The Lamar register., 1917-01-17
the KISS
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


had been patience itself. fact so no
ticeable that the rest of the training
school first wondered then comment
ed, and finally gossiped.
One day the head surgeon met her
In the hall
Doctor Breen regarded her mo
ment In silence. the way her color was
coming and going. the way her fingers
opened and closed
"Why are you afraid OF me. Miss
Starling?" he asked finally. I'm not
such a bear, am ~"
"N-no !" stammered Kathleen, turn
ing away her eyes
And I'm not very old How old do
you think | ann"
"I-don't-knOw."
only thirty. That's not old enough
to develop any full-sized Crouch. now
Is IT."
"No."
She was uneasy and wanted 10 get
away The head nurse was likely to
discover that she was talking Ia one
Of the doctors IN the hall and she
would be reprimnnded.
Doctor Breen understood. Never
mind about Miss Lownes, III fix this
up with her. want to ask you some
thing more. II ever I'm sick or hurt
will you nurse meT'
"Yes. Doctor Breen." Kathleen's
gray eyes were losing some OF their
fear.
Then things began to happen very
fast. The ambulance bell sounded In
the courtyard below and the nurses
and orderlies seemed to he everywhere
at once.
Doctor Breen had hurried away and
Kathleen went back TO her patients
In K ward wondering what It was all
about.
what is IT." she asked an Inferno
as the elevator passed her floor slow
ly with a new burden Of men on
stretchers.
Explosion in the Blue Diamond
mills" came the answer
In an hour Miss Lownes came in.
You are TO go to room twenty-five on
the mems floor" she said iclly. Some
Of the doctors went to the scene OF the
accident and a wall fell. Doctor Breen
was hurt"
Doctor Breen hurt Kathleen CROPPED
her way blindly to the stairs. She had
promised, and she would go.
He was unconscious and did not
know her. however. Kathleen helped
with bandages and spllnts. the doctors
and two nurses working silently and
quickly. But there was other work
to do-terrihle work: and they were
needed elsewhere So Kathleen was
left alone with her patient for
while.
He slept all the first day. The night
brought fever and the next day de
lirium. He began to talk.
Pretty Just the prettiest thing
you ever saw, but she scares like a
little gray mouse. She's sweet
sweet r. he went on. Gray eyes. long
lashes and skin like Alike tearose"
He was quiet for a while; then sudden
ly, Kathleen. little Kathleen. don't be
afraid. I'm only thirty"
The little nurse started and famed
red. Could he be talking about herr
He was getting very restless and e1-
cited. ~ want her. Get me Kathleen.
Kathleen - he called
Finally she said quietly, laying a
cool hand on his. Here's Kathleen be
side you"
kiss me. dear Kiss me. Kath-
leen." He caught her two hands and
pulled her down. After all. II was
only to humor sick man. and she
was too tired to care much what hap
pened. So her lips touched his cheel;
lightly
Miss Starlingr
II was Miss Lownes' voice Kath-
leen looked up quickly but fearlessly.
There was another woman with the
head nurse, a richly dressed woman Of
middle age, whose resemblance to the
man on the bed Identified her as his
mother.
kathleen =" called the sick man.
you may go, Miss Startling. There
is little to say. You are dismissed.
That's all, believe"
And then something In the timid lit
tie mouse of nurse broke loose
"You are condemning me unheard.
Miss Lownes, and It isn't fair. You
are taking advantage OF a sick mans
within to get me out Of the way be
cause you've never liked me- But be
fore go" the little head with Its
crown of chestnut hair went up very
high and the gray eyes flashed. II