The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-06-15
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What Troubled Madge as She Waited
Beside the Wounded Officer.
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| ] The word was hardly more than a
~ breath, but it startled me as if il
had been the ping Of bullet close to
my ear.
For it came from the lips of the
wounded officer whom was helping to
nurse, and there was sanity in it instead
of the disjointed murmurs which he had
been uttering before.
| had been so engrossed in thoughts
OF Dicky that had lost sight for the
moment of the important task which
had been delegated to me, that of calm
ng by my presence the dellrious imagn-
ngs of the wounded man before me.
| looked down quickly into his face
although my eyes were somewhat
blurred by the rush of tears which had
come to them at my thoughts of my
husband, and which | had in some fash
ion kept from shedding The wounded
officers eyes were open and he was
looking intently at me, The wild light b
of which the nurse had told me--had
gone out of them. In its stead there
was look of unutterable relief, but
even as my eyes cleared and | saw him
clearly, a shadow crept into his.
"You-ae-real2" he said slowly,
doubtfully. You-are-alive?"
VERY much alive" answered cheeri-
ly, for instinct told me this was the best
way to reassure him As spoke
took my hand from his forehead
IIa g,pusvnJ | JtI 81 t,,LoI
like an unhappy child.
"Don't-take-lt--away" he said
painfully. "I-like it,"
am Not Go Away"
Reluctantly resumed the smoothing
Of his hair back from his forehead, the
service which the nurse had requested
Of me while he was delirious was
furious at myself because couldn't
control the flush which overspread my
ACE at his request.
lie did not see my embarrassment.
however, for he had closed his eyes as
he spoke, and for a little while lay
quiet. so quiet, indeed that | was be-
ginning to be alarmed. But Just as |
was about to appeal to the Nurse, who
also was watching him, he opened his
eyes again.
"Why did your eyes have tears IN
them Just now" he asked, and this
time his words came less painfully.
closer together Are you hurt badly,
after alp I've been afraid they were
lying to me"
His voice rose in excitement | saw
that the only way to quiet him was the
method one would use with frightened
child. bent a little closer TO him
Look at me" l said. Just a hint Of
sharpness in my tone, "and listen care
fully while ! tell you the absolute
truth. / am not hurt | am very we'll.
and you must have been mistaken about
the tears in my eyes You don't see
any there now do you2"
smiled at him as | asked the last
question, and slow weak grin curved
the corners of his mouth
Mary a one" he returned with pitt
ful attempt at lightness, and then the
nurse interviewed
Take this now, please she said,
"and then close your eyes and try 10
60 10 sleep"
She held a formidable looking dose of
medicine out to him He looked up at
her rebelliously
81 don't want TO go 10 sleep"
81 know" soothingly But you
must" the note Of authority predom-
inant
viii she stay right here and not let
go my hand?"
The nurse looked at me, a calm, pro-
fessional glance, yet | could not but
imagine that her eyelashes veilcd a
quizzical look | felt myself flushing
again, but knew there was only one