Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-09-02
Danes Last
Jest
By ELLA SAUNDERS

N--s4
There's patient In the third II.
in the ward wants looking after - y.
! the house surgeon to Nurse FIJI
"Acute alcoholism and exnos@.s
Picked up by the ambulance N -
ago. He'll want looking after
They looked at each other 80,
smiled for they were the best fr,a-1-
that 1t is possible for two peoDla -
who know that they can never b. ang
thing more than friends.
1t had been almost a case Of love >.
first sight when they met ar the h.
pital six months before. Ana wba.
silence became impossible Nurse n
lice had spoken the words that had
robbed Wesley of mis- hopes forever
He had learned of her unhappy ma,
riage five years before to a dr1lnksrs
and rogue who had ill-treated her sBs
finally left her. of her taking mn
nursing, her admission to the hospltsI
where she was generally loved Nv
nurses and patients alike.
She had thrown her whole life in,o
her work and was recognized az r..
most devoted and competent Of III.
staff.
"rn go and see him." Nurse EIls
answered.
Five minutes later she was staring
into the face of the man on the be5
with a terror that CONSTRUCTED bs.
heart and left her numb, cold and
speechless.
And, as II conscious of her presence
the man opened his eyes and looked
back at her. At first he looked without
recognition; then a malicious smile
began to spread over his features
$50 It's you, Ellice, is it," he mum
bled. who'd have thought Of meet
ing you here2"
"You must lie quiet and not talk
said Nurse Eliice in her quiet tones
He obeyed, grumbling And the nen &
day he was too i'll to talk at all. but
she was conscious that his eyes f0. &
lowed her every movement. And at
the thought of the past, and the awful
sense of being entrapped by it again
she moved as if in a dream, not daring
to think, lest the old terror should
drive her mad.
He was not changed. When he greE
better he delighted in t0rmenting bef
"Well fix up a little home. Ellice b
would say. you've become stun
ming woman, and I'd do a good deal
for you. I'm going to give up The
drink. I've learned my lesson I've
got a little deal on that'I soon bring
IN the shekeIs. I'm not down and out
And, if l was, you'd see me through
wouldn't you, ElIice?'
ayes. I'd see you through she an
swered mechanically.
He watched her wolflshly when IVES
ley was at the bedside He knew u
a moment, and he tainted her when
he was gone.
$50 that's how the land lies Is itF
he jeered.
Making up to the doc. Ell? We'll
there's nothing doing to that Dya
understand You're my wife, and
when | get out of here you're going
to be mine, or I'll soon put the lid %
that doc friend Of yours"
Wesley faced Ellice in the pasSa
"Ellice. who is that MANI" he asked
I'm a fierce whisper
4 syrravaI
He said nothing more After al
what could be said? 1t was fate ina
had brought him there the same ts'
that now suddenly produced q re'aps
| so that for days Dane lowered betWsa
/ life and death, only again to lmp'@
slowly. until he was sitting UP org
more and watching Wesley ana El1'
with his bitter smile.
81 don't understand it, said ""
ley, frankly puzzled. "By all the rue
he ought to have been dead Or wa
days ago. Ellice"-the cry in his 'o'
was almost of despair-'tel ne
you wish him to get well?
Eyes, do" she answered 0ra'e'
"Then-"
81 shall leave the hospital ! caD'
see you again"
"But you will not-you VIII ~.
ooh, no. no, never p she answers
with strangled sob; and Hea !"
| him.
Dane was sitting up in bea s,@
| day now. He was to he ae.H'' ~
soon. He called Nurse El.ies q ~.
Il guess you're pretty fond o
doctor chap, ehY' he asked i2''-
curiously at her
"Well?" she asked listiessl.'
1--WE been a rotten sort OF la'
to you. guess. Did you mean
you said about taking care oil -g
"IT do everything In the ven
you. she answered, 'eXcePt--eAsst
He griuned at her AZ lis NC.
way, See you tomorrow 's'
jeered. I'm kind Of SLEEPY H'' r.
talk things over, then
Nurse EIlice. you are ~aa'e.
/ patient" a
Wesley and the senior saF-7
standing by the bed inside VI.
one glance at Danes face iaa
the truth She pulled hersel. s.
with a mighty effort IF e'4
..xban-was it?' she fa.-sraA