The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-27
Eoeni1g Story
Interfering Sally
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

IDENTIFY had an uninterrupted twelve
hours ahead. Only the glowing dome
of the operating building gave any
as it was from the main hospital,
time.
Still, suppose that Doctor Lane were
operating. Sallys fountain pen paused
and made a tiny blot on Mrs. Halls
chart. Since Sally had gone on night
duty Doctor Lane had twice chosen,
on the completion of late operation.
to leave the grounds by way of the
main building. Then she shrugged
her slim, uniformed shoulders impa-
tiently. What interest had nurses just
past probation in successful surgeons?
Hark! What was that? Unmistak-
ably sobs pressed into pillow. sally
laid down her pen with sigh. Semi
hysterical patients are often difficult
to handle.
But the cause of the disturbance
was none other than Molly MCLEOD,
a slim slip of a girl, whose husband
had deserted her some months before
the birth of her husky, dimpled twins
at the hospital. Half turned over on
the narrow bed she lay, her face on
her hands, I.er long, crinkIy braids
black streaks on the white blanket,
while her thin shoulder quivered.
rs it as bad as all that?" asked
Sally softly.
Molly stopped crying suddenly; then
broke forth again. Il want Barney
1 want Barney! And when 1 leave the
hospital I've got no place to CO."
An hour later Sally, back at her
desk with Molly quoted by reassur-
ances that everything would turn out
all right, saw a familiar figure coming
down the hall, and presently young
Doctor Lane stood tall and friendly
beside her.
"A quiet evening, nurse?" he asked
in the calm even voice which never
theless always caused a thrill in Sally s
susceptible little heart
Yes, doctor" answered Sally pro-
fessionally.
Come now" said the man severely,
twinkle in his eye belying the Sc
verify of his tone. az am yes-doc-
tored and no-doctored ad nauseam.
When am I going to have an oppor-
tunity TO become acquainted with you
like a regular person? How about a
little ride tomorrow afternoon before
you have to go on duty?"
Sally wanted to go-how she want
ed to goi But the rules were very
strict in regard to nurses and doctors
being seen together outside the hos
pital. Besides, Doctor Lane was prob
ably like all the young doctors the
nurses gossiped about-ready enough
to f1irt with any halfway pretty nurse
who happened along, but never seri-
Gus in their intentions. Then an idea
popped into her mind. What might
not be just right under ordinary cir
cumstances was certainly permissible
when done to help out somebody else.
Her gray eyes shonv like stars as she
lifted them to Doctor Lane.
"All right" she said a little breath
lessly, III be ready at A."
Promptly at o'clock the following
al dr-or yivapy h
trim dark roadster up to the curb,
found a pretty girl, slim and graceful
in gray suit topped with a perky hat,
awaiting him.
Where to, oh Lady in Gray?" he
asked.
IT wonder IL you mind taking me
down to East street?'
East street," echoed the doctor.
And what might fair young lady
like you be doing on East street,"
IF you'll take me I'll tell you all
about it," cried Sally impulsively.
So while the car wendell its way
thru the meaner streets of the city
Sally told him all Molly's sad sstory
I'm going to see if the landlady
where she was staying will let her
come back and pay for her room by
helping in the kitchen until something
better turns up. You see, she will be
out of the hospital in a day or two.
with no place to go. Wouldn't that be
dreadful with twins!" saIlys eyes
opened wide at the very thought. II
thought if you brought me, the land
lady might be more-more-'
Impressed" helped out the doctor
with a smile.
That's it." assented Sally, think
she had influential friends, you
know
Doctor Lane looked at her. his eyes
twinkiing: You little-little-" he
H. F;.,S- lr,f
his glance said something else.
There was no time, however. for
further conversation. The corner of
East street doomed uninvitingly before
them. Thanked on one side by num-
Der of shabby one-story buildings,
tered Molly. The open door disclosed
carpetless passa geway.
AS Sally hesitated one Of the doors
opening on the gloomy hall was jerked
back by unseen hands, and mascu-
line back Appealed. evidently in re-
treat from a pursuing flow of Ian
guage.
I'll tell nothing to you nor the likes
of you. I've dealt with one desertin'
husband and that was me own. When
he came back, down and out. did
take him in? I did not. 1 told him
where he could go and the same I says
to you" The door slammed shut, and
the youth turned.
At the same instant Sally clutched
the doctors arm. 'Barney!" she
whispered.
1t is not necessary to go into the de-
tails of the conversation that the doc
tor and Sally had with Barney Nc
Cleod. Enough to say that when they
left him they were satisfied as to his
intentions toward Molly, and he in
turn knew that the visiting hours in
the ward began at 10 o'clock.
One minute before &c the next
morning an embarrassed, tow-headed
youth was admitted to the ward and
ushered behind a screen to find a
radiant Molly, who had been told of
his coming. And the two of them for
gave and forgot the past in plans for
the future.
few days later Molly went home.
Sally, now off night duty, watched the
Il ho Afc1l,.