The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1922-12-09
HER WHITE HANDS
BY MILDRED WHITE
= ss. . . . . . II,
70, 1922, Western Newspaper Union)

lounging gracefully in the most COM
Portable chair her hostess room afford
ed. She was small creature, as dain-
tily dressed and formed as a Dresden
figure.
We'll" she asked, with mild intel
est what is the verdict?"
beg pardon" the big man said. II
dare say l was staring rudely; the un-
conscious rudeness born of studying
ones patients"
a." the girl objected, "am not a pa
tient. Perhaps, however, you may have
formed some helpful character dag
nosis. Your scrutiny registered dissat-
isfaction. Where do l offend?"
Doctor Homer Amsden leaned for
ward impulsvely; he took the young
woman's hands in his own, looking
down upon them. They were beautiful
hands, the nails pink and tapering, the
slender fingers, white and soft as vel
vet. The physician frowned.
DOLLS hands," he said, GROSSLY. 'The
typical hand of the modern pleasure
loving and admired woman. Not one
callous Of worthy toil-not the hand
of our mothers, palms roughened, In
unselfish effort for home and family
broadened through loving labor"
The surgeon laughed shortly. you
must be commended for your good
nature, at least" he said. II have
learned brusqueness and brutal frank
ness In the school Of my profession"
"And have earned" added the girl,
"a reputation, thereby, of skill. Tell
mel am curious-how do you happen
to come to this humble Hampdon?
II came at the request Of valued
friend" the physician told her.
"You have met, of course. young
Doctor Philips? He is almost an idol
here, and with reason. His life Is prac-
tically given over to the villagers II
he were not held by enforced family
ties Paul would make a name for him
self in the bigger world. We were
school companions. l, free from family
obligation, went away, as they used
to say, to make my fortune. Paul
stayed because his widowed mother
was a dependent invalid. His only SIS
ter, crippled from childhood, became an
added burden. So Paul lives in this
little corner Of the world, life Of sac
rifice and devotion, cheerful, uncom-
planning in his solitary lot. Solitary In
that sense that he may never be free
to marry"
Coralie Curtis carefully adjusted her
ruffled skirts.
"Don't you suppose" she asked,
"that one day some Hampton young
woman will be glad to share his trials
for his dear sake"
Paul's friend laughed reminiscently.
"You have not" he said, apparently
met Pauls family"
"Difficult?" questioned Coralie.
"For years." the doctor replied, paul
has been begging to have the living
room of the old family home repapered
to present needs; the other rooms
mOdernized and made more cheerful.
| see today the same riotous rose
paper, the same antiquated gloom.
There Is no ruler more despotic than
your invalid"
Coralie sighed; her blue eyes be-
tween their dark-fringed lids were very
grave.
II am sorry" she said paul Phil
ips is all worthy of happiness
"You know him?"
"Only since / came here to visit this
old friend of my mothers. l am now
quite alone in the world and even con-
siderng making Hampton my future
home. Different from the great city
but friendly"
II heard of you," the surgeon said,
Immediately after my arrival
Carelessly she seated herself before
the piano; melody rippled forth,
sweet as birds song. THAT she
laughed back at him, 1.-The hands can
CO."
Paul telephoned the surgeon that
night at the inn. "I'ye been busy over
at the Hudson's," he explained, 1.-TWO
children down with diphtheria. Tried
everywhere to get nurse for MRS.
Hudson. Miss Curtis Is visiting there,
YOU know, and l tried to get her out
before quarantine, but she would not
go. Insisted on remaining to nurse
those kids. IF only"-Paul Philips
paused-"Miss Curtis escapes, she's
never had the disease. VIII you go
with me to the skin-grafting case in
the morning?"
II will," answered the surgeon,
abruptly, and hung up the receiver.
"If only Coralie does not contract
the disease" he muttered.
The boy who had been badly burned
welcomed the doctor next morning as
the comforting event Of his day,
shaking old grandmother, bent, trou-
bled above him. Il don't know she
murmured, "why Miss Coralie didn't
come last night as usual.
"She could not come" Paul said.
"She is in quarantine. We will have
to do our best"
One month later. when Tony's
wounds W ere healed, the surgeon came
again to Hampton. Coralie received
him in the same pleasant living room.
Smiling, she held out her hands; the
surgeon clasped them close.
IF / might" he said. tenderly, Il
would claim these little ministering
hands, to keep them forever my own.
"They are patient hands, she said,
softlv sand SO, however long it may