Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-10-08
JIMMY's BOSS
BY GLADYS PLUMMER.

BY GLADYS PLUMMER.
Jimmy Murphy's freckled forehead
assumed perplexed lines as he opened
his blue eyes and beheld long room
bordered by numerous small white
beds, similar to the one he occupied,
hut was Immediately smoothed by re-
membrance as sharp pain shot
through his left leg.
"a hospital" came from the thin. ex-
pressive lips.
Eyes, dear. q 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 viii send word to your
home"
Hell have q job TO find It, guess"
said the boy. then adding suddenly: Il
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 20
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 beds
and ont through the large, swinging
doors.
Jimmy's head dropped back on the
cool pillow, and sigh az momentary,
physical peace escaped him.
-She's Just like the girl my boss nj
ways tells me about. and the tears are
always hanging round the corners Of
his eyes when he talks about her" he
unused.
S Better today Jimmyr asked Miss
Ashby next morning, a. she placed the
Thermometer In biz mouth.
Z .rm not going b whine. nurse" but
,his slight movement caused . barely
;perceptfble 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
|. Jimmy's eyes glistened with the rec
objections Of the mans description Of
the girl in his stories. And eyes that
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. I'm
lots better. / was only thinking about
a girl somebody told me about once.
I'm thinking about something else. too,
Miss Ashby. II don't get to work
by Monday / lose my Job. The boss
he he sent word-and it's Saturday
now"
That's ridiculous, Jimmy. Don't
worry about that"
"But you know, nurse. It's an awful
hard beginning to. a business career to
lose your job. wouldn't lose mine
for anything"
'You cannot possibly 60 to work BY
that time, Jimmy. What u his ad-
dressI I win 60 and rec him my
self"
J.npt's eyes frightened. ITS the
Cumberland building, room a. Hes
alone about four o'clock in the after
noon, and that's the time I always ash
favors. :
IAN right, Jimmy don't worry about
It any more. Good-by. and I win tell
you al about It Tomorrow
HIS blue eyes never left the grace
full figure % she left the ward.
.she's Just sunshine and violets," he
said to himself, and his contented
brain Was quiet
The next morning a. Miss Ashby
wassmaking 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 l knew him very well. He
did not understand about your fear Of
losing your place. What did you mean.
dear?''
Jimmy hesitated moment, then
said: II wanted to do something for
him. nurse. You see, he used to tell
me a story every day when he came
to bring me things, and every story
had girl in 1t. And one day said
to him: That's just like Miss Ashby.'
..What do you know about Miss Ash
by?' he asked and then told him you
was my morning nurse.
az used to see her real often
once, jimmy" he said to me after q
while.
.sNot nowr said. II you'd seen
her once. shouldn't think you'd ever
want to stop
Ut didn't he said; she won't see
me-
"And then, Miss Ashby, lied to you.
He never told me I'd lose my Job II !
wasn't there Monday. I kept think
ing about all he had done for me, and
I knew he wanted to see you badly {;
30 1 lied to get you 60 see him again"
The blue eyes closed; gentle lips
pressed the brow. In her voice was
the sweet tones Of old.