New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-01-12
CHAPTER TX.

CHAP En- TX.
The hot August days dragged on,
Merciless sunlight beat in through the
Slated shutters Of ward windows. AT
night, from the roof to which the
nurses retired after prayers for a
breath of air, lower surrounding roofs
We're seen to be covered with s%leepers.
Children dozed precariously on the
edge of eternity; men and women
spraWled in the grotesque postures of
sleep.
There was Il sort of feverlSh irrita-
bility in the air. Even the nurses, sto-
ically unmindful Of bodily discomfort
spoke CURLY or not at all. Miss Dana,
low fever, and for a 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 alcohol baths for
fever with the maximum of result and
the minimum of time, even made
rounds with Il members of the staff and
ca,nt through creditnbly.
DR.. Ed Wilson had sent a woman pa
tient into the ward, and his visits
We're the breath Of life to the girl.
How're they treating you? he
asked her, u day, abruptly.
Every we'll"
Look at me squarely. You're pref
t- and N-np'rn Nnnnu Snpnn of fhnt,,
will try to take it out Of you. That's hui
man nas"Ee. Has anyone tried it yet?'
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"
lie reached out n square, competent
hand, and put it over hers.
1--WE miss you in the Street." he
said. ITS all sort of dead there since
you left"
lie 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. lie did not suspect for
a moment that in that secret heart of
hers he sat newly enthrOned, in q
glow of white light, las Max's brother; |
that the mere thought that he lived
n Max's house (it was, of course, Max's
house to her), sat at Max's breakfast |
table, could sec him whenever he
wished, made the touch of his hand on
hers n benedictiOn and a caress.
Carlotta Harrison, back from her
vacation, reported for duty and was
assigned to f ward which was Sid
ley's. She gave Sidney Il curt little
lod, and proceeded to change the en-
ire routine with the thoroughness of
/ Central American revolutionary
president. Sidney, who had yet to
earn that with some people authority
AN only assert itself by change,
'ound herself confused, at sea, half
'eSentful. She got the worst off-duty
# the day, Or one Small humilia-
ions We're hers: late meals, disagree
bile duties, endless and often unnec-
'ssary tasks. Ignorant of the cause
# her persecution, she went steadily
her way.
And she was gaining every day. Her
was forming. She was learning
o think for herself. On the whole,
he world vas good, she found. And,
f all the good things in it, the best
as service. True there we're hot
avs and restless nights, weary feet,
now and then a heartache. There
as Miss Harrison, too. But to offset
hese there was the sound of Doctor
step in the corridor, and his
nod from the door; there was
God bless you" now and then for
ne comfort she gave; there were
'onderful nights on the roof under
ne stars, until KS little watch 5
armed her to bed. |
f,
X. was having his own troubles In I
lose days. Late at night, when Anna I
nd Harriet had retired, he sat on I
lie balcony and thought of many /;
lings. Anna Page was not well. He G
nd noticed that her lips were rather :
.ue, and had called in Doctor Ed. 1t
as valvular heart disease. Anna
as not to be told, or Sidney. 1t was q
~arriet's ruling. Y
Sidney can't help any," said Har- v
ct, "and for heavens sake let her a
her chance. Anna may live for b
airs. You know her as well as f
If you tell her anything at all, v
IeTl have Sidney here. waiting on a
n hand and foot" n
And LIE Moyne, fearful of urging too "
UGH because his W heart was cry ii
g out to have the girl back, assented. a
Then, X. was anxious about Joe. h
ne boy did not seem to get over the
ing the way he should. Now and |,