The Washington times., 1924-04-23
CHAPTER XIV.
THE WHITE CAP.

A bright cord Of excitement
drew sharp and very tight about
the room. Eyes were shiny with
expectancy. Miss Alberta taking
the note books in a hostile. in.
Jured way, stalked to the door.
The moment she was gone. a
quick, deep breath, then a pleased
buzz of questions went humminp
eagerly: Now Who did It? Well
didn't! Did you? / should say
notr'
Inquiring. half accusing. looks
darted wildly, but no one was
weighted with the gravity Of the
offense until Sophie Gates said:
Somebody did it-that's sure
Somebody's due to get it in the
neck. I'd hate to lose my cap for
it ~
Phyllis walking out with Chickie
whispered: 1.-The drawing looked
like you"
II know it,"
II wonder why"
But nothing happened. The
next day after her class, Miss
Alberta said: "WiN Miss Downs
and Miss Bryce please remain 2"
There Were two notebooks on
the desk. The instructress said:
zone Of you is responsible.
Which is it ?"
We'll. not I % Myrtle folded
her arms in slow, insolent man.
ner: mot Il!
Chickie's anger mounted so
swiftly, so holly, she was speech
less.
Miss Alberta said: "Is. this your
notebook. Miss Downs ?"
Yes"
And is this your writing ?"
What about this lecture ? It's
In a different writing" This was
lecture Chickie had copied fer
Myrtle. who's writing is it?
Myrtle shrugged. Somebo "
copied it for me. 1 don't remenl-
Der"
She picked up the other book.
is this yours, Miss Bryce 2"
Yes
"And your writing 2"
Yes. Miss Alberta, that's nv
writing and the writing in Miss
Downs notebook is mine and l
have many other samples Of my
writing if you wish to see them.
Miss Alberta was very pale.
DO you admit making that
drawing 49,
l didn't make the drawing. I
know nothing whatever Of It.
And further, ! don't propose to
be accused of itp'
The person who wrote this
lecture wrote those phrases. The
writing is identical.
Chtckie said warmly, You're
mistaken
Miss Alberta's heavy lips trem-
bled. 1.-THE person who did this
hasn't the qualities that make for
a nurse. You may go now"
Chickie went up to her ward.
trembling. She brought water to
the girl who had heart failure.
The girls lips were blue. Chickie
thought sadly, Il wonder IL she's
dying--"and everything was I'M
important in the presence Of this
solemn finality. And it seemed so
futile that anyone should care that
another respect him; that any one
should bother because a drawing
made a joke of him. Life and
death must have a great time
laughing at the little, bumptious
atoms taking themselves so seri-
ously-then presently all quiet:
all utterly defenseless--all with.
out future but grave.
That afternoon Myrtle was
called to the office. With mvs.
FERROUS efficiency the news trav-
eled. An hour later Chickie was
called.
She had not been in the office
since the day she came to make
. her inquiries. The day Miss
Simonds had filled her with such
trembling fervor; had set the
new life open with such a ring
ing call to all the strength and
all the beauty she could offer.
Miss Simonds was sitting at a
desk. She was big boned and
capable. Now as the first time
there was a measured tolerance
In her frank eyes. She said quiet.
ly, "A very cruel and unwomanly
thing has been done, Miss
Bryce"
Without waiting for the sen.
tence to finish, Chickie broke in
holly, II didn't do it,"
Let me speak, Miss Bryce"
THE writing seems very much
alike. Now / understand that q
thoughtless impulse might prompt
such deed-that a girl might
have done this without any NAL.
ice" ~