Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-11-20
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copyright. by Mcclure Publications. Inc.)
CHAPTER VIII,

| oiuHey never forgot her early I'M
pressions Of the hospital, although
they were chaotic enough at first.
There were uniformed young women
coming and going, efficient, cool-eyed,
low of voice. There were long WIS.,
tas Of shining floors and lines of beds.
There were brisk internes with duck
clothes and brass buttons, who eyed
her with friendly, patronizing glances.
There were bandages and dressings,
and great white screens, behind which
were played little or big dramas,
baths or deaths, as the case might be.
And over all brooded the mysterious
authority Of the superintendent of the
training school, dubbed the Head, for
short.
Twelve hours a day from seven to
seven, with the off-duty intermlssion,
Sidney laborei at tasks which revolted
her soul. She swept and busted the
wards, cleaned closets, folded sheets
and towels, rolled bandages-dld ev-
erythlng but nurse the sick, which was
what she had come to do.
At night she did not go home. She
sat on the edge Of her narrow, whige
bed and soaked her aching feet in not
water and witch-hazel, and practiced
taking pulses on her own slender wrist,
with KS little watch.
Out Of all the long, hot days. two
periods stood out clearly, TO be waited
for and cherished. One was when,
early in the afternoon, with the ward
In spotless order, the shades drawn
against the August sun, the tables COW
cred with their red covers and the
only sound the drone Of the bandage-
machine as Sidney steadily turned it.
Doctor Max passed the door on his
way TO the surgical ward beyond, and
gave her CHEEKY greeting. At these
times Sldney's heart beat almost In
time with the ticking Of the little
watch.
The other hour was at twilight,
when. work over for the day, the night
nurse, with her rubber.soled shoes and
tired eyes and jangllng keys, having
reported and received the night orders,
the nurses gathered In their small par
Tor for prayers. 1t was months before
Sidney got over the exaltation Of that
twilight hour, and never did II cease
TO bring her healing ard peace. In a
/ way. II crystalliZed for her what the
days work meant: charity and It's sis
ter service, the promise OF rest and
peace. Into the little parlor filed the
nurses, and knelt, folding their tired
hands.
THE Lord is my shepherd read the
Head out Of her worn Bible; II shall
not want"
And the nurses: "He maketh me TO
lie down Ia green pastures: he leadeth
me beside the still waters"
And 30 on through the psalm TO the
assurance at the end, "And will dwell
In the house OF the Lord forever"
Now and then there was aIeath be.
hind one OF the white screens. Il
caused little change In the routine OF
the ward. A nurse stayed behind the
screen, and her work was done by the
others. When everything was over.
the time was recorded exactly on the
record, ana the body was taken away.
At first II seemed 10 Sidney that she
could not stand this nearncss 10 death.
She thought the nurses hard because
they took II quietly. Then she found
that Il was only stolclsm, resignation.
that they had learned. These things
must be. and the work must go on.
Their philosophy made them no less
tender. Some such patient detachment
must be that OF the angels who keep
the Great Record.
On her first Sunday half.hollday, she
was free In the morning. and went 10
church with her mother, going back TO
the hospital after the service. So II
was two weeks before she saw lie
Moync again. Even then. IL was only
for short time. Christine and Palmer
Howe came In TO see her, and TO In.
spcct the balcony, now finished.
But Sidney and lie Moyae had a few
words together first.
There was n change In sidney. 10
Moync was quick 20 see Il. She was
triilc subducj, with puzzled look In
her blue eyes, Her mouth was tender,
rs always, but be thought Il dropped.
There was new atmosphere " visit.
fulnCsS about the girl that made his
heart ache.
They were alone In the little parlor
with Its brown lamp aud blue silk
shade. X. never smoked in the parlor.
but by sheer force OF habit he held
the pipe In his teeth.
"And how have things been gclngf'
asked Sidney practically.
"iour steward has little 20 report.
Aunt Harriet, who left you her love,
has had the complete order for the
Lorcns trousscau. | thought I'd ask
you about the veil. We're rather In
a quandary. DO you like this new
fashion Of draplng the veil from be,
hind the couture In the back"
Sidney had been sitting on the edge
Of her chair. staring.
There" she said-'T knew III This