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

stood very near to her chair. She
thought with a heat and a thick
ness pressing about her: II can't
look at him! Oh-isn't this awful
In her mind was an image of his
face, winning and vital with the
eyes that drew her because they
were gray and touched with humor,
but mostly because she fancied with.
in them that great light Of the
spirit.
Once before she had looked into
eyes and imagined all things noble
all that was pure and beautiful
dwelt behin1 them.
Now this man she had exalted,
whose esteem she had so fervently
cherished, was seeing her anew; see
ing her with all the pretense gone.
She was shamed to the heart. For
it is ruthless that others see only
the deed one has done and not at all
the motive; nor the days and
thoughts and even glorles that may
lie behind the barren fact.
If he could see that and perhaps
ever does
She held her hands very still,
whispering to her mind: 1T has
come. Be quiet"
He was speaking: You love the
work so you cannot give it up"
She raised her head, forcing her
eyes to look into his: You must
know, DR.. David-it is already done.
l have left"
He was bending down a little, a
warmth in his face that reached and
held her as though he took her hand.
Whether you have left or not
doesn't matter. If you can't stay
where you are. there are other hos
pitfalls in the city"
Yes, I thought of that"
why not transfer, them"
Her voice sank till she could
scarcely bring it forth: IT spoke of
this to Miss Simonds. I don't be-
lieve 1 can transfer"
Yes, you can. You have your
credits"
mo, I haven't them"
They will he given 10 you. There
will be no question of that. Student
nurses have frequently transferred. p"
She smiled then and turned her
head quickly, biting her lips. She
said in very low tone This is diff
ferent--I mean my case is different.
Other hospitals might not admit
me-"
He must know that. Why did he
keep standing there? Why did he
keep looking at her? She wanted to
stand up, to say quietly, $50 it is
ended-that is all. I am grateful"
But he seemed to keep her there as
though he placed his hand on her
shoulder.
Some hospitals, of course, rarely
accept transfers, but others are
eager to add to their staffs. know
of several where you can most prob
ably enter. That's what 1 came to
tell you. I'll speak to Mrs. Ellis
about you. She's the head nurse at
the hospital where I do most of my
own work-a fine person. Shall
tell her you'll be out to see herr"
"Oh. no: don't do that! Why
well-you see, 1t won't do any good"
What do you meant went do
any good? Is my word that worth
less?"
She thought again with a deadly
faintness: Doesn't he know? I'll
have to say it," and she began,
tVIToII Mics
She opened her hands and studied
their palms. He watched her, and
wondered at the delicacy of her
face, it whiteness, its purity, as
men had wondered before. What
did Miss Simonds say to your
"A great deal She said a great
deal. Don't bother about me, Doctor
David
You mean that Miss Simonds dis
couraged the idea Of transfer? Well,
usually one would. I don't agree
with her in this. See here, Nurse
Helen--didn't you tell me when you
were hardly started that you must
succeed-that it meant more to you
than to any other girl in the
SCHOOL,"
She was standing now, her face
half averted. She put up her hand,
pretending to push the hair from
her forehead. Yes"
"Well-you have succeeded. And
you must finish. I have an idea I
may need you. also have an idea
that my recommendation will have
considerable weight with Mrs. Ellis
So you go down and get youI credits
tomorrow I'll tell Mrs. Ellis you'll
be out to see her Monday afternoon.
VIII you do that?"
She kept her eyes half closed, feel
ing that all her strength must stand
her now.
Then she felt his hand taking hers
It was strong and vital and touched
her like some glowing current. She
could easily have wept--easily have
begged him: "Go-oh, won't you
please go?-this Is more than I can
! bear"
But he said insistently: "Tomor-
row morning you go and get them
Now, am to call for you here, to-
night2"
She was shocked and answered