The Washington herald., 1921-05-30

UT N
IN the end, a blood TRANSMISSION
vas necessary to keep Connie from
slipping out into the great beyond
II seemed the most natural and ex-
pected thing in the world that Nancy
Vas the one to submit herself
for the operation In fact. no one.
thought of any other possibility. and
Nancy. after an examination which
determined the purity of her blood.
went meekly to the hospital TO have
the operation performed
She had never been in a hospital
before except to visit friends, and
try as she would, she could not
bring herself to a stoical view of the
situation
DR.. Langwell had thought it best
that she remain in the institution
for a few days to recover from the
weakness which such an operation
entailed.
Packing her bag while a taxi
waited at the door to convoy her to
the hospital, she underwent a mo-
mentary panic, and the old strong
desire for Gerry's presence assailed
her more poignantly than ever be-
fore.
She felt a tremendous yearning
to lay her head on his shoulder and
be comforted- He had such a dear,
delightful way of driving away
fears and forebodings and making
serious things seem of secondary
importance She had always felt
sure she would not be afraid to die
IL Gerry were close beside her to
hold her hand.
What a little fool you are" she
addressed herself in the mirror as
she pinned on her hat with fingers
which trembled, much to her dis
gust TT probably won't hurt at
all. and 1t can't possibly be danger
Gus l hope you're not capable of
showing the white feather, Nancy"
There is no fear more poignant
than the fear of the unknown, and
Nancy, knowing nothing of what
blood TRANSMISSION operation en-
tailed, went down to the taxi with
quaking limbs and a humping
heart
Langwell was not at the hospital
when she arrived; neither was Cur
tis Stanley. A nurse told her that
Connie was doing as well as could
be expected
She was ushered up into a narrow
little room with pale cream walls
and spotless white curtains, by a
smart youngster in many gold but
tons, who deposited her bag at the
foot of the bed with a CHEEKY grin
which seemed strangely foreign to
his mission.
Nancy caught herself wondering
how many. whose bags he carried
in. went out by way of the silent
elevator to the long black motor
vehicle that waited in the dead of
night.
When the door had closed behind
her she stood looking around the
room at the high narrow hospital
cot; the bare dresser, the wash
stand with its bowl and pitcher, the
bedside table which held a reading
light and the electric bulb by which
the night nurse is summoned.
IL was cheerless enough pro,-
peet for anyone-even one who was
not facing a dangerous operation.
She sat down on the edge of the
bed and began to take of her gloves
and hat, thinking almost uncon-
sciously of the many poor main
racked creatures who had lain on
mat oed' and of the still, sheeted
forms who had possible been
stretched there. too.
Tnere was light tap on the door.
ana a nurse thrust in her pretty.
smiling face.
Here Is something you'll like TO
see she said. gayly, and opening
the door wider. came in bearing in
ner arms a great sheath of American
Beauty roses.
How lovelyr
nancy took them from her and
buried her face in their crimson e.
GRANGE.
mere was a card dangling by a
green ribbon. She turned IL over
and read:
Dear brave little girl. I wish 7
Soulo go through this for you"
II pore Maj Desmond's signature.
Copyright. 1921, by the Wheeler s,nd,.,,.