The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-03-01

I delirium he thought you were Nellie
That's why he wants you on In the
case"
So Bill began to recover rapidly.
The only time his delirium seemed to
return was when the suggestion was
made that any one but the little red
haired nurse should attend him. He
could sleep all night after the first
night. and so It was agreed, after
much red tape. that the younger nurse
should remain on the case every day.
"You look just like Nellie Dean"
said Bill, as he watched the red.haired
nurse preparing the bedside stand be.
fore the doctors visit. "They called
you Sister Helen / have about made
up my mind that you are Nellie Dean
after all."
would you be any happier II you
knew I was Nellie DeanT
"Would IT, exclaimed the patient.
sitting upright and selling her hand
in spite Of instructions to remain
quiet. "Why. 1 have been dreaming Of
little Nellie Dean since was 4 boy.
knew I'd find her."
The young nurse withdrew her hand
gently and gently forced her patient
hack on his pillow. "You may call me
Nellie Dean, then"
Il knew 1t from the first," Bill as.
sured her. BE prepared. I've had
my mind made up to marry you when
found you. Nellie, ever since that
day you slapped my face. back in the
old house."
The next day was Christmas and
the only detail that married Bill's per.
feet Christmas happiness was the fact
that there were tears Of disappoint-
ment In Nellie's soft brown eyes when
she came to his room in the morning.
few days later Bill. being entirely
restored to his normal condition, was
carried home by his doting mother,
| while Nellie Dean seemed to fit out
Of his existence as quietly as she
had slipped In. She was off duty when
his mother came to get him. and no
one seemed to be able to find her.
A week or so later Bill called at
the nurses home In search of Nellie
Dean, but her name seemed to be un-
known. Then he inquired for Sister
Helen. "Was she probationer?"
asked the nurse at the desk. "She
wore no cap" said Bill. "Her uniform
was blue. and she wore a white band
on her sleeve"
"Then she was one Of the volun-
teers, not real nurse at all. Is It
very important that you should find
herr"
About as important as anything in
the world could be-" smiled Bill.
"She was a little red-halred girl
with"
''Why, that Is Helen Van Cortlandt
DR.. Van Cortlandt's daughter.
Bill wasted no time in arriving al
the residence of DR.. Van Cortlandt
whom he knew by reputation as
one Of the leading surgeons in the
city. Finding Helen alone in the draw
ing room Of the old house, he acted il
characteristic manner. proposed to her
first and sought explanations later.
Helen accepted definitely and with
out delay. During the last day or so
at the hospital Bill had gone through
the preliminaries, so she could not
plead surprise.
"You see. belonged to the hospital
aids. Some Of the girls In our set
took up the work because OF the short
age Of nurses We just help out, pass
trays and wash faces in the wards,
and that sort Of thing when they need
us. I happened to be helping in the
private corridor that night you came.
l was only pledged for two hours
work. When you insisted on having
me there was nothing to do but stay.
wanted to get out Of it. but father
said that since I'd Joined the aids
l must stick 1t out. l wanted to
leave for Christmas, but father, who
looks on nursing and doctoring as the
most sacred professions in the world.
wouldn't let me. That's why I was
crying-but Tn glad I stayed"
"And why did you let me call you
Nellie Dean?"
II guess 1t was just a woman's Gu
riOsity," said Helen with a flash from
her brown eyes. II wanted to see
what would happen"