The Washington times., 1924-04-25

AuLurO WOS9Q De h@rH. She was
going to make it as she wished!
CHAPTER XIX
Resolution.
Mary's little girl sat on Chickie's
lap. 1t was a. dainty creature,
with dimples and smiles and win
some lights in its Z blue eyes,
Mary adored her daughter. But
1t always touched her to pain
when Chickie held the child. She
had sense Of guilt, as though
1t were wrong for her to have all
this happiness and Chiclie SO
little. And she imagined a great
hurt in Chickie's heart.
Today she said abruptly: "Are
you resentful, Chickie? Does it
make you wild to think, some
times?"
Not now. I'm satisfied. I'm
"You see a lot Of Jake Munson,
don't your"
Somewhat"
"And others?"
There are no others"
Then Mary came over and sat
on a stool at Chickie's knees. She
said aimlessly: Isn't she pretty?
I'm glad the girl got the dimples.
Her hair is lovely, like yours,
Chickie." Then sharply: but
there will be others. For you,
Chickie-of course. You have a
right to expect it"
Chickie was buttoning the
baby's shoe. She kept on doing
this. She gave an odd, wistful
laugh: why need there be an.
other, Mary? I'm going my way
alone. Yes, l ami don't want
anything to spoil it--nothing
shall-here take your lovely child,
and don't. worry about your weak
sister,
Walking away from Mary's,
Chickie said to herself suddenly:
I'm more alone here in a way
than I was in the South - I'm
more cut off,
She had resolved on this-shun-
ming even careless attentions.
Jake was away and for six weeks
she had not seen David Ramm.
One night when she was on
duty from until midnight a
rather spectacular thing hap
pened. A patient, who was a Sc
we're abdominal case, grew sud
denly worse. The internes con-
sulting over her decided that an
immediate operation was neces-
sary. One of them said TO
Chickie, Call the chief"
The woman was q patient of
DIR. Ramm's. He said in his soft,
musical tone:. "I'll be right over.
Get her ready, Miss Bryce"
This excited her like a call to
aid. 1t was her duty to prepare
the woman for the operation. She
did it with feverish intensity-all
but praying with each move that
she made. 1t was midnight when
the patient was taken to the am
phitheater where everything was
ready, and, as if by miracle, the
nurses and internes waited.
Chickie was off duty. She want
ed to see this operation. She
went down the corridor. Another
girl in her own class was also
free now. This was Irene Under
wood. She said to Chickie:
What's up? Well, I'll go with
YOU"
1t was the first night operation
Chickie had attended. She could
look down directly at the work.
She was breathless and gripped
her chair as though the instru.
ments were in her own hands and
the incision hers to make.
She felt faint healthier it
seemed to her that the doctor was
machine who worked noiselessly
with inspired swiftness. She heard
his tvoice-heard him sWear-softly
saw his eyes tense-his hands
moving with incredible delicacy.
For an hour they went like this,
dramatic-sure; his face had a
lean, brilliant look as though he
were pouring out his energy. It
seemed to Chickie that he worked
over this woman as though it
were a mother or some one
dearly loved.
Then he threw off his apron,
leaving the internes to finish.
Chickie was spent-her hands
moist and riveted to the chair.
Miss Underwood said: IT want
to ask him something. Come,
there's nothing more to see."
Chickie answered: tits too
late--it's after one"
But they passed him as he
went through the office and Miss
Underwood said: IT didn't quite
understand what you did there"
He stopped, bowling to them.
Then he took UP piece Of chalk
and made a drawing on the black.
board. He was very willing; very
anxious for them to understand.
Miss Underwood asked ques-
tons but Chickie listened. He
looked directly in her eyes:
DO you get it, Miss Bryce?"
""Well--a little"
Look here" He made a new
figure-went through It all again.
Chickie said fervently: "Oh, yes!
! see; wonderful"
He was still looking at her-a
flicker in his eyes: ''So-all
right?"
She flushed: 81 guess 1t was"
He nodded.
Chiclie said to Miss Underwood:
He'll be on duty again at 9. I
don't see how they stand it."
"Humph-but I still don't un.