The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-05
CHAPTER LVII
Cllickie's Fight

1t was three years since that night
and pressed her face against his
head, whispering: "Ho I know it,
dog-it's so!' And she knew herself
alone in the world with heaviest
cross a world can fashion laid upon
her shoulders.
Three years she had carried it.
Now she was grown strong under
the weight. And in this moment
strong enough to throw it off
strong enough to dash it to the
ground.
She sat very still, within her
leaping storm. She knew that she
must Highland she would. She
waited for her words to come.
She temporized: You think must
resign, Miss Simonds?"
'Is there any need to repeat 1t,
Miss Bryce? I regret this deeply"
1T is a great deal to ask. 1t
means SO much to me-so much.
Isn't there some way to avoid it?
here is stainless. Shouldn't l be
judged by that, and not by the
paste"
You force me into difficult
position. must do what seems best
for the whole. I have really no
choice in the matter. You can sure
ly understand that this revelation
makes your further presence here
practically impossible. You would be
pointed out; you would be whispered
about. You would hurt the reputa-
ton Of every girl in the school,"
Chickie drew in her breath with a
rough gasp. How could do that?"
why do you insist on argument?
You must realize that we have to
keep our standards above reproach.
Can we permit 1t to be said that the
nursing profession offers refuge to
girls Of doubtful character?"
Chickie half whispered: Doubtful?
1? oh, am not doubtful never
was. Should no refuge be offered?
Oh, none? You know, Miss Simonds,
I am as good as many girds. My
mind Is not corrupt. have striven
hard. have never stinted in all
these months. I am glad TO
serve. :"
And she grew excited. Her words
came in broken phrases, with short,
hard breaths between. She had to
stop now and then because of twist
ing at her lips. And she had to press
her hands because they were knock
ing against the table.
And she told how 1t was life to her.
How her father counted on 1t, and
every one, and she had a right to
prove herself.
so L can't resign, Miss Simondsl
I'm not going to resignl I've come
here to serve; to pour out my life,
and I am going to do this, and no
one has a right to deny me the
chance. Not you, or any one!'
She stood DIP a little, leaning on
her hands. Her eyes famed, and
white, tragic line came about her
mouth.
"sit down, Miss Bryce! Control
yourself. I would be glad to have
you stay. 1 am sorry the charges
have been brought. But there are
girls here-many of them very
young. I can't jeopardize their flu
ture in order to make yours"
She sank down. then asked, with a
-
them, Miss Simonds? How does it
harm them If 1 am allowed to be of
use in the world?" She wouldn't
wait for answer.
II don't see how the world can
benefit by my defeat, or how other
don't see that at ALL"
''You harm these girls because
they may figure that you broke the
laws and are honored. So they may
do the same. And you harm them
because those who know the deeds
of your life may conclude that all
nurses are likewise uncertain in
their standards. Why should a girl
of pure character be smirched by
another's past?"
what I did can't smirch any one
else, Miss Simonds. And because
people judge US evil doesn't make
us So"
But we can suffer because Of the
worlds judgment, Miss Bryce. The
young students would suffer if they,
as a class, should be judged Of un-
sound moral fiber. Neither you nor
any other individual has a right to
bring upon them such a censure."
Chickie grew suddenly scarlet and
bewildered. She pressed her closed
hands against her mouth.
Miss Simonds said, 80, let the
matter end, Miss Bryce"
She answered, almost to herself:
What will Jonathan do? Oh, there
is my father and mother"
did you think Of them three
years ago, Miss Bryce?"
II am thinking of them now. l
can't undo what is past. But I can
make the future. I thought had
right to do this. Miss Simonds, I
thought I had a right to come here
and prove myself-as much right
to come back as you or any one has
to go on. Oh, only towards give up.
And it is f1outing God and truth and
ovorvfhiuc, RI sfy,Ix down foroxynr II,