The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-08
Profession


Would she be friendly? Would
she pretend not to see Chickie sitting
there? What of it now? What diff
ference could 1t make?
1t was Miss Pain, the girl with
the magnificent blue eyes, whom
Chickie so greatly admired. and un-
der whom she had lately been work
ing in surgery.
She stopped short for the shadow
of a moment, then came over quick
ly, a flash about her: Il hear you're
to leave us, Miss Bryce. I'm sorry.
I'll miss you. But you'll do well
where you're. going"
Chickie managed to smile Her
voice became husky and almost in
audible. "Why-why, Miss Pain, I'm
not sure at all where 1 am going.
1 may not even be accepted
why. certainly you'll be accepted.
Your work is excellent. 1 wish youd
let me hear from you when you're
settled This business Of transferring
is a nuisance" She offered 'Chickie
her hand with a warm II think
you're making a wise change; good
luck to your
The meeting unnerve1 her. Did
Miss Pain suppose she was leaving
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.
Some one else entered. Chickie
kept her 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 Chick1e
could stand. She sank her teeth
cruelty in her lips and stopped down
as though to pick a pin from the
floor. Then she got up and followed
Miss Simonds to her desk.
IT understand you want to trans
fer, Miss Bryce. DR.. Ramm men
toned it."
Chickie answered duly: "Well-I
wish to go on with the work. /
don't want to give it up now"
She wondered with an aching
twist in her heart If he had listened
to much talk about her and if all
those feverish, unreckoned things
she had poured out so >burningly
upon Miss Simonds had been re-
peated to him. Am I entitled to my
credits, Miss Slmonds?"
"Yes-I have trem ready. I have
your reports and I've written you
letter of recommendation"
The blood sprang to Chicl1ie's face:
"Oh-have your
Your work while here and your
conduct warrant tt"
Chickie was fast losing self con-
troll. She pressed her hands on the
desk and without looking across MUIR
INJURED: II appreciate it. Miss ST.
monds-"
well, I trust that now you real
ize, Miss Bryce, that l am not at
all personal in my stand-that you
can we'll understand how impossible.
even for your own sake, it would
be to remain here. No one wishes
to be pointed out. You would be"
Chicl1ie 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
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"
1T is for the best. You will soon
acknowledge this yourself. VIII you
send for your trunk? 1 hope YOU
will do we'll in the future"
Chickie got up. The room and all
the walls tossed upon her multi
tude of echoes-voices and gestures
from days that had been richest and
deepest of any she had known. She
loitered an instant, as though she
would have sweetened and purified
the memory Of herself that she was
leaving here. She gathered up her
credits with hasty Thank you for
these, Miss Simonds."
She left, and going out looked
straight before her, holding her
head up. keeping it up, rigid and
high, her heart swelling until 1t
seemed to burst. She was aware of
passing people. two girls at the en-
trance. aware of smiling, and think
ing WHO are they?"
AS she went down the steps she
was conscious in a dazed way Of
their astonished glances. She de-
Tended herself coolly, II don't know
them. Why are they staring?"
She opened her bag and put the
letters and credits within. Read
them! See what they said! Wait a
moment
She went on as one rushing
through blaze. At the end of three
or four blocks. she paused for a
breath She said to herself, smiling:
"Why should I run-well-"
The ordeal was over. Easier than
she had imagined. Why had Miss
Simonds changed? Were her ideas
different now?
There was a vacant lot here with
a low fence, half torn down. Chickie
stood here a moment. a reaction of
quiet settling in her thoughts. She
took out the reports. All high-all
pleasant as though Helena Bryce
were the finest student nurse in all
the world.
She began to read the letter, and
felt a touch of thanks for its
warmth Her work was good; her
manner attractive. her dress neat
her conduct during twenty months
above reproach-