The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-08-12
Why Madse Felt Strangely Embar
raised Under the QuizzicaI Eyes of
the Wounded Officers Nurse.

the Wounded Officers Nurse.
The was no mistaking the quizzi-
cal light in the nurses eyes this
time. I had fancied it when the
wounded officer refused childishiy to
take his medicine or to go to sleep I'M
less promised to keep on holding his
hand. But I was certain-and resent
ful-of its presence when at her sug-
gestion that 1 was needed no longer I
protested that I would keep my vigil
until our patient awakened.
She was careful, however, to let no
hint Of her amusement appear in, her
voice or manner.
"Of course, you must decide that"
she said quietly. IF you become
fatigued, just call me-"
She moved noiseIessly TO a table at
the other side of the room and busted
herself with the chart and notebook
upon it. 1t was the sheerest absurdfty
OF course, but I could not help inagin-
ing that there was not only amuse-
ment but a tinge of disapproval in her
attitude.
soon forgot her, however, in my alb
Isorption in the vigil had set myself.
For found that had underestimate
ed my strength. The kneeling posture
which I was compelled to keep was a
most fatiguing one, and the hand that
clasped the fingers of the wounded
man soon began to feel numb.
| But my pride wouldn't let me admit
my weakness. Not for worlds, I told
myself. would / ask aid Of the nurse
after declaring so firmly that would
! remain at my self-imposed task
Minute after minute passed, each
successive one seeming longer, more
| physically uncomfortable than the last.
How long I knelt there do not know,
nor can I explain how the wounded
man came to awaken so suddenly.
Perhaps my WEAKNESS communicated
itself to his subconsciousness. At any
rate, he opened his eyes so unexpect-
eddy to me that my own eyes, which
were fixed upon his sleeping face,
must have reflected my half-fright-
ened dismay.
What is the natter" he demand
ed. his voice still weak, but having
something of its old ring of authority.
Nothing" I returned mendaciously.
"Nurse!"
The word was a command, but the
nurse had already anticipated it. At
his first word to me she had arisen,
and as he spoke her title she bent over
him.
"Yes?"
This lady is i'll, can't you see it?''
"Oh, no." she returned soothingly. |
"She is simply very tired because she
has remained in the same position so
long. She will be all right in mo-
ment or two"
AS she spoke she slipped strong
arm around my waist and fairly hnteo
me to my feet, my hand relaxing ITS
stiff clasp of the officers as she did
so. Then she put me in the easy chair
drawn close to the bedside and turned |
back to- her patient.
Madce Is Startled
DO you mean to tell me, ne salo
and his voice quavered weakly with
excitement, that you allowed her to
fatigue herself in this manner?
rose from my seat and bent over
him. rnotioning the nurse to one side.
please" 1 said. smiling to assure
him that I was all right. there IS no
one to blame but myself. wanted
Won to have a good sleep, and reared
I,o,, might awaken if 1 went away, SO
7 ,.af,,sed the nurses effort to have me
leave you" IT.,
knew that he had forgotten his
wish for me to hold last
RI his hand while he slept, kne" aiso
+t.+ in his weakened state ne WouIo
.oboh1v reproach himself bitterly TOT
- tho reouest if he learned that
he had done SO. 1a.nad
80, &c e1,es at nv words. Amusement
gratitude. something else ln'Aiie
inoefinable, flashed out at ms go,
Ard you did this for ma ne - he
hail to himself. you WI" e"aN'
IL bee YOURSELF"
- ~prornise Me-
F1.s 60 ~, his words, rs -
,r-,rit,iflc embarrassed me
3.ar,t dare refer to what ne i,0 n
: mo II, fear that any >'l1 s1.;to
-. .t~cn,.ns adventure "oulo
-, -. dangerously. This time We
inn-ead of resentful when the
she 10 going
This minute" she said orlsh.1y IN I;
's If you'll promise to OBEY oi ;,
IN she comes back to see YOU Ita- /
., ne he e'I had heard her. His eyes held
mine. and rest" he !
said tensely. s s;st,rbaa by {
VERY we'll" returned. o'seurpeu - |
10 knowledge that the nurse was
watching US both on
And YOU will come back again. ,
.ot Course" returned, with only :
ma feeling within me-that of longing !
q he out of range of the nurses clear Z
,Iue eyes. &