South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-31
1hE TRUTH MADGE cor From
MISS JONES.

MISS JONES.
/ hardly knew my own voice, 50
hoarse and raucous was it. when 7
at last pulled myself together and
spoke again TO he woman at the hos
pital telephone.
"Hellol hellol" 1 called insist
emily when she did not answer my
first call. wondering If she had cut
me of after telling me the terrible
news OF Marion's death.
1t was news that 1 would not be-
| lieve, nor retail TO the anxious
heart of Robert Savarin waiting for
me in the car outside the station I'M
| til l had II confirmed from the lips
Of MariOn's nurse, DR.. Petit or Lii
Ian herself. But my heart chilled
with the certainty that if Marion
were really gone. her mother would
| not be far behind her.
What was it the woman had
said? 1 tried TO think calmly even
while 1 frantically snapped the re-
ceiver up and down in the endeavor
to get her again upon the phone.
II Didn't"
Died an hour ago after suffer-
ing commissions all night
II this were true, where was DR..
/ Petit? He had promised TO send
/ for me If Lillian needed me. Could
it be possible that the superinten-
dents inefficient substitute had not
! called the physician? I put that
| theory aside, knowing that Lillian
would have raised heaven and earth
and the neither regions TO get help
1 for the idolized child, and would
have compelled action If none were
forthcoming. But suppose Lillian
herself had the voice Of the wo-
man at the other end of the phone
at last answered my frantic repeti-
ton OF the word Hello"
What is it? What do you
want?" I recognized panic in the
voice, realizing that in an emergep-
cy Of this sort confronting the wo-
mantle breaking of the unex-
pected news Of a death-she did not
know what TO do. With a mighty
effort I controlled by own voice to
measured calmness. spoke slowly
and distinctly:
Please call Miss Jones to the
telephone"
Miss Jones!!" The voice held q
helpless, sort Of asked.
something's mpossible-tone but she
is on a case in a private room, and
cannot be called unless the message
is most urgent"
1T is most urgent 1 emphasized
You have just told me that Mis-,
Jones patient is dead"
why! The very ideal" The
voice was pettish in its resentful as.
constituent. Il didn't say anything
Of the kind"
My pulses leaped hopefully. yet
did not dare let myself be certain.
Then you have made a terrible
mistake" l said icily. land have
caused me untold agony of mind.
shall take this up with the board OIL
governors Immediately II you do no
call Miss Jones at once"
What Miss Jones Said.
A helpless. hopeless sort of 81
lence for fully half a minute-my
brain alternately registering hop,
and despalr-then a sullen frighten
ed: Hold the wire"
Another minutes wait. then crisp
fresh and efficient came the voice Of
, Marion's nurse.
I This is Miss Jones. What is II
. please"
b oh Miss JONES'" I was almos
3 hysterical IN my doubt by this time
. This is Mrs. Graham. Mrs. Under
woods friend. They have just told
l me Marion is dead-is il true?"
over the wire came the sound o
a quick shocked intake Of the breath
Afterward realized that It was tn,
, only triumph the wornan's nerve
had over the nurses professional
calm Then her voice. quickly reas
surfing:
mo" The emphasis was capt.
, allied. "She is very much alive, anC
: ! passed a splendid night. And he
! mother is also feeling much better.
Thank Godv It was the rea