The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-03-04

had most of the qualities to insure
professional success she was always
on guard against a serious handicap.
She had a bad memory. Hitherto it had
betrayed her only in burned arrOwrOOt
and an occasional overflow in the bath
ROOM. But yesterdays lapse was little
short of calamity.
Late that afternoon she had discovered
the oxygen cylinder which she had been
last to use empty-its cap carelessly I'M
screwed.
The disaster called for immediate rem
edy, for the patient, Pro. G1endOwer Baker,
was suffering from the effects Of gas poi
sOning. Although dark was falling the man,
lies, had to harness the pOny for the long
drive over the mountains in order to get a
fresh supply.
Nurse Cherry had sped his parting with
a feeling of loss. lies was a CHEEKY soul
and a. tower Of strength.
1t was dirty weather, with a splitting rain
blanketing the elephant gray mounds Of the
surrounding hills. The valley road wound
like a muddy coil between, soaked bracken
and -dwarfed oaks. r
lies shook his head as he regarded the
savage isolation of the landscape.
Il don't half like leaving yOu-a pack of
wOmen-with him about. Put up the shut
teTs on every door and window, nurse, and
don't let no one come in till 1 get back
He drove off, his lamps glow worms in
the gloom.
Darkness and rain. And the sodden IN
! OeISIOWlu SGclueu " QulNGL anu bluAs 81
that stunted trees took on the shapes OF
crOuching men advancing toward the house
Nurse Cherry hurried through her round
of fastening the windows. As she carried
her and from room to room OF the tor
stories she had the uneasy feeling that she
was visible to any watcher.
Her mind kept wandering back to the
bad business Of the forgotten cylinder. L
had plunged her in depths of self-distrus
and shame. She was Overtired, having
nursed the patient single handed until tn,
arrival, three days ago, of the second nurse
But that fact did not abSOlve her from
2 blame.
I'm not fit to be a nurse" she told her
self in bitter self-reproach.
She was still in a dream when she locke,
the front door. Nurse Silver's question
brought her to earth with a furtive sens
, of guilt.
Nurse Silver's appearance inspired conf
, dence, for she was Of solid build, wit
= strong features and a black shingle. Yei
: for all her stout looks, her nature SCENE
e that Of Job.
tiles? Yes"
: Nurse Cherry repeated his caution.
Hell get back as soon as he cam" sh
/ added, 'but it probably won't be unit
'Then," said Nurse Silver glOOmil:
we're alOne!'
v Nurse Cherry laughted.
alone? Three hefty women, all Of I
able to give a good account Of ourselves
I'm not afraid" Nurse Silver gave h
= a rather peculiar look. I'm safe enough
"Why?"
u Because of you. He won't touch \
- with you here"
T Nurse Cherry tried to belittle her ov
II attractive appearance with a laugh.
he For that matter" she said, we're {
te safe"
a. dc you think sO2 A lonely house. ]
= man. And two of u.s."
Nurse Cherry glanced at her starch
nurses apron. Nurse Silver's words ma
q, her feel like special bait-a goat tether
= in a jungle to attract a tiger.
y Don't talk nonsense! - she said sharp
The countryside of late had been chill
= by a series of MURDERS. In each case t
victim had been a trained nurse. The I
&c lice were searching for a medical stude