Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-02-01
CHAPTER tx.

CHAPTER 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
were seen to be covered with sleepers.
Children dazed precariously on the
edge Of eternity; men and women
sprawIed In the grotesque postures Of
sleep.
There was a sort OF feyerish irrita-
biiity III the air. Even the nurses, sto-
lcally uumindfII OF bodily discomfort
spoke CURLY or not at all, Miss Dana,
in Sidney's ward. went down with Il
low fever, and for a day or 50 Sidney
and Miss Grange got along as best
they could, Sidney worked like two or
more, performed maryels Of bed max
In. learned to give alcohol baths for
fever with the maximum Of result and
the minimum of tine, even made
rounds with Il members Of the staff and
came through cTetiitahly.
DR.. Ell Wilson had sent a woman pa
tlent into the ward. and his visits
were the breath Of life to the girl.
How're they treating your he
asked her, Il day. abruptly.
VERY we'll"
Look III me sauarely. You're pref
ty and you're young. Some Of them
will try to take it out Of You. That's hu.
man Lature. Has anyone tried 1t YETI
Sidney looked distressed.
Positively, no. It's been hot, and
Of course It's troublesome to tell me
everything. IL think they're all
very kind
He reached out q square. competent
hand, and put it oyer hers.
"We MISS you in the Street." he
said. ITS all sort Of dead there since
you left"
He 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 d
young girl. He did not suspect for
q moment that In that secret heart of
hers he sat newly enthroned, In a
glow Of white light, as Max's brother {;
that the mere thought that he lived
In Max's house lit was, of course, Max's
| house to iler). sat at Max's breakfast
| table, could see him whenever he
| wished. made the touch Of his hand on
hers a benediction and a caress.
Carl0tta Harrison, back from her
vacation, reported for duty and was
assigned 70 Il ward, which was Sid
ney's. She gave Sidney a curt little
nod. and proceeded to change the en-.
tire routine with the t%horoughness Of
a Central American revolutionary
president. Sidney, who had vet to
learn that with some people authority
can only assert Itself by change.
found herself confused, at sea, half
~resentful. She got the worst ofr-luty
Of the day, or none. Small humilia.
tons were hers: late meals, disagree
able duties. endless and often unnec-
essary tasks. Ignorant Of the cause
Of her persecution, she went steadily
on her way.
And she was gaining every day. Her
mind was forming. She was learning
to think for herself. On the whole,
the world was good, she found. And,
Of all the good things In 1t, the best
was service. True there we're hot
days and restless nights, weary feet,
and now md then n heartache. There
was Miss Harrison, too. But to offse,
these there was the sound Of Doctor
Max's step In the corridor, and his
smiling nod from the door; there was
a God bless you" now and then for
the comfort she gave; there were
wonderful nights on the roof under
the stars. until KS little watch
warned her to bed.
A. n. was having his own troubles In
those days. Late ut night, when Annn
ind Harriet had retired, he sat on
the balcony and thought Of many
things. Anna Page was not well. III
had noticed that her lips were rathe,
blue, and had called In Doctor Ed, II
was ynlvulnr heart disease. Anna
was not to be told, or Sidney. It wa,
Harrlet's ruling.
. "SIdney can't help any" said Har
J riet, 'and for heavens sake let hel
have her chance. Anna may live 70,
years. You know her Oh well a.
do. II you tell her anything at all
she'll have Sidney here. waiting or
. her hand and foot"
And Le Loyne. fearful Of urging too
much because bis own heart wss err,
Ing out to have the girl back, assented
Thea, X. WAS anxious about Joe
1hs boy did not seem to ct over III
tkl0R thu var hn ahnmlA- Nn,v awA