The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-06
CHAPTER LXII.
THE RECOMMENDATION


young girls playing jacks. She
was appalled, at the task before
her.
What would Miss Simonds say
now? Would she give her the
credits2 And in the transfer would
she tell 1t all again and saw for
this Chiciie had to leave?
Did DIR. David know they would
DO this? How much had he heard
and how much believed? OH
this was bitter enough! Nothing
was worth it-nothtngi
She walked m bre quickly, feel.
Ing his gray eyes upon her. Hur.
~! She said she would. She
had to!
Nearing the hospital she was
almost in a faint. Some OF the
visiting doctors were leaving
some were coming. They were
ike people in a breathless and
raSeful drama She brushed past,
smiling.
The girls at the switchboard
looked up with quick, interested
glances. They were eager to
speak. Chickie smiled and turned
in a panic,
The assistant was in the Office
ana for many minutes-each one
a separate agony Nor Chickie-
she did not turn her head. Then.
continuing to write, she said for.
mally, "WhA.s can 1 do for You.
Miss Bryce?"
Il would like to see Miss ST.
mOndS.
Miss Simonds will return in a
short while, believe"
Chickie sat down, yet half won.
dering If she would be asked to
stand. She watched the door. and
nearing a hand on the knob. a
, chill ran through every nerve
Ferhaps 1t was one of the girls IN
ner class-Would she be friendly?
MouIo she pretend not to see
Cnlckie sitting there, What of 1t
now? What difference could it
make?
1t was Miss Pain, the girl with
the magnificent blue eyes, whom
Chlckie so greatly admired, and
under whom she had lately been
working in surgery.
Sne stopped short for the
shadow of moment, then came
over quickly. a flash about her:
near you're to leave us. Miss
Bryce, I'm sorry. III miss Won
But you'll do we'll where you're
going"
chlckie managed to smile. Her
voice became husky and almost
1naudlole. "Why-why. Miss Pain.
m not sure at all where I am
gong: may not even be &C.
cepted-"
why, certainly you'll be accent
ed' Your work is excellent.
wish you'd let me hear from Won
When you're settled. This bust
ness OF transferring is a mi
sance." She offered Chickie her
hand with a warm az think vou'ra
making wise change; good luck
to your U 'A
me meeting unnerved her. Did
MISS rain suppose she was leav.
ing OF her own accord? What
rumors were flying here and there
about her? Oh. surely the secret
never was kept! She worked on
her gloves, drawing her hands
again and again over the fingers.
Someone else entered. Chickie
hCPI neT eyes down.
But it was Miss Simonds this
time and she came right up and
said In the briskest, most cheerful
tone: Good morning, Miss Bryce
come right OVER
1t was a little more than ChicEie
could stand. She sank her teeth
cruelty into her lips and STONED
down as though to pick a min from
the floor. Then she got up and
followed Miss Simonds to her
desk.
II understand you want to trans
fer, Miss Bryce. DR.. Ramm men
toned it,"
Chickie answered DULY: well
Il wish to go on with the work.
don't want to give it up
She wondered with an aching
twist in her heart If he had lis.
tened to much talk about her and
If all those feverish, unreckoned
things she had poured out so
burningly upon Miss Simonds had
been repeated to him. Am / en-
titled to my credits, Miss Sim.
onds?"
''Yes-I have them ready. I
have your reports and I've written
you letter of recommendation"
The blood sprang to Chichie's
face: "Oh-have your
Your work while here and your
conduct warrant it"
Chickie was fast losing self.
control. She pressed her hands on
. the desk and without looking
across murmured: IT appreciate
1t. Miss Simonds--"
well. trust that now YOU
realize, Miss Bryce, that am
not at all personal in my stand
that you can well understand how
impossible, even for your own
sake, it would be to remain here.
No one wishes to be pointed out.
You would be-"
Chickie had little heart to talk
though she was almost giddy with
relief--a letter of recommendation
then no word was said about
the past and no opposition could
be raised to her entrance in an.
other hospital! This was enough.
She only answered.: '"Well-I
loved it here, Miss Simonds, and
I have friends. I didn't wish to
leave--I don't want to leave
now"
"It is for the best. You will
soon acknowledge this yourself.
VIII you send for your trunk?
hope you will do we'll in the
future"
Chickle got up. The room ana
all the walls tossed upon her a
multitude Of echoes-voices ana
gestures from days that had been
stehest and deepest of any she