The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-30
CHAPTER XIX
Resolution

Mary's little girl sat on Chickie's
lap. 1t was a dainty creature, with
dimples and smiles and winsome
lights in its blue eyes. Mary adored
her daughter. But it always touched
her to pain when Chickie held the
child. She had a sense Of guilt, as
though it were wrong for her to
have all this happiness and Chickie
SO little. And she imagined great
hurt in Chickie's heart.
Today she said abruptly: Are
you resentfu. Chickie? Does 1t make
you wild to think, sometimes?"
mot now. I'm satisfied. I'm in
terested-"
You see a lot of Jake Munson,
don't you?"
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 9th
ers. For you, Chickie-of course.
You have a right to expect it"
Chickie was buttoning the ba-
by's shoe. She kept on doing this.
She gave an odd, wistful laugh:
why need there be another, Mary?
I'm going my way alone. Yes, I
ann 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, Chickie
said to herself suddenly: I'm more
alone here in a way than I was in
Chicago-1'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 spec
tacular thing happened. A patient,
who was a severe abdominal case,
grew suddenly worse. The internes
consulting over her decided that an
immediate operation was necessary.
One of them said to Chickie, Call
the chief"
The woman was a patient Of Dr.
Ramm's. He said in his soft, mu-
steal tone: I'll be right oyer. Get
her ready Miss Bryce"
This excited her like a call to aid
1t was her duty to prepare the wom-
an for the operation. She did it
with feverish intensity-all but pray
ing with each move that she made
1t was midnight when the patient
was taken to the amphitheater
where everything was ready, and, as
if by miracle, the nurses and In.
ternes waited.
Chickie was off duty. She wanted
to see this operation. She went
down the corridor. Another girl in
her own class was also free now.
This was Irene Underwood. 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 GREATNESS and gripped her chair
her own hands and the incision hers
70 make.
She felt a faint healthier it
seemed to her that the doctor was
machine who worked noiselessly
with inspired swiftness. She heard
his voiceAheard 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 lean,
brilliant look as though he were
pouring out his energy. 1t seemed
to Chiclxie that he worked oyer this
woman as though 1t were a mother
or some one dearly loved.
Then he threw off his apron, leav-
ing the internes to finish. Chickie
was spent-her hands moist and riv-
eted to the chair.
Miss Underwood said: IT want to
ask hin 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 I'm
derwood said: II didn't quite un-
derstand what you did there"
He stopped, bowling to them. Then
he took up a piece Of chalk and
made drawing on the blackboard.
He was very willing; very anxious
for them to understand.
Miss Underwood asked questions
but Chickie listened. He looked iii,
rectiy into her eyes: DO you get it.
Miss Bryce?"
'Well-a little"
Look here" He made a new
f1gure-went through it all again. e
Chickie said fervently: ooh, yes!
see, wonderful"
He was still looking at her-a
flicker in his eyes: so all right?"
She flushed: Il guess it was"
He nodded.
Chickie said to Miss Underwood:
He'll be on duty again at s. l don't
see how they stand it"
"Humph-but l still don't under
stand why he did it that way-Dr.
Oakum wouldn't have" Miss I'm