The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-21

ton; his reluctant acquiescence-and
then l managed to slip away as they
came out of the little place together.
It would be two months till Doctor
templated remaining indefinitely.
never saw two people look 80
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-
tients. and I had perceived the dissi-
pated-looking man in the corner, and
Nurse Joyce look in and disappear
with q startled expression. l had car
ried back some bottles to the dispen-
sary when l 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 / learned that the man had
recognized his wife and was to under
90 an operation. He had come in
quite by chance. 1t was serious, and
might De extremely so, but there was
a probability that he would live
through it.
The next morning 1t was Nurse Joyce
who administered the ether. l never
saw 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 sat
at the head. dropping ether quietly
upon the cone. l seemed all at once
to see right into their hearts.
II the patient recovered, knew
that Nurse Joyce was resolved to get
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 q
test. II Nurse Joyce were resolute
not to violate her conscience, but to
send Doctor Raymond from her. then
the man would die. But SO long as
she was bent on marrying Raymond
he would get we'll.
don't know how I came to reason
out this singular paradox. But I
knew 1t by q sort Of intuition. I
prayed that the wreck might die, II
she didn't change her decision. But
he passed through the operation we'll.
and In q few hours he was on the
mend. The next day he was declared
out of danger. and he lay on his bed.
following her with looks Of dumb
gratitude as she passed.
saw her talking to Raymond out.
side the door the second night. My
ears are sharp-a nurses have to be.
Anyway. l heard what they we're say.
ing.
"You will come with me as soon az
he is out Of danger. then" whispered
Raymond.
saw her shake her head and place
her hand on his shoulder.
Il can't, DEAR" she answered.
His eyes hardened; his lips were
compressed tightly. "Why?" he de-
manded.
Because have watched him who
was my husband once. and Is still,
lying in the bed. watching me In
turn" she answered. His eyes are
like the eyes Of Q dumb animal. Harry.
Have you not seen them? And I cant
1T breaks my heart. but I can't"
said that It had come ~ . test to
her. had felt confident that her hus.
bands useless life served no other
purpose now but to develop the high.
est In her. And she had risen to II
nobly. felt quite sure the man would
die.
I saw Miriam Joyce turn back and
dash her hand across her streaming
eyes. And at that moment I heard
Q choking gasp from the bed
A clot Of blood, they said, such az
forms rarely after operations and may
cause immediate death II carried into
the heart. It may have been. But
at least the paradox was an odd one
I II ~