Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-03-15

L
er Wilson. These young men came IN
and tore things up.
Sidney went into the operating room
that afternoon. For her blue uni
form, kerchlef, and cap she exchanged
the hideOus operatIng-roOm garb: long
straight white gown with short sleeves
and mob cap. gray-white from many
sterIlizatlons. But the ugly costume
seemed 10 emphasize her beauty. as the
habit OF n nun often brings out the
placid salntllness OF her fnce.
The relationship between Sidney and
Max had reached that point that oc-
ours In all relationships between men
and women: when things must either
90 forward or 60 back. but cannot TO
main as they are. The condition had
existed for the last three months. II
exasperated the man.
As matter Of fact, Wilson could not
20 ahead. The situation with Carlotta
had become tense, irritating. BE felt
that abe stood ready to block any move
he made. BE would not 90 back. and
he dared not 60 forward.
II Sidney was puzzled, she kept II
bravely to herself. In her little room
at night. with the door carefully
locked, she tried 10 think things out.
There were q few treasures TINT she
looked over regularly: dried flower
from the Christmas roses; a label that
he had pasted plnyfully on the back
Of her hand one day after the rush OF
surgical dressings was over and which
said: "R, Take once and forever"
There was another piece OF paper
over which Sidney spent much time.
IL was q page torn out Of an order
book, and II read: "Slgsbee may
have light diet: Rosenfeld massage
Llderneath was written, very small {;
You are the most beautiful person III
the world.
Two reasons had prompted Wilson
to request TO have Sidney In the oper-
atlng room. He wanted her with him.
and he wanted her TO see him ut work !;
the age-old instinct Of the male to have
his woman seq him at his best.
The deepening and broadening OF
SlGney's character had been very no.
ticeable In the last few months She
had gained in decision without becom-
ing hard; had learned to see things as
they are, not through the rose mist OF
early girlhood' and, far from being
daunted. had developed a philosophy
that had for its basis God in his heaven
and all well with the world.
But her new theory Of acceptance
did not comprehend everything. She
was In state OF wild revolt, for in
stance, as TO Johnny ROsenfeld, and
more remotely but not less deeply con-
cerned over Grace Irving. Soon she
Was to learn Of Titles predicament
and to take up the cudgels valiantly
for her.
But her revolt was to be for herself
too. On the day after her appointment
to the operating room, she had her
half-holiday, and when, after n restless
night, she went to her new station, 1t
was to learn that Wilson had been
called out of the city in consultation
and would not operate that day.
O'Hara would take advantage OF the
free afternoon TO run In some odds and
ends Of cases.
The operating room made gauze that
morning, and small packets OF tam
pons: absorbent cotton covered with
sterllized gauze, and fastened togeth-
er-twelve. by careful count, in each
bundle.
Miss Grange, who had been kind to
Sidney in her probation months, taught
her the method.
USED instead Of sponges," she ex-
planned. IF you noticed yesterday,
they were counted before and after
each operation. One of these missing
is worse than bank clerk out Il dol
lar at the end Of the day. There's no
closing up until it's found"
Sidney eyed the small packet before
her anxiously.
what a hideous responsibility"
abe said.
From that time on she handled the
small gauZe spOnges almost reverently.
The operating rOOm-all glass, white
enamel, and shining nickel plate-frst
then thrilled her. 1t was
as II, having loved great actor, she
now trOd the enchanted boards on
which he achieved his triumphs. She
was glad that 1t was her afternoon of,
and that she would not see some lesser
star-O'Hara, to wit-usurping his
place. But Max had not sent her any
word. That hurt.
The operating room was hive Of
Industry, and tongues kept pace with
fingers. What news Of the world came
N through the great doors was trans
ated at once into hospital terms.
What the city forgot the hospital re-
1t took up life where the
town left It at its gates, and carried
t on or saw 1t ended, as the case might
be. So these young women knew the
ending of many stories, the beginning
IF some; but of none did they know
both the first and last, the beginning
md the end.
By many small kindnesses Sidney
lad made herself popular. And there
uaa nnnne tn II than that She never |