Middletown transcript., 1916-12-30
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
The hot August days dragged on
MercileSS sunlight beat in through the
Slated shutters of ward windows. AT
| night, from the roof to wMch the
nurses retired after prayers for q
breath of air, lower surrounding roofs
were seen to be covered with sleepers
Children dOzed precariOusly on the
edge of eternity; men and women
sprawled in the grOtesque pOstures of
sleep.
There was a sort of feyerish irrita-
bility in the air. Even the nurses, StO-
ically unmindful Of bodily discomfort
spoke curtly or not at all. Miss Dana,
In Sidney's ward, went down with a
low fever, and for Il day or so Sidney
and Miss Grange got along as best
they could. Sidney worked like two or
more, performed marvels of bed max
ing, learned to give ftie01f6f baths fer
fever with the maximum of result and
the minimum Of time, even made
rounds with a members Of the staff and
came through creditably.
DR.. Ed Wilson had sent a woman pa
tient into the ward, and his visits
were the breath of life to the girl.
How're they treating your he
asked her, one day, abruptly.
Every we'll"
Look at me Squarely. You're pret-
ty and you're young. Some of them
will try to take it out of you. That's hui
man nature. Has anyone tried it YETI"
Sidney looked distressed.
Positively, no. It's been hot, and
of course it's troublesome to tell me
everything. II think they're all
very kind"
He reached out square, competent
hand, and put it over hers.
t'We miss you in the Street" he
said. "It's all sort of dead there since
you left"
He went out and down the corridor.
He had known Sidney all his life.
During the lonely times when Max
was at college and in Europe he had
watched her grow from a child to a
young girl. He did not suspect for
moment that In that secret heart of
hers he sat newly enthroned, in a
glow of white light as MaX's brother !;
that the mere thought that he lived
in Max's house lit was, Of course, Max's
house to her), sat at MaX'S breakfast
table, could see him whenever he
wished, made the touch of his hand on
hers a benedictf0n and a caress.
-CarlOtta Harrison, back from her
vacation, reported for duty and was
assigned to E ward, which was Sid
ney's. She gave Sidney a curt little
nod, and proceeded to change the en-
tire routine with the thOroughness of
a Central American revolutionary
president. Sidney who had yet to
learn that with some people authority
can only assert itself by change,
found herself confused, at sea, half
resentful. She got the worst Off-duty
of the day, or none. Small humilia-
tiOns we're hers late meals, disagree
able duties, endless and often unnec-
essary tasks. Ignorant of the cause
of her persecution, she went steadily
on her way.
And she was gaining every day. Her
mind was forming. She was learning
to think for herself. On the whole,
the world was good, she found. And,
Of all the good things in it, the best
was service. True there were hot
days and restless nights, weary feet,
and now and then heartache. There
was Miss Harrison, too. But to offset
these there was the sound of Doctor
Nax's step in the corridor, and his
smiling nod from the door; there was
a God bless you" now and then for
the comfort she gave; there were
wonderful nights on the roof under
the stars, until KS little watch
warned her to bed.
&. was having his own troubles in
those days. Late ut night, when Anna
and Harriet had retired, he sat on
the balcony and thought of many
things. Anna Page was not well. He
had noticed that her lips were rather
blue, and had called In Doctor Ed. 1t
was valVular heart disease. Anna
was not to be told, or Sidney. It was
Harriet's ruling.
Sidney can't help any," said Har-
riet, "and for heavens sake let her
have her chance. Anna may live for
years. You know her as well as
do. If you tell her anything at all,
she'll have Sidney here, waiting on
her hand and foot"
And LIE MOyne. fearful Of urging too
much because his own heart was cry
ing out to have the girl back, assented.
Then. K. was anxious about Joe.
The boy did not seem to get over the
thing the way he should. Now and