South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-23
The Flame of Faith
By A. Maria Crawford

ing. The pneumonia had run its
nine to eleven days course, yet his
temperature still lowered around
1O4. The doctors were baffled. Then
one day. an undiscovered abscess in
Jimmys left lung broke and drained
itself through a natural channel
Everybody but Ellen thought that
the boy was dying Hayden Martin
was summoned and all night long
they sat facing each other, watch
ing Jimmy's struggle, helping him
as best they could. For the first
time, Ellen really saw the scout
master. What a high sense of ser
vice he had. what fine ideals, what
lofty purpose! He probably had
several boys of his own. Ellen re-
Elected, which accounted for his ten
derness with Jimmy. He had kept
vase Of hot house flowers every
day in the window across from
Jimmy's bed. There had been bas-
kets OF luscious fruit, everything
that a boy could want.
AS the long night wore itself
away, deep, unconsciously there be-
gan TO flicker in the nurses heart,
the fame OF faith that had been
quite extinguished years before.
Dawn began to touch the gray walls
OF the room with a rosy hue. warm
ing II. robbing it of the terror of
night shadows. The abscess drain
ed freely and Jimmy's temperature
dropped down. His breathing was
regular. 1t seemed to require no
effort. Jimmy fell into a deep, life
giving sleep.
Ellen drew a great sigh OF relief
Her eyes met the gray eyes of the
man across from her. She smiled
wanly at first, then triumphantly
He had asked her for her best ser
vice and she had given it, Jimmy
was going TO live. After all, that
was the great thing in life that mat
tered, to use her skill, to keep faith
with herself. to live up to high
ideals. She went over to a window
looking out over the sleeping city, its
harsh. ugly outlines softened in the
spreading dawn OF a new day. The
strain was telling on her. She want
ed to cry. Ideals were cold. austere
things. She craved human compan-
ionship.
Then she became aware that Hav
den Martin had crossed the room
and was standing beside her. She
left his hand touch hers with a pres
sure that was a quiet assurance of
gratitude.
L can't thank you" he said.
We've come to know each other
better in the last four weeks in this
room than we could have in years
Of chance acquaintance or even so
called friendship. Your knowledge,
your skill, your patience, they are
all fine and true and womanly. You
know how grateful l feel, don't
you ?''
1T was just my duty" she told
him. Il deserve no thanks-but you
i didn't believe a man could do
beautiful thing like you have done.
caring for this boy who evidently
has nobody to do anything for him.
You couldn't have been better TO
your own son."
Il haven't anybody either" he
said quietly. Il would grow Gym
nical if I didn't have somebody to
love so I love all of my boys. We
serve best who love best"
IL can't agree with that" she ex.
claimed quickly. then bit her lip in
confusion.
'I believe that you do-in your
heart, Ellen"
There was something in the way
he stressed her name. never used
before: there was something unmis-
taxable. something glowing in his
eyes as he bent over her that fan
ned her Pickering flame OF faith in
10 a great, consuming fire Through
suffering and establishments she
had pursued the even tenor OF her
way and at last, life was offering
Ellen Magill the most beautiful thing
in the world as recompense for sac
rihcial service.