nurse entered
"Dr. Watts wishes me to announce.
said that person. that the hospital Is
now under rigid quarantine. An out
break Of diphtherla In the building has
made this precaution necessary. All
patients are required to remain Us
closely as possible within their own
precincts-until further notice"
Mollie sank In an lncreduous heap
on the foot Of her bed You mean,
she asked. that l am to be kept here
-me-forcibly-against my will!'
The nurse nodded. You have been
much exposed" she replied
"Well. go back and tell DR.. Watts
from me-tell all Of thcm-that | won't
stay" said Molie. land that's plain"
The nurse smiled in maddening SUI
periority. II am afraid you will have
TO. Miss Stillwell. We are acting In
accordance with the law. and the city
health officer is here now to see that
law is enforced"
"And IT," persisted Mollie. this
worthy imagines he finds some sus'
picious indicutions-whatt then?"
"You will be detained-for time.
AS the door closed Mollie went over
and stood looking out Of the window.
A moment since she had decided to
remain In this pleasant. restful place
as long as the spirit moved her Now.
under fOrcible restraint. all the antag'
onlsm Of her wayward nature arose In
revolt. Far below the lights Of the
city mocked the twinkling lights Of the
hospital. Wonderful things were hap
pening there. no doubt. and youth was
taking freely its rightful heritage Of
pleasure freely. Angry tears splnshed
down on Mollle's little clinched hands
She would go back this very night
She would defy them to hold her. She
swung about In sudden response to one
authoritative knock ut the door: then
It opened to admit II tall and very de
termined appearing young man.
Good evening" said the young man.
Good evening"" grudgingly repeated
MOllie
IL nm the doctor" he went on. from
the health department. Or. Joyce"
81 thought you WERE" said Mollie.
"You have received notice. Miss
he consulted his notes Miss Still
well?"
"Yes: have had notice." agreed
MOllie.
81 must ask you. then. to be In my
Office upon the lower floor at precise
" 8 this evening am leaving the
hospital at S:l5."
81 shall be leaving the hospital.
tOO," said Mollie.
The young doctor glanced over his
notes rs though he had not heard
Alright.
mo patients are permitted to leave
without written discharge" he In.
formed her.
"Well. I'm going without one" said
Mollie.
At this surprising remark the doctor
then the guileless expression
of the sweet face upraised to his
his frown to smile. "You
can't 80. my dear girl. until you are
ne suid. This thing Is
done for your own good as much as
for others. Better face the circum-
stance sensibly. You are but a tem-
porary prisoner"
IF | am a prisoner" Mollie retort-
ed, take warning. for 1 shall es'
cape"
"rhat will be-impossible. My pur.
pose here tonight is to see that quar-
antine IL enforced"