Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-02-18
A BELATED GIFT
BY JENNIE LITTLE.

determined to transform its grim walls
and quiet corridors. with their suIGcs-
tons of dread and pain. int" cham
beers Of hope, and victory. The ynilnS.
"St doctor OF the staff. teaSingly
dubbed the Infant by his older col.
leagues. rounded corner and bumped
SGuarrly into n pile Of fresh linen, car.
. ried by Ill" Youngest nurse.
"A thousand rurl0ns." he cried
iovially. ''Chr!StmuS has gone TO my
head. rs usual. The top q the morn
Ing after 10 YOU, Miss Rutledgc. Gee!
low" the whole world today, even the
cranky old dOwager in room g.
"BccauSe why? The only girl said
! Yes last night, and in three months
more no lonesome bachelor quarters.
, hut little Home. Sweet Home for
! mine. Gee. Isn't II grand and
glorious feclingI Did you get both
/ Your stockings full, rs YOU OBSERVER"
He stopped suddenly. for the little
nurse was winkinE with all her might
to keep back the tears.
al! We nurses" she Snil sobcrly,
! agreed to give all we could spare to
/ the Red Cross and Salvation Army in
stead of buying presents for each 9th
er. so my stockings hung all limp and
lanE, for have no other friends in the
city. ! am truly glad for you. Doctor
O'Connor," and she hurried away.
Later. detailed for special duty in
! room D. Nurse Rutledgc walked softly
! I" the bedside and laid a pitying hand
above the bandngcd eyes. for she
couldn't seem I" harden her heart
against suffering, rs they told her she
should I" mike n success. "Metlicine
time. she announced cheerily; then
caught her breath as If Icy water had
struck her. and went all trcmbly. like
! little poplar leaf in n storm.
| Kit. cried the patient. half I'M
| rl"rin=ly. half incredulously. Little
| Kit. Answer! Is IL you?" and with
his free hand tried to tear the band
age on.
MIR. Rand. don't risk YOUR sight :"
! she begged In horror "Oh. why did 7
ever come here? How did You get
hurt like this?"
The one good hand had found hers
now and held 1t helpless prisoner
Kit, why did you run away? Every
day since ! have been searching. bur
couldn't uncover the ghost of n trail.
! This morning Il little kid was out try-
ing MS Christmas sled and shot right
IN front OF a loaded truck. He wasn't
hurt hut I got n broken arm and leg.
and something happened to my eyes
1.-THE only thing minded was to he
Delayed In fnding YOU. and after all II
led me straight where you wee. Won.
! dcrful! Now tell me something or I
snail raise riot and bring down ever
tasting disgrace upon the rules Of this
| hospital. What was the tr"uhic:"
She Eull'cd hard. for tie words tried
I" stick i'll her threat uiiSpnkcn.
"f"ur Cousin Nora told ne. that day
YOU went To Chicago. that il WAS out
| ra"""uN for my father ia saddle Won
/ with H." care OF nc. M my age and
N"TIi"hy knew II was inst q scheme
20 70! You for my husband instead of
/ guardian. And She said that Your
! mother. though she WAS so good 10 me
h"u long a"" set her heart on hay,n"
Nora us her dau%h;rr-in-law and !
would max" hr.' very unhappy if ! was
eth" cause Of trouhlr between YOU. So
">, "''''>' i"N"d your m"ih"r-
ana E"'-S" much. ana because ] was
ashamed. run away"
oh. woman. woman" croancd the
man. II always knew she had hid
shhrp claws under that soft fur. Int I
didht THINK she would Stoop to catty
lies. Ana H"h believed them! Have
YOU pe'h hhlpy away from us. fool
'Sh niue girl!
NOT single minute. she CON
1'Ss'"' ana sometimes l have almost
gwen UP ana asked you t" take me
Duck aS"'h. We washed floors and