The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-01-14

suppose he was spoiled. He was YER,
headstrong, and really none Of the chill
: dren in the neighborhood dared 70 MIA,
Win MIN. He was so big and bolster
Gus. All boy from the start.
mao a houSekeeper for n while an,
she had a little wisp of red-haireC
ldssle that-wel she slapped Bill il
'ie lace and pouted and he toed the
marx. She was the first child he evel
prayed with. l kept the housekeepel
as long as | could just an account OF
tliat little Nellie-Nellie Dean. | al.
ways say, and so does Bill. that it was
her red hair-red like yours, you
Know. She taught him how to play
with other children. And so, in his
delirlum he thought you were Nellie
mats why he wants you on In the
case"
so Bill began to recover rapidly
Inc only time his delirium seemed to
return was when the suggestion was
llaue that any one but the little red
haired nurse should attend him. He
night, and so 1t 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 If you
knew l was Nellie DeanY"
Would II" exclaimed the patient
sitting upright and selling her hand
in spite Of instructions to remain
quiet. "Why, have been dreaming Of
little Nellie Dean since l was 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 it from the first" Bill as
sured her. 'Be prepared. I've had
my mind made up to marry you when
l 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 marred BilPs 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 poom in the morning.
A 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 IN
known. Then he inquired for Sister
Helen. WAS she q probationary
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 1t
very important that you should find
her?'
"About as important as anything in
the world could be-" smiled Bill.
"She was little red-haired girl
with"
"Why, that Is Helen Van Cortlandt,
DR.. Van Cortlandt's daughter.
Bill wasted no time in arriving at
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 in
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.
aids. Some Of the girls in our set
.ook up the work because of the short
lge of nurses. We just help out, pass
rays and wash faces in the wards,
md that sort Of thing when they need
is. l happened to be helping in the
private corridor that night you came.
was only pledged for two hours
work. When you insisted on having
ne there was nothing to do but stay.
wanted to get out Of it, but father
aid that since I'd Joined the aids
must stick it out. / wanted to
cave for Christmas, but father. who
ooks on nursing and dOctoring as the
most sacred professions in the world.
wouldn't let me. That's why I was
.rying-but I'm glad l stayed"
"And why did you let me call you
Nellie Dean?"
81 guess it was just wOman's Gu
iosity," said Helen with flash from
Ter brown eyes. II wanted to see
What would happen"
The Neutral Background.