Charlevoix county herald., 1919-08-15

BY GLADYS PLUMMER.

/
beds, similar to the one he occupied,
but was Immediately smoothed by re-
membrance as sharp pain shot
through his left leg.
"A hospital" came from the thin, ex-
pressive lips.
YES, dear, hospital"
Jimmy's head turned quickly to the
pretty nurse sitting at his bedside.
you ran in front of an automobile and
your left leg is broken. Keep up good
courage. and in few weeks you will
be about again. / will tell the house
doctor you are conscious" she con-
tinued, "and he will send word to your
home"
He'll have job to find 1t, guess"
said the boy, then adding suddenly: ~
must let my boss know, though"
"The head nurse will be here soon to
I'LL out your bedside card. You give
her your employers telephone number,
and she will deliver any message you
wish," said Miss Ashby kindly. II go
Off duty now and will see you again in
the evening"
The boys intelligent eyes watched
the slim little figure of the nurse as
she passed between the rows of bedsr
and out through the large swinging
doors. -
Jimmy's head dropped back on the
| cool pillow, and sigh Of momentary,
physical peace escaped him.
"She's just like the girl my boss al
ways tells me about, and the tears are
always hanging round the corners of
his eyes when he talks about her." he
| unused.
Better today, Jimmy?" asked Miss
| Ashby next morning, as she placed the
thermometer in his mouth.
"Pm not going to whine, nurse" but
his slight movement caused a barely
perceptible twitching of the mouth.
The nurse bent over him, her cool
hands bringing wonderful peace
"Say, nurse, you've got hair that
looks like gold In the sunlight, too,
haven't your"
Jimmys eyes glistened with the rec
objections Of the mans description Of
look like violets growing In the fields"
he continued.
"Oh, Jimmy, do hope you are not
getting worse"
The boy became serious at once.
"Sure not" he said reassuringly. "Tm
lots better. l was only thinking about
girl somebody told me about once.
I'm thinking about something else, too,
Miss Ashby. If i don't get to work
by Monday l lose my job. The boss
he-he sent woodland it's Saturday
now"
That's ridiculous, Jimmy. Don't
worry about that"
"But you know, nurse, it's an awful
hard beginning TO business career to
lose your job. / wouldn't lose mine
for anything"
"You cannot possibly go to work by
that time, Jimmy. What is his adj
dress? I will go and see him my
SELF"
Jimmy's eyes frightened. 'It's the
Cumberland building, room "a. He's
alone about four o'clock In the after
noon, and that's the time l always ask
favors."
"All right, Jimmy; don't worry about
II any more. Good-by, and / will tell
you all about 1t tomorrow"
His blue eyes never left the grace
full figure as she left the ward.
"She's just sunshine and violets," he
said to himself, and his contented
brain was quiet.
The next morning as Miss Ashby
was making Jimmy's bed he thought
the violets shone brighter than ever In
her eyes.
"It's all right, dear" she said. "The
boss says you may stay until you are
absolutely well. And, Jimmy" she
was not looking at the boy now-'you
did not tell me, his name, but found
that-that I knew him very well. He
did not understand about your fear Of
losing your place, What did you mean,
dear?'
Jimmy hestated moment, then
said: 81 wanted to do something for
him, nurse. You see, he used to tell
me story every day when he came
to bring me things, and every story
had a girl in It. And one day l said
to him: That's just like Miss Ashby.'
"'What do you know about Miss Ash
byT he asked and then told him you
was my morning nurse.
at used to see her real often
once, Jimmy" he said to me after a
while.
"'Not nowr l said. II you'd seen
her once, shouldn't think you'd ever
want to stop.
az didn't he said; she won't see
me-
"And then, Miss Ashby, l lied to you.
He never told me I'd lose my job IL
wasn't there Monday. l kept think
ing about all he had done for me, and
knew he wanted to see you badly;
so lied to get you go see him again."
The blue eyes closed; gentle lips
pressed the brow. In her voice was
the sweet tones of old.
Hes going to be my boss. too, jim
=. II