The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-02-01

bA'I- HI'lt' II ever l III SICK or IuTI,
will you nurse me-"
"YeS, Doctor Rraen." Kathlecn's
gray eyes were losing some of their
fear.
Then things began to happen very
fast. The ambulance bell sounded in
the courtyard below and the nurses
and ordcrlies seemed to be everywhere
ar once.
Doctor Breen had hurried away and
Kathleen went back TO her patients
in X ward wondering what II was all
about.
what is IT, she asked an inferno
as the elevator passed her floor slow
ly with a new burden of men on
Stretchers.
Explosion in the Blue Dianond
mills" came the answer.
In an hour Miss LOwnes came in.
"YOu are 10 go 70 room twenty-five on
the mems floor" she said icily. "SOme
Of the doctors went 90 the scene of the
accident and wall fell. Doctor Breen
was hurt"
Doctor Breen hurt! Kathleen CROPPED
her way blindly 10 the stairs. She had
promised, and she would 60.
He was unconscious and did not
know her. however Kathleen helped
with bandages and splints. the doctors
and two nurses working silently and
quickly. But there was other work
IN nd
needed elsewhere. So Kathleen was
left alone with her patient for a
while.
He slept all the first day. The night
brought n fever and the next day de-
lirium. He began to talk.
Pretty! Just the prettieSt thing
you ever saw. but she scares like
little gray mouse. She's sweet
sweet! !" he went on. "Gray eyes. long
lashes and skin Ike alike a tearose"
He was quiet for while; then sudden
ly. Kathleen. little Kathleen. don't be
afraid. I'm only thirty"
The little nurse started and famed
red. Could he be talking about herr
He was getting very restless and ex-
cited. II want her. Get me Kathleen.
Kathleen" he called.
Finally she said quietly, laying a
cool hand on his, Here's Kathleen be-
side you"
kiss me, dear. Kiss me, Kath-
leen." He caught her two hands and
pulled her down. After all, II was
only to humor a sick man, and she
was too tired to care much what hap
pened. So her lips touched his cheek
lightly.
"Miss Starling!"
II was Miss Lownes' voice. Kath-
leen looked up quickly but fearlessly.
There was another woman with the
head nurse, a richly dressed woman Of
middle age. whose resemblance to the
man on the bed identified her as his
mother.
kathleen :" called the sick man.
"You may 60, MISS Startling. There
is little to say. You are dismissed.
That's all. believe"
And then something In the timid lit
tie mouse of a nurse broke loose.
"You are condemning me unheard,
Miss Lownes. and II isn't fair. You
are taking advantage OF a sick mans
within to get me out Of the way be-
cause you've never liked me. But be-
fore | go" the little head with its
crown Of chestnut hair went up very
high and the gray eyes flashed. Il
want to tell you something. I'm q
Startling and my mother was a Brix.
ton. Neither a Brixton nor a Star
ling ever did anything dishonorable.
My grandfather is John Rigby Brix-
ton, who built this hospital and en-
dowed II. wonder what he'll think.
And my father. Or. Amos Startling, is
the best known American surgeon In
the French army now" proudly.
Miss Lownes was aghast. Mrs.
Breen too astonlshed to speak. Then
voice spoke quietly from the bed
'Tve heard everything. and | can only
divine what's wrong, but want moth
er to know that Kathleen is going to
marry me. Aren't you. Kathleen"
"Ycs," answered the little nurse
turning toward him happily. There
was 10 Fear now. an do anything II
You only get WELL"
Copyright. 1916 by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate)