Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-12-16
c HR IS M A 8
TALISMAN

Ross had enlisted and was one
OF the first to leave for camp.
Lorraine's heart har ached wher
she heard he had enlisted. She
knew she was sending him away
with bitter memories of one whose
love could not stand the test. She
had written him asking to be for
given, bue her letter was never
answered. She had created a chasn
she could not bridge. Night after
night her pillow was drenched in
tears. Ross had kept his word. She
was more than sorry. She had lost
him and there could never be an
other, henceforth she was to walk
the lane of regrets.
Lorraine's grief was more than
she could bear as she stood on the
corner with the crowd that never
to be forgotten day and watched
him march away, out of her life.
His tall, athletic form in the suit
of khaki. His face. always before
lighted with a smile, had a look OF
pain. His eyes were sad, like an
injured child's.
The little hospital room seemed
rock and vibrate with those
,tirring war songs over There
md A Long Way To Tipperary."
Lorraine turned from the win
low with sigh.
News of Ross was meager.
Lorraine had watched the papers
each day with painful forebodings.
Then one day his name was among
the list of seriously injured. Boche
machine gun hidden in a tree was
neing vigorously operated b.
means of pulley until Negro SOL
der exhibited great courage in
getting it," So he had fallen in the
line of duty. Her Ross, so brave.
How she longed TO be by his side.
Again Lorraine had written, but
no answer. She never dreamed that
Ross, always so tender, could be
SO hard and unforgiving. He must
have been terribly hurt over her
righteousness and lack of courage.
Returning soldiers had brought
Lorraine news.
Ross had been cited for bravery.
Her heart had thrilled with pride.
She would make him listen when
he returned. but Ross never came
back. Maybe he hated her and had
found some one not tied TO moth
er's apron strings. TO Lorraine Life
became dull and prosaic. She had
laid away her hopes in the trea-
sure<chest of duty and service.
Lorraine became one of the city's
most outstanding colored nurses.
IIonors were hers but they were
empty. Only her mother gloried in
her daughters career. for Lorraine
would have gladly given it up just
to hear Ross's voice, and lisping
baby called her mother.
She had welcomed the position
in Van and Miners because II gave
her more time with mother in her
last days.
II has caused quite a controversy
at the time. The white press assail-
ed Van and Miners for hiring a
colored nurse when plenty OF eff
| ficient white nurses were in need
but the situation was cleared some
what when the true story was told.
Lorraine's father had started
with the first Van and Miner store
when their bills were many and
their customers few. John Parker
had stayed through the lean years
and had given his best and watched
the little store grow from ono
story frame to its present ten story
structure covering an area of four
blocks. Lorraine had been brought
up i'm the stores atmosphere, had
played house in the packing cases
and hide and seek under the coun-
tiers; so it was altogether fitting
that John Parker should be re-
warded for service rendered. Still
IT, was a bitter dose for some of the
proud Anglo-Saxons, particular,
Frieda Seaborn, Lorraine's ass
sociato nurse.
Frieda felt IL an affront to heI
dignity to hold subordinate posi-
ton under Negro. Once Freidi
had gone to Sc Mr.. Miner. When
ever the memory of that interview
came to Frieda her face woulC
burn with modification.
Mr.. Miner had eyed Miss Seaborr
with a queer, quizzical expression
as Frieda made known her errand
Mr.. Miner, have friend, &
white nurse who is one OF The
finest in our city and see needs
work badly, and since there has
been a great deal of dissatisfactir
expressed by many of our best Gus
toners who-She had stopped
when she read the book in Mr.
Miners eyes.
There was a disagreeable pause
as he took off his glasses an'
spoke. punctuating each word by
tapping the glasses against hi
hand.
Miss seaborn. don't you think !
would be more advantageous to yol
W.