Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-06-02
The Volunteer
Nurse
c. 1874. western Newspaper Union. }
By KATE EDMoNDs


There was great excitement in the
social circles of Mayyille when the
successor to the practice of old DIR.
cyrus Dali arrived. For forty years
the latter had been the chosen physi-
clan of the town. When he had sold
his practice to DR.. Brian Eversley,
young, handsome and wealthy mem
Der of the profession, all Mayville was
agog, and speculation and gossip held
the various social coteries in kind of
pleasant thrall
The young doctor had, purchased
The Oaks, beautiful estate near the
edge of the village. A maiden sister
was to be his housekeeper. When
new automobile and some wonderful
house furnishings arrived, Miss Cyrille
Rushton, aged thirty, but passing for
twenty-five, as the real leader of the
real social set of Mayville, was said
to brighten up at chance to once
more angle for husband.
The young doctor arrived, and he
was not disappointment. He was
something more than handsome-ear-
nest, affable and intellectual. He was
pleased at the graciouc attentions of
Miss Rushton, and it seemed to inter-
est him to listen to the ceaseless chat
ter of Miss Dorman.
The Ladies Aid society held weekly
meetings in an old store, which had
been neatly fitted up for them. The
society clothed the ragged, fed the
poor and had done some free nurs-
ing-Miss Dorman very little, how.
ever. She acted as the ornament of
the group. AS to the naughty Miss
Rushton, all she pretended to do was
to donate the raw material for the
really Industrious ones of the club to
sew into garments.
One of these latter was Nettie Lane,
who sat in a corner of the room now,
engrossed in the task of making four
tiny night robes. The rest of the
group were chattering and gossiping.
Whenever Doctor Eversley's name was
mentioned, Nettie's eyes frightened
with interest. 1t was mentioned very
frequently.
'The way Cyrille Rushton has set
her cap for the doctor is simply bra
zen," observed Sarah Bates, who had
graduated into old maidenhood several
years ago.
mot half as bold as Breda's sly
puss way broke in cynical wasp
armed Selma Marion. "She pretended
to have neuralgia, just to get the doc
tors attention.
Plain, quiet Nettie smiled to her.
self She was happy in knowing that
the doctor had made quite friend
and confidant of her. Miss Eversley
had taken decided fancy to her. Net
tie was, in fact, very close to the doc
tor; something in their natures har-
monized.
If anybody had told Nettie that
these ripening friendships indicated
chance to capture the handsome young
physician, she would have been over
whelmed with confusion. Such an idea
had never entered her sensible little
head.
4NNttiN iilliShCu WOIh SOIuCWUdt
late and went home. Miss Rushton
came in, then the lady president, and
then messenger arrived. He brought
a note from Doctor Eversley. 1t was
addressed to the society. A conta-
gious sickness had broken out in a
poor family without means or friends.
Gould the society appoint some one
to give half day for a week to day
nursing for two little children in the
family?
The group gradually broke up and
the Doctors note received no reply.
That afternoon Doctor Eversley's
automobile stopped in front of the
poor home where his services were so
.sorely needed. He was trif1e disap-
pointed at receiving no recognition of
his message, and had decided to enlist
the sympathies of his sister His
knock brought neat figure wearing
nurse cap and apron to the door.
Miss Lane!" he exclaimed In won
derment.
"Yes, 1t is l." Nettie smiled back.
"You are an angel" said Doctor
Eversley with heightened color as he
entered the sick room.
Never had poor family such royal
donations Is those received by the
one now under the care of Doctor
Eversley as physician and Nettie Lane
as nurse.
That dread word contagious" made
greetings on the street quite Few and
far between for the doctor.
When the truth got out that the
contagious feature of the case did not
extend beyond light measles. Miss
Rushton bit her lip and Miss Dorman
denounced Nettie as schemer.
'This is one of the great pleasures
of physicians life" said Doctor
Eversley, as he and Nettie walked
away from the home where they had
taken the part of true ministering
angels.
There came day when Miss Rush