Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-08-10

Mabel a,.rbart Uros, snell.
There's only
pillowcases and spread-no large
sheets"
"Then we haven't any more" weak
ly. you've changed the bed every
day"
"A sick bed must be changed every
day" with irritating assertiveness.
"Tll phone Ardman's and have some
sent up special"
Mrs. O'Grady washes today pro-
tested Helen helplessly.
"But l want to fix you up before
| the doctor comes. You'll need more
sheets anyway" she was looking for
the number. Hello. Bryant S22O0.-
| ArdmanIs? THE linen department,
please"
The flush on Helen's face was not
due wholly to the fever. as she listened
with smothered resentment To Miss
Saunders authoritative order for four
sheets. dOube-bed size. sent special.
Her aversion for this nurses asSer-
tive personality had become feverish
animosity. And her extravaganza
her wasteful extravaganza
| Miss Saunders was now by the bed
shaking down the thermometer.
"Oh. rinse it off first" objected
Helen, shrinking back.
"Rinse il OFF," with flush of dis
pleasure. 81 never give a thermome-
ter without washing it thoroughly.
Under the tongue. please
Their eyes met in open hostility as
Helen held the glass tube between her
unwilling lips. II had not been washed
With an air of cold displeasure. Miss
| Saunders took her pulse, removed the
thermometer and replaced it still I'M
washed.
Knowing her temperature was taken
every few hours. Helen grimly deter
mined to watch that thermometer.
Would she dare give ii to her again
without making even pretense mt
rinsing 1t?
There had been other things about
which the nurse seemed inexcusably
careless. In many little ways Helen
knew she was deliberately ignoring the
doctors orders about the sterile and
antiseptic precautions.
I'D like to brush my teeth first" as
Miss Saunders appeared with cup OF
chicken broth.
"You can do that afterward. want
You to have this while its hot
az haven't brushed my teeth this
morning" combated Helen firmly.
Her thin mouth set in obstinate
lines. she brought glass of water
toothbrush and small enameled bowl
BEYOND holding the glass, she made ne
effort to prop Helen's head or to helF
in the awkward operation.
"Oh. I hate her-I hate her" faret
Helen inwardly as the nurse removed
the things, her disdainfui fingers hold
ing the toothbrush as though 1t were
communicating.
The lump of enmity in her throat
Helen barely tasted the broth. Leav
ing the soup on the table, the nurs'
rustled out to answer the phone.
"Hello!-Oh. it's Mr.. Curtis She
resting very quietly.-Yes, she's hSt
her broth"
For the moment Helen's hOstilit.
was submerged in the thrilled GLOW
that Warren had called up within al
hour after he had reached the Office.
"You can take that broth out-an'
wash all those glasses" ordered MIS-
Saunders, as Dora came in with tn
sweeper and dust cloth.
81 got my own work to do sui
lenly.
"Ernpty' that wastebasket," cooll
ignoring her unwiIlingness. And pu
n fresh towel on this stand before tn
doctor comes"
81 don't want to worry you whe
you're sick, ma'am-but | can't do m
work and hers too" muttered Dora
rs the nurse fiounced out. "She Ough
to do n little somethin' to earn her fiv
dollars n day.
Try to get along the best you car
Dora. 1t won't be for long," concil
ated fIelen.
"If YOU could see the way she waste
things in the kitchen. All them whit
eggs she uses for that albumen wa
ter-what d'you think she does wit
the yolks? Throws them in the sink
Throws them away?" indignant.
"Why didn't you tell herr
mo. ma'am, 1 won't have no word
with her. | won't take no more
her orders-and she needn't come OF
there maxim n lot of dishes"
As the morning dragged on,
seemed to Helen that Miss Saundei
deliberately contrived to irritate an
antagorize her. Instead of nurse
soothing sympathy. her whole attitud
was raspingly combative.
When at II O'Clock she again too
the thermometer from the chi
fonier. Helen was watching her ever
| movement. Without even taking it I'M
| the bathroom. she shook ii down an
| brought it TO the bed.
"NIiSs Saunders with quiet II
/ tensity. chat thermometer hasn't bee
/ washed since had ii before"
| 81 beg your pardon" lOftily, but
1 ALWAYS wash thermometer when
| take it from the patients mouth. u
/ der your tongue. please
/ "You didn't wash this one" unfiinc
Il ipgly. 81 watched you
"Now I'd like to take your temper
/ ture." Her voice implied that Helen