Evening star., 1934-08-20

. NOTl0e HeDD HtlTtbo. n1dlud tLkci
Nurses, Training School at Cramburs
Johnnie Casey, an inferno. She works
plays. Mazda meets the popular DR.. Gil
leSpie. whom her friend and roommate,
Bert Gulick advises her TO cultivate.
Now 20 on with the story
CHAPTER VIII.
AIDA grew very fond Of her
M roommate; she was forced to
N admit to herself that she
4 Il would not like to change
Bert for some of the girls
she had thought so charming at first.
The strict discipline Of the training
school was good for Bert. Her trim
blond hair, confined by net, gave
her that air of shining cleanliness
which blonds can achieve. Constant
criticism by Miss Jackson and mild
hazing by the older girls had tanned
her exuberant vitality until she was
no longer an exhausting companion.
She was deft and willing worker
and the best natured girl in the class.
Bert was now working in the scolored
ward, where she was a great success
with the patients. Bert's legs, which
were somewhat too heavy for the rest
of her body, were much admired by
the Negroes.
Darn it." said Bert, II wish could
feel that way about them. Ever since
/ was little girl, relatives have been
saying, She has legs just like Aunt
Fanny"
The patients had discussed Bert
audibly as she made beds the first
day in the ward.
I'VE got us a right pretty little
nurse this time, amt we?"
Yes, Lawd, and jes' look at them
laigs! Amt they nice and big?"
Most of the denizens of "Colored," !"
whether toothless hags or young
wenches suffering from razor wounds,
were pleased to be in the hospital.
1t meant better food and care than
they were accustomed to, and con-
slant attendance at social gathering
which combined the joys of prayer
meeting and a neighborly gossip.
Mazda went around by way of Col
ored" whenever possible, If she and
Bert were to 60 of duty at the same
time, and she never failed to get
thrill from the soft hymns which
usually arose after the supper trays
had been cleared away, when the pa
tients we're waiting for visiting hour
to begin.
Mazda stepped into the utility room
to wait one night when Bert was late
in getting of. The ward was still and
peaceful tonight, two rows of spot
less beds, their occupants tidied for
the night, the two or three up-patients
in their wheel chairs propelling them
selves from bed to bed, exchanging
a few affable words as they passed,
and Bert flying around in her crisp
uniform like an angel of light.
will you lead us in song, Lutie?"
some one called to a strapping young
mulatto, who had the best voice in
the ward.
She was sulky and refused un-
eraciously.
will you lead us, Sis Annie?"
Sis Annie, wrinkled little wisp
in spectacles, answered, with re-
proving look at Lutte, "Yes, I'll lead"
Then she began improvising and
the other women Joined with their
natural instinct for harmony.
"Oh, yes, I'll lead; oh, yes, I'll lead,
I'll lead when the Lawd say lead"
"Oh, yes, I'll pray"
"Oh, yes, I'll pray" chimed the rich
voices Of the others. I'll pray when
my Lawd say pray"
There was something curiously
moving about the soft chanting and
MAZDA was almost sorry when beck
oned from the doorway.
Say, Connell," said Bert elegantly,
ct couldn't eat that stuff tonight,
could you? Fried catfish and stewed
tomatoes every Friday night for five
months is too much for me"
I'VE might go over to Lieb's and
get a sandwich and some ice cream"
said Mazda doubtfully. but hate
to spend the money. After all, the
T. S. o. is supposed to feed us. They
work us hard enough
Don't tell mel" groaned Bert.
"What do you suppose it costs to feed
the nurse? Fifteen cents day.
heard it pretty straight"
Whenever two or three nurses we're
gathered together they we're likely to
spend some of the time in vilifying
the hospital food and as a conse-
quence Lieb was getting rich from his
little pharmacy around the corner.
No, he couldn't get rich on what the
nurses and internes had to spend
but, such as it was, he got it all.
Bert and Mazda were in the drug
. store little after 7:30 when Johnnie
Casey joined them at their table.
How would you like to go out for
q little ride?" he asked
II can't, worse luck" said Bert. "1
have to study for that anatomy quiz -
That's the first I've heard of it."
said Mazda suspiciously You are
not idiot enough to think you would
be spelling a date, are you?"
Il wouldn't stay home just to give
you a chance with DR.. Casey, you egg.
: He's my secret passion, aren't you
DR.. Casey?"
Don't kid me, girl" said Johnnie
YOU'D better change your mind and
come along"
Bert was firm, and when she had
finished her banana split she left with
some of the other nurses.
II like Bert, she's a swell kid"
said Johnnie after she left, but as a
matter of fact I'm glad she didn't go
. tonight. Gillespie and a nurse named
Retta Cook are over in the booth and
we thought we would fix up double
/ date You know Cookie, don't you?"
Il guess I've seen her. She's a
Junior, isn't she?"
We'll, come on over and meet her
and let's get going"
Z You know what time I have to
be in, don't you?"
Sure; she does, too 1t wouldn't
be worth getting late leave for a
little binge like this. We're just 60
ing to drive out in the country and
maybe dance few times"
Cookie was sleek, pretty girl who
managed to be both SNUG and pro-
, vocative She was cool and patroniz-
ing to Mazda, the manner of the
mans woman to a possible rival.
I'm glad I'm going to be with