South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-15
DR.. Hyslop Changes Mind
By Vincent G. Perry

Only 22!" Into the wastepaper bas-
ket went the application of Miss
Alice Chalmers. Before he could
turn his attention TO another appli-
cation the telephone rang.
"Oh yes, Miss Wanstead." he be-
gan briskly NO. 1 have not chosen
your assistant yet. Who? Miss
Chalmers? Why my dear woman.
do you realize that she is only p
years old-a bit Of frivolous girl.
1 should say she wouldn't do" Very
cmphatically. NO, not even on your
recommendation We want some
one with eXperience-some one who
won't leave in a month or two TO
get married" The burnt toast taste
was still in his mouth. without fur
Their adoo he clicked the receiver in
to its place.
Miss Wanstead, superintendent Of
the hospital. turned from the tele-
phone, and faced the pretty little
nurse by her side.
Il am afraid, Miss Chalmers. you
won't receive the appointment. and
was hoping you would, tooV' she
exclaimed with evident annoyance.
Aren't men idiots!"
Some OF them, anyway. Alice
smiled. but it was hard to choke
back the lump OF disappointment
that had risen in her throat.
The epidemic of Spanish influenza
struck the city and ragged for three
weeks. Every bed was occupied in
the hospital and cots had been put
in the corridors. Alice passed
through the office on her way off
duty. The telephone rang. The
switchboard girl had been laid up
two days. and there was no one also
in sight. Alice was tired. but she
hurried to answer it.
DIR. Hadloy Hyslop, 80 River
went av. speaking" came over the
wires in husky tones. This plagued
Spanish flu has got me. I know the
hospitals full. but can't you send me
a nurse-sOme old motherly soul
who isn't much use around there q?
Tell her to wrap her face we'll with
gauze. If I had done that 1
wouldn't be laid up now"
I'VE will send nurse right over"
Alice answered in her very sweetest
tones
BE sure she is old and motherly. -
the doctor continued.
III make sure of that" Alice
The note of command in her voice
seemed 10 give the doctor a jolt.
and Alice smiled as she heard him
grunt in surprise. just before he
hung up his receiver.
Before she had left the telephone.
Alice had thought out her plan. For
the time she forgot that she had
been tired Luckily, her special
case was going home that evening.
leaving her free. She hurried TO
her room and packed her things. In
the taxi, that was driving her TO the
doctors residence. Alice had an OPP
pOrtunity 10 adjust the gauge BY
the time she had finished the opera
ton. there was nothing in view but
two big hazel eyes. and a little wisp
Of gray hair. 1t wae the same little
NaNH "a say nan AAAeAA lldu OIlE-
mated with an acid burn in her
probationer term. and had been COW
cred up by golden hair ever since.
a peep in the mirror of the car as
sured her that she could pass as "a
mOtherly old soul"
DR.. Hadloy Hyslop was sure he
was seeing things. The gray haired
motherly little nurse who had been
waiting on him for nearly two weeks
had been suddenly transformed 10 a
bright, wavey- golden haired young
lady. He was delirious. he recog-
nized the symptoms. II was still the
old motherly nurse. for ne recog-
nized her step. and her eyes, and the
soft touch OF her hand This strange
metamorphis was just a delusion. a
delusion that tainted him and made
him wish he had been in the genera
ton this bright little nurse was in.
How soothing were her hands upon
his head How he longed TO be we'll