Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-12-16
BY Alma Bean Loving
PART ONE

gency hospital in the large depart
ment store of Van a. Miner was
quiet after weeks of the usual holt
day activity.
The white walls were assuming
that gray shadows that denoted the
coming OF evening. The six white
beds were empty. for the last patti
ent had gone. Only the little sharp
hiss OF the radiator and the tick OF
a clock could be heard.
Now and then the drone OF the
late Christmas shoppers and the
sound of mechanical toys in the
hands OF overly enthusiastic
Youngsters broke the monotone
Through the large window with
its curtains OF soft cream. could
be seen the snow flakes, whirlng
and eddying gracefully around the
corner, while Lorraine Parker, the
little colored nurse, stood and
watched the dancing snow through
eyes misty with tears.
She was thinking of a new made
grave and wondering If 1t was
covered with the mantle OF white
Lorraine was desperately lonely
without her darling mother. They
had always been chum. so close.
Christmas had meant glorious days
for them. Now she was all alone.
and sigh that seemed more of a
sob escaped her.
A faint tinkle OF bell and she
looked down into the street. On the
opposite corne was a gentle faced
old lady in shabby blue uniform
standing over an iron kettle. Lor-
raine could not hear what she said
but she knew the words please
help the por" for Lorraine had
the poor for Lorraine had cheated
on her lunch to drop a quarter into
that kettle.
A read bedecked Santa Claus was
coming down the street, followed
by a group of noisy youngsters. for
Christmas and children were
synonymous, they belonged to-
gethcr with happiness.
The scene brought poignant
memories to Lorraine.
"Reminiscences came and weighed
her down. Why was she lonely and
sad? True. mother was dead, but
she need not have been alone. Lor
raine bit her lip to choke back
heart breaking sObs. She could
have been a happy wife and mothe
She might have been too busy on
this Christmas eve TO sob over that
grave. How she envied women with
their happy. rollicking babies. She
had held many of them I'm her arms
In her nursing career and had
learned 10 adore their soft, cuddly
bodies.
Sixteen years ago, Lorraine had
put marriage aside and love.
Mother depended so much on Lor-
rane. She had been mothers main
stay after utl ldlil'i huh hlN ~
Mother had such hopes for hcl
only child, and Lorraine was not
brave enough TO disappoint mother.
Tears that she had fought 20
control coursed down her cheeks
as she recalled that last stormy
scene with Ross Davis, her child
hood sweet heart.
Ross had carried her books TO
| school, had fought all her battles,
and had worked her arithmetic.
When they had grown up it had
ripened into love. He had wanted
| mattiage. hut Lorraine had shook
her head.
"No Ross. | can't hurt mother,
I'm all she has now"
Ross voice Quivered with painful
disappointment as he pleaded.
And you're all | have. Lorraine
darling You cant mean you wont
ever. marry me Tell me you don't
mean IT that way"
Lorraine's hands clenched now
at the remembrance of her answer
81 mean 1t Ross. can't while
mother lives, she needs me-"
"Yop don't think need you
them Ross had asked.
ooh Ross, you don't understand.
she had scolded gently.
Ross became angry, accusing
her of playing with him and
Threatening to make her sorry. Hc
had walked away rom her with
proud, rapid footsteps, and Ross
.ad kept his word.
IL was I'm the year nineteen
seventeen. The world was in q
turmoil Almost over night America
went war mad. Patriotic songs
waving flags and marching men
Going over tn top" whose q
slacker?" became the popular
phrases of the hour.
II was to be a white mans wal
but later 1t became everybody
war and free for all.
Lorraine's heart had ached wher
ously as those far off days came
back TO haunt her.
! The tinkle of the old lady's bell
the hum of the late Christmas
shoppers and the faint click of tbs
swiftly moving elevators faded