The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-06-11
TIE NURSES PARADOX
NV
sy HAROLD CARTER

Il did not require much discern
ment 10 discover that Miss Joyce. the
head nurse, and Doctor Raymond, the
senior inferno, we're IN love with each
other. Some Of the nurses prophesied
that they would get married when
the doctor started his private prac-
tice IN the fall. I was not 30 sure.
was watching them narrowly-you
know how one falls into the habit Of
being interested IN the others Of the
personnel, IN little hospitals. I had
seen the romance fame out, remain
for one brief and glorious week, and
come crashing to earth.
was wondering what had come
between them when I played the
eavesdropper unintentionally that
night in May. It was the sort Of night
that poets sing about, all lilac scented,
with a young moon and an inviting
darkness In the recesses Of the hos
pital garden. / don't know what took
me toward the summer house, but
heard them talking at the door, and
dared not stir for fear Of letting them
know they we're overheard. A
IF you had told me, Miriaml" I
heard the doctor say.
THAT am married?" she answered
so that you need not have fallen
in love with me, supposed"
mo, Miriaml Heaven knows never
could have prevented that. But at
least I should have lived in no FOOLS
paradise. You can divorce him, dear"
/ heard her weeping in his arms,
and knew that her response was a
negative one. She was a Catholic;
divorce did not exist for her church.
heard her say they could never
marry, heard his passionate declare
ton, his reluctant acquiescence-and
then / managed to slip away as they
came out Of the little place together.
Il would be two months till Doctor
Raymond left us. Nurse Joyce con
templated remaining indefinitely.
! never saw two people look 90
miserable as they did during those
two months. Only week remained
when something occurred that neither
could have foreseen.
was ON duty among the outpa-
TENTS, and / had perceived the dissi-
pated-looking man in the corner, and
Nurse Joyce look in and disappear
with a startled expression. l had car
ried back some bottles to the dispen-
sary when / saw Nurse Joyce there
weeping in Doctor Raymond's arms.
He is my husband" she was sob
bling. "Dear-dear-if you want
me-"
Later I learned that the man had
recognized his wife and was to under
90 an operation. He had come In
quite by chance. II was serious, and
might be extremely so, but there was
a probability that he would live
through It.
The next morning It was Nurse Joyce
who administered the ether never
saw a woman so calm. The poor
pathetic, trembling wreck upon the
table was gradually lulled into obi
won. And so he fell asleep and was
wheeled into the operating room.
And as Doctor Raymond proceeded
with his work, and Nurse Joyce sal
at the head. dropping ether quietly
upon the cone, / seemed all at once
to see right into their hearts.
II the patient recovered, / knew
that Nurse Joyce was resolved to gel
her divorce just the same and commit
sin, as she thought, In marrying while
her husband lived And 1t seemed
to me then that this had come as 9
test. II Nurse Joyce were resolutC
not to violate her conscience, but t
send Doctor Raymond from her, ther
the man would die. But so long ai
she was bent on marrying Raymond
he would get we'll.
I don't know how / came to reason
out this singular paradox. But
knew It by a sort Of intuition.
prayed that the wreck might die. 1
she didn't change her decision. Blu
he passed through the operation well
and in a few hours be was on thu
mend. The next day he was declared
out Of danger, and he lay on his bed
following her with looks Of duml
gratitude as she passed.
I saw her talking to Raymond out
side the door the second night. NJ
ears are sharp-a nurses have to be
Anyway, I heard what they were say
ing.
"YOu will come with me as soon al
he is out Of danger, then" whispered
Raymond.
saw her shake her head and plac'
her hand on his shoulder.
Il can't, dear" she answered.
His eyes hardened: his lips wer'
compressed tightly. Why" he de
handed.
Because / have watched him wit
was my husband once. and is still
lying in the bed, watching me Il
turn" she answered. Ellis eyes ar
ike the ewes Of a dumb animal, Harry