The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-16
EVENING STORY
Jacks Red Cross Girl.
(By Joseph T. Kescel.)

10y JOSepn i. heScSl-1
He, on the Texas border. called her
his RED Cross Girl" we, in the big
government hospital. Merry Sun
Of sunshine. Moving among us with
her CHEEKY good morning" she ar
ranged pillow here and there, while
beaming into upturned faces.
Nature had made her light. She
was light of complexion, and beneath 4
spotless cap of white, in the bright
morning sun, her light hair shone like
newly beaten gold. She had laughing
blue eyes that sparkled like ripping
waters. Her 1.-the, active figure blend
ed tremendously with tie dainty
nurses uniform she wore
The big ward-our ward-was filled
TO its capacity. The sudden call of the
militia to the Rio Grande had exacted
it's full quota of sick men. Stricken
by fever, accidentally injured or tenn
porarily affected by the heat of the
southwest our hospital always had
many inmates AS each pain-racked
figure was brought in, Merry Sunshine
could not conceal her anxiety 1t
might be her Jack, dear old Jack, so
noble, good and handsome, who had
been one of the first to leave for the
border. Wishing to be near him ana
also to serve her country. she had fol-
lowed her sweetheart, the day after
his departure, but many miles still
separated them.
She would question the guardsmen.
Did they know Jack? she would ask
No, they did not. 1t was always the
same answer, tho some had heard OF
him.
One bright August morning they
carried into the ward a khaki-clad, de-
lirious figure, who waved an imag-
mary saber with his unbandaged arm,
shouting wildly, up and at them
Jack; up and at them. Good boy,
Jack; see them run. They're break
ing, they're breaking. Well chase 'em
into the gulf"
With eager, trembling hands she
| examined the regimenta1 number on
the sick mans uniform. 1t was the
same regiment as her Jacks. Was it
| possible this tossing, fever-stricken
form knew her sweetheart?
Far into the night she sat by the
wounded mans side Long past her
him little attentions that tended to re-
lieve pain and make rest more COM
Portable. Only when hidden by the
head nurse to retire did she. leave
the ward. She requested permission
to remain. but was fatty refused, be-
cause of her already lengthy vigil.
In the cool quiet of the early morn
| ing, a few days later, Merry Sunshine
attention was rewarded by a gentle
sigh from the new patient. He was
freed of his delirium and his eyes
| slowly grew clearer. A wan smile
parted his lips as she bent over him
Jacks sweetheart, the Red Cross
girl" he whispered joyfully. 81
know you from the picture in his
watch case"
With a cry of delight she heard
Yes. Jack was by my side when we
charged across a stretch of cactus
covered plain during some drill man
euvers- l remember my horse pitch
ing forward, my head striking the
| ground and nothing else until this
moment" r
The voice gradually weakened. AL
most inaudibly he mumbled, I'm
tired now, very tired ,Letter-inside
-pocket-blouse- which 1 was to
mail-because Jack-stationed long
and he lapsed into peaceful slumber.
"A letter from Jack. oh, how
good!' With hurrying footsteps she
went into the big storeroom. Her eagei
hands searched among numerou:
packages until they came to the mum.
gers she unfoided the welI-worf
khaki uniform. There it was. Hastil,
she tore it open. Color rushed to hel
fresh young face, her eyes filling will
tears, which glistened like dewdrop:
in the morning sun. A bell rang tn,
call to duty The letter must wait
With Il long, sweet kiss she placed. i
over her heart in the folds of her i'm
maculate uniform.
Months passed and the strained
situation at the border had calm1.
subsidized. A long troop train role,
into the station of a northern cit,
amid shrieking whistles and tn
shoarse shouts of the multitude upol
the platform. Uniformed men, thei
heads protruding from the long lin
he \
recognized in the immense crowd tn
face of mother, father, wife, sister
brother, sweetheart or friend.
Accompanied by the grinding O
brakes and release of air. the trail
came to full stop. Vestfbules wer