Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-09-22
THE LITTLE GIRL
BY HELEN WAITE MUNRO

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o. 1879 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Nurse Crane was really responsible
for II all. When she saw wealthy
Charles Ladds room full to overflow
ing with beautiful flowers, she sug-
gested that he send Il few to 1.-THE lit
Tie girl across the hail." who had none.
Big-hearted Charles Ladd gladly act
ed upon the suggestion, without know
my that the little girl" was little
only in Nurse Cranes eyes--had, in
fact, reached the mature age of nine
teen.
"Who was lovely enough to send
! me these?" Lois Wilson querIed as she
sfiatched' tsssAi rosesssesrgesfy and cue
died them against her cheek.
"Oh, II little boy across the hall,
who had more than he wanted" Nurse
Crane carelessly said, and immediate
ly went away and forgot all about 1t.
Lois sent note of thanks the very
next day. She printed 1t, to make sure
the little boy" could read it-rather
crooked printing at that-appendl-
cltls. SO, of course, he printed his re-
ply, and the childlike correspondence
ilourlshed until his broken leg had
mended enough to allow him to go to
the piazza, the very same day that
she took her first trip there.
1t was Nurse Crane, as 1t happened,
who introduced the two, and her sur
prise at the misunderstanding was
equal to theirs at finding each other
grown up.
''Shall l play marbles with you, or
will you play dolls with met" Lois
asked after the first astOnished ques-
lions and answers were over.
EITHER, as long as we play together
nicely and don't quarrel" he respond
ed deciding that the hospital was not
quite the dreary place he had, up to
now, considered 1t.
The morning passed quickly, with
exchanged condolences and friendly
conversation. SO did the next, and sew
eral more following, until the two
felt like very old acqualntances. Then
came day when heavy, pouring rain
made the piazza impossible. Lois in
her room gave up to the queer bodily
aches and pains that had been grow
ing more and more troublesome
through the night, and to the queerer
heart-ache which had been developing
for several days.
DR. Gordon looked grave when he
found her so.
Meanwhile, Charles was having
troubles Of his own. For several days
he had been annoyed by very un.
comfortable little conscience. Now he
began to realize clearly the fact that
he, an honorable, upright young man,
engaged with all due Formally TO
Miss Sylvia Preston and receiving
daily dainty notes from her In her
distant home, was falling deeply In
love with Miss Wilson.
When at last that long dreary day
had worn to close and Charles was
trying to forget his perplexltles and
settle down for the night, his atten-
ton was attracted to subdued com
motion across the hall. At last low
moan reached him. He rang his bell
furlously and nurse responded. His
anxious Inquiries drew forth little in
formation, however
He lay back on his pillow, great
beads of perspiration standing on his
forehead. "LOis-Lols," he whispered,
and knew that IN losing her he had
lost his mate-the one woman de-
signed for him
II was thus that Nurse Crane found
him when she made her morning
rounds. She looked keenly at his
white, set face, smiled wise little
smile and said softly:
81 wouldn't worry. She Is better,
you know"
"She! DO you mean Lols?" Charles
sat straight up, regardless Of the in
jured leg.
"Why, yes" Nurse Crane looked
puzzled. "I,idnt you know she was
taken worse yesterday and they had
to operate in the night? She has been
very low. but her condition Is quite
satisfactory now" she went on, MOTTO
ing the angulshed bewlderment In his
eyes and IL all goes well she will
soon be back In her old room"
did you care so muchr she said.
More than all the world" he whis-
pered, and closed his eyes as she tip
lOrd from the room.
The days went by with Lois gaining
slowly.
On the day he was first to visit Lois
he waited impatiently for the appoint
ed time, firm in this determination.
Mall time broke the tediOusness Of his
waiting There was the usual violet
scented enyelOpe--the note was short
this time-hls face altered strangely
as he read. Sylvia, his old pal had
found the same wonderful experience
that had come to him. She felt she
must tell him and break the engage
ment before his homecoming. Her
heart ached for him, but frankness
was the only way.
The clock struck three without
waiting for the nurse. he made his way
with surprising quickness across the
narrow hall and through the half-Open
door Lois was lying, frail and sweet,
looking deep into the heart of one of
his roses as though to read some word
less message there
His eyes gave the message the rose
had failed to convey, and hers an
swered the light In his. His hands
closped hers tightly and
A gasp from the doorway. Nurse
Crane stood there, on her face mix |
ture Of bewilderment and surprised |
satisfaction.
81 suppose / am responsible for
this" she said, after a moment. Then |
bending closer the elderly face Oh |
which no romance had ever left lts I'm
print, she added softly:
BLESS you, my children! How fast
you hive both grown upw