The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-08-09
Madge Insists on Going to the
Wounded Officer at Once.

|
Wounded Officer at Once.
| looked at Lillian with quickened
interest when she spoke Of the wound
ed officer down the corridor.
| There was a peculiar fascination to
me surrounding the man who had so
chivalrously guarded me during the
most thrilling adventure in which
| had ever participated.
His personality, / knew from the
brief glimpses 1 had had of him, was
a wonderfully complex one of master
full virility and chivalrous tenderness.
| That he was soldier of the highest
| ideals was sure also. I had been
| filled with admiration for him before
the shot which made me unconscious.
And Lillian's story Of the manner in
| which he, almost dying, had brought
| me to the hospital, had raised my adj
| niring gratitude to the highest power.
said to myself that my feeling for
this unknown officer was like school
girls hero worship, but there was no
irritation, no self-scorn in my adrnis-
sion. He had rescued me from fate
at even the thought Of which I shud-
dered. We had faced death together.
I felt that there was no tribute of
gratitude or of admiration too great
for me to pay him.
Lillian had paused evidently ex-
pecting me to ask some question con-
corning her statement. This was I'M
like her, and I noticed also that she
seemed to lack something of her usual
assurance in speaking Of the officer.
What is the trouble with him?" !
asked wonderingly.
No one knows" she returned. He
is so exceedingly restless that it's re-
tarding his recovery and his brain
hasn't cleared completely yet He Is
positively delirious at times, and goes
over and over the ride to the hospital,
and in his more lucid intervals he's
constantly worrying about you"
"Mere Than That"
about me?" I calculated in amaze
ment.
yes" returned Lillian soberly. "He
has a crazy idea that you were hurt
worse than you were-thinks that the
nurses are keeping the truth from him.
There's but one thing that will relieve
his mind, and I suppose you can guess
what that is"
I was annoyed at the flush that
stained my cheeks-at the trembling
which I could not control. OF course,
knew Lillian must mean that the
nurses wished me to go to the wound
ed officers bedside in order to prove
to him that was really alive and well
on the road to recovery, but I didn't
know whether was more delighted or
dismayed at the prospect.
Il shall be glad to assure him that
I am in the flesh instead Of the spirit"
I returned flippantly. 4
There's more than that to 1t,
Madge", Lillian returned seriously.
He Is in such a weakened condition, |
so near the border line that your going |
away after he has once seen you may |
have serious consequences"
She paused, but 1 knew that she |
hadn't yet told me all she wished to, |
and I waited breathlessly for her next |
words.
ut is going to be rather hard on |
YOU, DEAR" she said at length, but the |
wish you to be prepared to |
stay for a day or two with the nurse I
in charge of the officer, so that every |
time he wakes and calls for you he
may not be disappointed.
81 Am Ready"
was vaguely irritated at Lillian's
attitude. She seemed to assume that
the task which had been laid out for /
me would be an unwelcome burden. In
stead. I was thrilling with excitement,
filled with gratitude that I could do
ANYTHING to repay the man who had
paid SO great a price for his chivalry
ia me. The momentary dismay which
had seized me when first grasped
I,.llian's meaning had vanished. l was +
onlv conscious of one feeling, great
desire to serve the wounded hero in
any way possible.
something whispered to me, how
ever. to conceal this eagerness from
Lillian: in fact from everybody. It
was queer, instructive feeling, one
Irtc the origin of which / was reluct- II
ant to inquire 1t made me mask my II
rea. feeling beneath an assumption of
cool indifference.
'Of course, there is nothing else to
ao." 1 said in quiet acquiescence.
when do they want me to begin as
sistlng the nurse"
They think you will be strong
enough to go in tomorrow morning"
she said hesftatingIy. "Of course, they
snow it will be a great strain or else