The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-08
A BELATED GIFT
BY JENNIE LITTLE.

and quiet corridors, with their sugges-
tons Of dread and pain, into cham
bers Of hope. md victory. The young
dubbed the Infant by his older col
leagues. rounded corner and bumped
suuarely into n pile Of fresh linen, car
ried by the youngest nurse
N thousand pardOns," he cried
jovInlly. Christmas has gone to my
head. as usual. The top o the morn
ing after to you, Miss Rutledge. Gee
love the whole world today, even the
cranky Old dOwager In room 3.
because why? The only girl said
Yes last night. and in three months
more, no lonesome bachelor quarters.
mine. Gee! Isn't It grand and
glorious feeling? Did you get both
your STOCKINGS rull. us You OBSERVER
lie stopped suddenly. for the little
nurse was wInking with all her might
to keep back the tears.
"All we nurses" she said sOberly.
agreed to give all we could spare to
the Red Cross and Salvation Army in
stead OF buying presents for each 9th.
err 80 my stockings hung all limp and
lank. for have Da other friends in the
city. ] am truly glad for you. Doctor
o'Connor," and she hurried away.
Later. detailed for special duty In
room 5. Nurse Rutiedge walked softly
to the bedside and laid a plying hand
above the bandaged eyes. for she
couldn't seem to harden her heart
against suffering, as they told her she
should to make a success. Medicine
time" she announced Chccrily: then
caught her breath as II Icy water had
struck her. and went oil trembly, like
a little poplar leaf In a storm.
Kit" cried the patient. half i'm.
ploringly, half incredulously. Little
Kit! Answer! Is 1t you?" and with
his free hand tried to tear the band
age or
"Mr. Rand, don't risk your sight ~
she begged In horror. "Oh, why did I
ever come here? How did you get
hurt like this?"
The one good hand had found hers
now and held II helpless prisoner
Kit, why did you run away? Every
day since have been searching. but
couldn't uncover the ghost OF a trail
This morning little kid was out try.
Ing his Christmas sled and shot right
In front OF loaded truck He wasn't
hurt hut | got broken arm and leg
and something happened to my eyes.
"The only thing minded was to be
delayed In finding you, and after all I,
led me straight where you were. Won
derful Now tell me something or
shall raise a riot and bring down ever
lasting disgrace upon the rules OF this
hospital. What was the troubleT
She gulpcd hard for the words tried
to stick In her throat unspolicn.
"Your Cousin Nora told me, that day
you went to Chicago, that II was out
rageOus for my father to saddle you
with the care of me, at my age unt
everybody knew II was just scheme
to get you for my husband instead Of
guardian. And she said that youl
mother, though she was so good TO me
had long ngo set her heart on hnvin,
Nora as her daughter-ln-law and
would make her very unhappy II wal
the cause Of trouble between you. 81
just because loved your mother
and yOu-sO much, and because wal
ashamed ! ran away"
ooh, woman. woman" grOancd tn
man. 81 always knew she had hit
sharp claws under that soft fur but
didn't think she would stoop to Gait!
lies. And you believed them Hav,
you been happy away from us, fool
ish little grip
mot single minute" she con
fessed, land sometimes have almos
given up and asked you to take IN
back agnln. I've washed floors an,
helped at terrible operations and tn
only thing that carried me through
was the thought OF doing 1t for you
, good"
Exit" said the man. sin my Goa
pocket is ring which / have Carrlet
ever SINCE came from Chicago, think
ing TO put II on your finger that night
VIII you find 1t for me- please. and lie
me put 1t there now? And as soon n
| am mended, will you. marry me. an
take me horne? Mother Is longing 70
; You. The first week you came there
Q she told me that nothing could max
her happier than TO have you for
4 daughter"
$ But Nora" said Kit, perplexedl!
1 The patient laughed.
:. ut was only case Of the dog !
/. the manager, dear. Besides, she maj
{ rIed rich old Ezra I.akeman mont
G aGo. Are you bringing me the ring
n Must get up a temperature before
i am obeyed2 And listen. A norma
y man, being engaged, Is entitled to
kiss, hut a man who Ia down, wit
only one leg, one arm and no eye
gets two without being charged wit
profitecring"
When Doctor OCOnnOr entered N
room, the nurse was lndustrOusl
studying n chart, hut IN her eyes wei