Smyrna times., 1915-07-21
The Sister of Mercy.


The stretcher- bearers and nurses
were standing at the door of the hos
pital leading into long corridor at
the end of which lamp was flicker
ing in the wind. 1t was raining out
side. The first wounded were able
to walk alone, leaning on a cane or
assisted by their comrades With
their pale. bloodless faces. their mud
bespattered uniforms and their CLASSY
eyes they looked like ghosts of an
army. They sat down in the large
hall. silent. with an expression of
quiet happiness in their faces. Then
came those who had to be carried in
on stTetchers One of them was an
exceedingly thin man. with sharp-cut
features. large feverish eyes and a
heavy black beard. They laid him
carefully down on the floor. and. rails /
ing himself on his elbow. he let his
eyes wander about.
Among the busy nurses was Sis
ter of Mercy. II was impossible to
tell her age under her black hood. but
her face looked exceedingly young
and sweet 1t looked as if she had
been pretty before she took the vow
which gave her the appearance of no
longer having any particular age.
She stopped over the wounded man
to ask him if there was anything he
wished. but quickly Strengthened her
self up and turned CHASTITY pale, pull
ed down her veil and hurried toward
a group Of nurses.
The name of the soldier was Simon
de Prefaye. When he was bsndsged
it was seen that his wound was dang
erous and he was given a room to
himself. His legs were crushed and
there was a danger of poisoning. He
suffered terribly and was hardly ever
able to sleep. One night he called
the Sister of Mercy.
care you here, Sister?''
Sister Marie Helene, drawing her
veil tighter than usual, went up to
. the wounded mans bed.
"What do you wish. my friend?"
First something 20 drink. please. /"
When she had given him a glass of
lemonade he said in a feeble voice:
. And then ! should like to talk to
. you. Sister. Yes, l know you must
think it a strange request, especially
. as that which have to say is not
. all nice and you have no experience
= of how things are in this world
, Something. however. seems to tell m,
:, that you will understand me and tina
- your answer may be a great comfor
= to me. And you will listen to me,
a won't you. Sister?''
!, She ssid yes, in a voice ths
; was almost inaudible.
i "Then sit down. please"
:. She obeyed without a word. sitt'n
down with her back to the lamp. he
head bowed and her hands folde,i.
"Sister. "SimOn de Prefaye begar
II know that am going to die
"Why no! You are not going t
die The surgeon was we'll satisfie
with your condition this morning.
" A faint smile fickered across th
a' wounded mans pale face.
H. ''Do not treat me as il were
cA child, sister. am not 20 years ol,
rl- am 40. / myself asked to be sci
hg to the front. am not afraid of Il
go truth. ! know that am going to di
~ and it does not worry me. d
ne without regret My death is wort
* more than my life has been. sha
M be one OF those through whom Fran
m shall see an era ofgrandeur she hi
lat not known for more than a eentur
eu. That is worth something. But III
at is not the question. have been
er- miserable sinner. | once loved
re stopped.
OF "You dropped something. sister.
.'rl Eyes. my rosary" Sister Mar
nS' Helene murmured and bent down
sly look for il on the floor. Il have
one now, " she said quite calmly and 5
'as' down once n ore.
use ''Then | may go ONT"
ing "Do you think it necessary that
'nat nav should know anything about gour p
Ine vate life?''
nee "It is absolutely necessary. Sist
'ne' And surely you will not rtfuse
'eis listen to a dying man. Years az,
''ue often visited Dijon. where a brotI
= of my mother lived. and met thu
y an unusually beautiful girl. Mat
heie moiselle Helene de Berderode. P
ou'e haps you may meet her some day.
'any loved her dearly and she loved Z
oni- too. IL was about to ask for her hal
vice when her uncle died. was c.
was PEELED TO return to Paris, but ] prC
Sno ised her | would come back soon.
ise'1 failed TO DO 80. II has been
Oh greatest sorrow of my life.
nins in love with a pretty actress, a 4
infstuatiou. and ceased writing
u. u