Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-27
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE CASE At THE
NOTCH
BY Helen Munbo

ETHEL DANIELS had carried off
~ triumphantly the honors In her
training class and, as a graduate nurse,
had worked her way into the best cases
and the wealthiest homes in the city of
her choice. Now the crowning honor
had come, for Mrs. Stanley Norton,
highest in the social scale of all the cul-
turc6 and aristocratic persons Of her
acquaintance, had sent a peremptory
telegram, summoning her to the Norton
summer home, 300 miles away, to care
for her daughter.
A double interest attended the trip
for Miss Daniels, as the little town
where the Norton estate was located
was also the place where her own
schooldays had been spent.
At the dingy station no conveyance
was awaiting her from the Norton
home. After a few moments of waiting
an automobile appeared, but it was not
the smoothly gliding car of her ex-
pectations. Instead it came rafting
along anl stopped abruptly with a
crashing of brakes by the platform
where Miss Daniels stood.
The driver of the car spoke hastily.
Are you the nurse?" he said. Get
right in, please. There is not a moment
to be lost; and he turned swiftly,
carrying her at such q brcakneck speed
that words were impossible for time.
1t was not until the car was more slow
ly dragging its way up the hillside that
her companion addressed her.
II owe you an apology, I'm afraid,
he began, turning toward her a fine
face, which though scarcely older than
her own appeared aged with care and
anxiety. ''I am Doctor Sibley and l
wouldn't have carried you off so un-
tremendously if it hadn't been a case
of life or death"
"Not Dan Sibley, who used to go to
school with me?" she returned, raising
her voice to be heard above the noisy
engine.
"The same" he replied, with smile
that frightened the weary eyes. "And
know you. You, are Ethel Daniels. If
I hadn't felt that old acquaintance
would count for something, l might not
have dared to do what l am doing.
"What is that Oh where are you
going?" she demanded, as they entered
crossroad that seemed far from
civilization. "Thc Norton estate, l
know. is in the west part of the town.
We are going up toward the Notch
Exactly" His face was grave but
determined. as he turned toward her
again. eve are not going to the Nor
ton estate. Miss Norton, who is
patient of mine, has, frankly, no more
need of a nurse than have. Her case
is one of the nerves, and lack of inter-
est in life. Meanwhile. up where we
are going, a mother of four small chill
dren hovers between life and death with
nneumonia. The nursing during the
next forty eight hours is what will save
her. if anything. l have stayed with
her as long as I could leave my other
patients. No other nurse is to be found
T tricd in vain, to persuade the Nor
TONS to give you up. So now l am
taking matters into my own hands. 1t
is IN to you and mo, Ethel Daniels 10
save this mother for her children.
GLOW dare you" Ethels face was
tr, of anger and dismay. What will
the Nortons think. L VIII lose inc
prestage ! have worked for so hard'
and what of me? The practice
have from these summer people means
nv very food and clothing. But IN a
case like this life comes first. Ethcl
Daniels, you will nurse this woman the
next two days if have to lock You in
with her." and his eyes glared deter
ninedly into hers.
They had reached the summit by this
time and stopped at low farmhouse
He led her through the open door
where they were met by thin, dis
outraged looking man with baby or
his arm, while two small children clung
70 him. The doctor led the way there
and Miss Daniels followed as though
some power drew her irresistibly.
The doctor spoke words of encourage
ment to the patient and instruction tt
Ethel. In spite of herself, the nurse
Qualities were aroused for the fight be
fore them, and she forgot all else. Swift
ly she stepped about, carrying out tn
doctors orders. After his departure
with Just a cold nod from her, sh
worked skillfully. tirelessly all that loni
afternoon and into-the night.
She realized fully, as she thought i
over. what she had done. A whole life
time of effort had been overthrown b.
this one act. And yet, in the wonder o
the fight for life, she could not be sorry
And the memory of DR.. Sibley's eyes
determined, firm, yet, somehow, full O
kindliness, thrilled her as she had neve
been thrilled before.
The long, lonely vigil lasted for hours
1t was late the next day before DIR. Sib
lev came again. Then his face glove
after he examined the sick woman.
1--WE will win the fight. / knew 20
could do it." he whispered, joyfully.
And they did win the fight. A wee
later. when the doctor made his dali
call, his verdict was: "Out of danger,
and happy family gathered around tn
smiling mother, while the doctor dreN