Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-04-01

society; she was not happy. And when
an opportunity came to enlist herself
for service in the Red Cross ranks she
cheerfully took up the preliminary
work in Washington. Later. when a
girl chum decided to 60 on to the
scenes Of battle in Europe she begged
leayelof her parents to accompany her.
Therefore, II was not SO strange
that she should one day find her old
love-, John Broadfoot, among the
wounded soldiers under her care. His
wounds had been so severe that there
had been little hope Of his recovery
and she had fingered day and night
at the side Of his cot SO that she
might be near him when he regained
consciousness. And she had been
there only to receive the tleeting rec
IGNITION and then TO have him sink
back again into the darkness.
strangest Of all, followed the cable
calling her to Washington. She had
only time to. leave a message with the
girl with whom she had come across
the ocean.
That message conveyed to John
Broadfoot the hope that IL he still
cared to tell her a story she would
listen. But the wounded soldier had
not yet received the message and he
looked forward to the time when he
could rejoin his regiment and fight at
the front.
I've found Miss Hamilton's friend,
Mary Sprague, who says she has a
word to whisper in your ear his
nurse said to him one morning when
he seemed brighter and stronger. Twill
you see herr"
will a thirsty man drink" he
asked her, smilingiy.
And almost as he said the words
Mary sprague appeared at the side Of
his cot. John Broadfoot-you know
me now?"' she said, taking his thin,
white hand.
."Now-and always, ]. hope" he said
with a touch Of his old.time chivalry.
But it's a long wayafrom Wash.
us. A., isn't it,"
Brcadfoot nodded against his pillow.
Then he seemed to wait for the mes.
Marian was with me-" Mary
.prague began.
Yes, l remember seeing her
standing here" the patient said.
She and l Joined, the Red Cross to.
and-she was suddenly calIed
home. Her mother was ill., She
she left a hasty message for you. SIZE
told me to tell you that" Mary
sprague hesitatedA''that there was
some story You wanted to tell her that
she would be interested in
row."
The wounded mar searched the face
the nurse. Marian told you to tell
NE that??" he asked, unbelieYiugly.
She told me that as she leftbto
catch the steamer back to Aat1ericaH
Mary Sprague repeated. -
John Brcadfoot was silent tor few
minutes. The other nurse had disap.
Gould you-would you let me write
! cable message for her and-would
you send it for me-" he asked, withstI
almost childish appeal in his voice..
Mary got him pencil and paper.
Then she left him while he composed
his message.
When the cable letter was finished
It said to Marian Hamilton: Will You
have me now? l am no longer, HE
handsome man you refusedtoNy nose
IS hattened and turned up lkedhatgof
Socrates; I've lost a inger4 Is that
enough? The battle did but II it
gives me you I'm happy"
1t was an e~xtravagant message, but
it meant much to the wounded man,
and when he received a reply to it that
made him happier than he had ever
been in his life he took a wonderful
turn toward health and surprised the
nurses and doctors who were attend.
ing him.
When he left the hospital it was
the promise to Mary Sprague
that he would bring his bride back to
help with the splendid work that she
had been pursuing and that he would
help In every capacity in which he
would be permitted to help.