The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-05

probation days. Hurrying down the
corridor, she wondered what Miss
Simonds wanted. Oh-perhaps to
congratulate her on the ELECTION
not that exactly; but to make few
suggestions, to offer advice.
Or, it might be to mention some
vacancy in the department Of sur
gical nursing-and Chickie was to
strive for this; be ready for it at
graduation.
She was always hoping for some
brilliant opportunity like this. And
Miss Simonds had watched an op-
Grafton a few weeks ago. She had
later in the hall. She had said:
You like your work. Miss Bryce?'
Chickie became excited at this
elating prospect. How very gor-
geous! She was flushed, entering
the office.
| Miss Simords had grave, white
look. She motioned Chickie to a
chair opposite her at a flat top desk.
She held an envelope in her hand
and kept running her finger back
and forth over the edge. Chickie
| looked at her frank eyes. They were
uneasy and harbored trouble.
After a long pause Miss Simonds
said: IT am hoping very much, Miss
Bryce, that you will be able to ex-
plain. I have called you here on a
most distasteful matter. Now-if it
turns out as 1 trust, we shall forget
entirely this interview"
Unconsciously Chickie's head
raised. Irene, of course! And bring
ing that pitiful affair to the super
intendent! She said, abruptly,
"Yes?"
IAN anonymous letter was sent to
me some time ago, making certain
accusations against you. Miss Bryce.
Naturally, I paid little attention to
1t. Then rumors began to circulate
among the students of your class.
Are you aware of them, Miss Bryce?"
Chickie said, with a touch Of dig
nifty: There are so many rumors,
MISS Dill illus.
This one concerns you. 1t is very
grave. Charges have been made.
They are so damaging we were
forced to look into them. Let me
make sure, Miss Bryce"
Then Chickie knew. She took a
deep, noiseless breath. She put on
a brave, Pickering smile to hide the
tightness in her throat.
You are not married?"
The smile deepened for now
wave Of heat swept up and half en-
quilted her. ooh, no"
"were you ever married."
mo"
els it true that you have child?"
Chickie looked straight before her.
She pressed her palms on the table
and she said in a strange, unnatural
quiet: why yes-yes-"
Then the charges are true?"
"Why yes"
Miss Simonds' color dropped Wis
IDLY until her cheeks were a leaden
white and her eyes stood out shocked
and incredulous.
Are you aware of the admission
you are making, Miss Bryce?"
"Oh, yes"
your child is dead?"
"Ah-" Chickie's lips parted.
They kept moving. Then she bit
them harshly together. She said,
looking at those strange white hands
of hers, pressed against the table,
Yes"
Can it be true. also, Miss Bryce,
that a question was raised as to the
cause of it's death?"
mo. 1t died.
81 understood there was a trial"
\ Chickie drew her hands to her lap.
She was numb.
WAS there a trial, Miss Bryce?
There was doubt as to the cause of
the death? Do you not wish to an
swer?"
Then Chickie became excited and
a little wild. She leaned across the
table. She moistened her lips: "No!
It died--there was no trial-An in
quest, and it was proven! And ev-
cry one knows that it died! The
doctor testified. l brought 1t to him
and said it~was dead. 1t was weak,
and he knew it would die. All that
came out-the whole thing. There
was no doubt left-there WASH. /, any
at alp
She moved back then, her hands
quiet: That's all-that's all!'
"Who was the doctor?"
'Dr. Emerson of Moppett. Why,
you can write to him-you can learn
it all"
How long ago was this?"
1.-TWO years last January"
when you entered this hospital,
Miss Bryce, you made no mention
OF this episode. Nor did your spon-
sors. You represented yourself as
girl of unblemished character. You