The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-02
The Euenine Story
Biuy's Bandages.
(By Molly McMaster. }

Bmy's Bandages.
(By Molly McMaster.)
Perhaps. even had Billy heard the
motor horn he might not have thrown
himself back to avoid 1t. However.
he had not heard it and since 1t had
been a speeding motor he had had not
q chance Of saving himself.
Consequently Billy opened his very
blue eyes a few days after the acci-
dent in a scene curiously interesting
to one who had never before seen the
inside OF q hospital
Never in Billy's checkered career
had he awakened from sleep in a soft.
white-sheeted bed with doWny pill
lows, nor had he ever seen. at his bed
side a great bowl of carnations.
He drew in q long breath OF the
fragrance and comfort and gazed In
terestedly about at the white clad
nurses that fitted noiselessly about
They seemed to be m1nistering angels.
At least the unattended life Billy had
led made him think Of them as such.
Maybe the old wolf at the door got
me after ALL he muttered. land this
is what we call heaven"
Ibid you speak?" q soft voice at his
elbow questioned.
Billy would have turned had his
body permitted it His mind certainly
leapt eagerly toward that other mind
that had addressed him.
Il was wondering" he began. but
there are so many wonders that 1 can
not specify what 1 wonder most" he
ended with a smile.
You were knocked down by a mo-
| tor three days ago. the. nurse told
him gently. you've a nasty cut on
your head and a broken ARM
Might have been worse. was
Billys comment the while he tonged
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 en-
tirely his fault. He admits to speed
and careless driving. because he was
in a desperate hurry. He has or
dered the best attention for you and
our head surgeon il in charge"
| IT suppose 1 have the best nurse
a pity he missed the color that sprang
| into his companions cheeks.
| In any case, 1 am a mighty sight
better off than I was before. There
was q great wolf prowMng about my
ballroom door. and what he wanted
Is more than I can make out. There
was nothing in my cupboard and no
meat on my bones-perhaps he only
wanted to sharpen hts teeth on my
bony structure.
The nurse dropped a Light question.
more to humor Billy than for any
other reason.
"Oh, yes" he answered. "I could
have q position if I wanted it, but, "
a wistful smile swept across his fea-
lures, II have spent my twenty-five
years wanting to be an artist. and If
I can't be an artist. I would just as
I soon the motor had finished me-" He
paused a moment, then added, Il am
glad now, however, to be alive. hope
my drawings were not crushed under
the wheels of that car-they are the
best 1 have DONE"
'I will inquire when Miss Marks
comes today. She IL the daughter OF
the man who knocked you down. In
a day or SO will let her come in
and talk with you. 1t II she who sends
these The nurse indicated the fra
grant blossoms. Tho entire family ia
frightfully upset and want to do all
Il think it was I who was upset, u
hinted Billy.
) The girl laughed and told him ia
try to get q rest. IT will dress your
arm this afternoon" With that she
left his side and Billy found himself
lonely.
During the day he discovered the
nurses pencil lying on his table in
the shadow of the flowers. Out OF
sheer force Of habit his fingers be-
gan tracing light sketches on the onty
available surface convenient His ban
Idaged left arm. held close to his side
made an excellent easel, and Billy be-
came interested in making tiny char
acter heads OF the various nurses and
surgeons that fitted before his quick
eyes.
work on" he decided, and smiled al
1.-The series OF little heads that arose
from the bandages on his arm.
Later in the day, when the nurse
caught sight Of his arm she cast q
tender little smile at Billy's draw.
, ings. He met the smile with half
wistful expression and determined te
, make a dozen little heads OF hii
nurse. The contour Of her face wal
} wonderfully lovely.
5 She took on the bandages with Z
light remark and put on fresh ones
!, She felt glad for his sake that thu
outer linen strips could be changed
> daily. 1t would be some time befort
: the inner ones would be touched.
IF you continue N nicely an yol
( have today I will let Miss Marks SCI
you the day after tomorrow" she told
; him.
When she had reached the outel
: halls the nurse looked long and crit
: ically at the little sketches ON hel
|. patients bandages. A soft smile
. curved her lips and a look of sur
IT will show them to uncle" sh'
5 said to herself. IT feel sure there Il
unusual talent here"
When her uncle, a connoisseur ant
| collector Of hne etchings. saw thu
work his genial smile expanded.
> where is the lad? He has q bil
| future ahead Of him. These sketche
n have all the charm and dAintinesB o
a master. The boy could make q for
e tune etching small portrait heads
can recognize all these nurses ant
: doctors and have only met some o
them.'' He looked keenly At hi
. niece. s'I will give him an order 10
!. my own portrait-that viii give hin
q start. chr"
e when Billy again saw his nurs