The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-06-07
MISS LESLIE
BY MILDRED WHITE.


shabby cottage, begging shelter.
The old woman who admitted him
ungracfOusly granted his request.
Your leg is broken" she announced
COldly, as she prepared q couch for
his use. Where did ye do it an how
could We get hereT
Tom Arnold explained about his fall
down a slippery trail, but the latter
part of her question remained unan>
swered.
Doctors coming" she said laconi-
cally.
When the doctor had come and the
broken leg was resting more COM
fOrtably, the kindly old mountain doc
tor looked down into his patients face.
THAT was a queer spot for you to
be travelling about in alone" he said.
Had to look the place over" Tom
explained. I'm a civil engineer. We
are going to start some pretty big
work here after the thaws come. I'm
trying TO make myself proficient, hop
ing for promotion
Il have heard of the contract" the
doctor said, "and have met the chief
engineer. He is staying down at q
hotel in the village" Tom nodded.
That's why 1 was scouting round,
going back to him with information.
"But now" he frowned suddenly.
"How long will be laid up in this
hole? he asked.
The doctors eyes met those of the
young man frankly. you should have
had medical attention earlier" he said.
However, with good nursing"
Nursing" !" Tom exclaimed, "who can
take care Of me here? A glass of
water seems too great a favor to ask.
Couldn't you get me down to the
hotel?"
The doctor shook his head. Dan
gerous work." he replied. 1--WE will
have to get a nurse from the city," he
went on. II will telephone tonight
and see what can do. She could ar
rive sometime tomorrow. I will meet
her at the station and drive her my
self"
Herewith, Tom Arnold was obliged
to be content.
After the troubled painful night, the
long and weariSome morning, his eyes
spied gratefully at last the doctors
approaching cutter. he could discern
a girlish figure on the seat at the doc
tors side, and with a sigh Of relief he
turned his head, to watch the cottage
door as it opened.
The doctor was smiling triumphant
~, and Tom stared and drew a long
breath and stared again.
The girl who followed quickly into
the room was very pretty.
st caught your nurse" the doctor
exclaimed, "just as she was stepping
from the train"
"I am glad you have come" Tom
said.
I'm glad, too," the girl replied.
Doctor has been telling me about you,
and 1 want to do for you all that l
can"
Before the doctor had started upon
his return trip, Miss Leslie had charm
ed the surly old woman into cheerful
ness and had borrowed from her an
enveloping apron.
II came so quickly" she explained,
''that / could not bring q proper cos
tune"
But as a nurse, she proved to be all
and more than could be reasonably
desired.
"f it were not for fear Of losing
this big job" he confided one morning.
ard be joyfully resigned to my fate.
But I've worked so for this thing,
planned for it-dreAmed Of just this
one chance through years Of study.
And now to have II fall to some other
fellow because, well because my foot
happened to slip on an icy trail"
The nurse nodded. Such little hap
penings come" she replied, "all
through life But we must not let
them-for one moment weaken our
courage Who knowsT' she smiled,
"this very incident may be but q short
cut to your goal"
"I can't see it," said Tom, but his
smile answered hers.
And then one evening, looking into
the sweet face opposite his own, he
said, II love you. Oh! how l love
you! I-can, never get along with
out you, dear Even If must fail
in this commission, there will be 9TH
ers. Would you be willing to be a
poor mans wife helping him on in his
struggle toward the goal?"
quite willing" the little nurse an
swered simply.
Then after a blissful silence, Tom
raised his radiant face. why" he
said, 81 don't know your name. Miss
Leslie won't do any more"
Leslie then" suggested the girl.
Seriously, she faced him. TITS my real
name, Tom" she said. "Pm Leslie
Bainbridge, daughter Of your chief, the
one who can give your promotion, II
he wishes, and, he's going to do It
"I was on my way to visit him at the
hotel that day when your old doctor
70 -+0 Sr%n {E