4 Die TR CE py p ! £o a Dvr ER. PITY FOR HIM SYNOPSIS. — Nurses In the Southern hogpital at Avonmouth are angered by the Insolent treatment accorded them by Dr. John Lancaster, head of the In- stitution, and there is a general feeling of dnrest, into which Joan Wentworth, probationary nurse, is drawn. Doctor Lancas- ter is performing a difficult oper- ation, for which he has won fame. Joan. with other nurses, is in attendance. She Is upset, through no fault of her own, and makes a trivial blunder at a crit- fecal moment. The patient dies and Doctor Lancaster her of clumsiness. She is sus- pended, the action meaning the end of her hope of a career as a nurse. Without relatives or friends, and desperate, Joan, urged by her landlady, goes to Doctor Lancaster's office to ask him to overlook her blunder and reinstate her. She overhears a violent altercation between Doc tor Lancaster and other men she does not see accuses Chapter lI wl room, with the sense of an Institution, though it was well furnished. saw the white enameled table, glass case full of Instruments, pmpty court outside; then John caster himself, alone. standing bent head behind a chair, on he was leaning. As Joan entered gan to open. She the Lan- with an inner Joan knew that the man reling was inside a She dreaded lest he should tnt suddenly the door closed. She looked at Lancaster again. It was still quite light within the econ sulting room, but Lancaster, with his back to the gilhouette, so that Joan could his face clearly. “Well, ais head. “1 came to speak to you about this morning.” Joan means—" He indicated a room behind come standing window, was In not see madam? he asked, began chair. He was fagl fr A Joan thought because of the scene which he had just participated. me the trouble” began, as seated herself, drawing up his chair toward hers. Now her he Joan could see his face, and. to astonishment, It did not had addressed terms as yet of the man who another man in such might use to a slave. unkindly face ably that of a sick man. For a moment she remembered the seemed to transform the man. he possessed] a dual personality. Then she was recalled to herself by Lan easter’'s repetition of his remark, Joan rose up hastily. a patient. Her face meant the day had affected him. With a nervous movement she unfastened her cloak. disclosing her uniform. “] am Miss Wentworth,” she ex- vlgined. “1 eame to tell you—I came ‘op say—" Then, treading out her pride once more, “1 came to ask if you won't reconsider your decision to suspend me. My work means every- thing to me. It Is my life work, my vocation. 1 always wanted to be a purse. | felt that it was my task to help alleviate suffering. Doctor Lan- caster, apart from my own interests, others. Won't you give me another opportunity 7 She spoke with her hands uncon- sciously clasped before her; the rec ollection of her earlier hopes. the thonght of their frustration brought a quiver into her voice. When she stopped she saw that Lancaster was looking at her with obvious interest, “Tell me about this morning,” he snld quietly. “1 had to come away withont breakfast, and the fumes of the ether made me faint. 1 wag nearly fainting when you asked me for the .sealpel, and 1 couldn't see the tray. Indeed ft was not the operation that made me 111. 1 have never been reprimand. ed before. The lady superintendent had told me several times that the hospital appreciated my work. So 1 hoped you would be willing to over. Wok my blunder and let me graduate.” Lancaster looked at her with a sin- gular expression that seemed to mask his thoughts, She could not tell how her plea had Impressed him. When he spoke she was dumfounded by the harshness and casualness of his tone, “Why have you come to my house about this?” he asked. "This is not my hour for seeing patients—I mean people.” “1 am sorry If 1 did wrong!” cried the girl. “But if you knew how much it means to me—" “I can do nothing for you now,” sald Lancaster, The volce was harsh again, but cu- riously flat, as if he*was trying to restrain his emotions, hold himself in; as If he was afraid. of what? Not of his anger, Joan was standing In front man had something pathological about it to her mind, There was not least jauntiness or self-consciousness about him. He looked older than His manner Indicated that of one aroused from sleep, His He finger chalr, his the support. of his was pressing firmly against if for stories pale, thumb and of the remembered drinking habits. But that Lancaster had not been drinking had attended Ag Joan the she saw nleoholle [00 many of that. “Doctor Lancuster, my dismissal means the loss of came to ask If my chance.” If 1 you won't inquire about then Joan an record and sald at give me “And 1 am inconvenient came time the courtesy of a final answer. not come to you again” “1 can't answer you." sald Lanens ter, as if speaking in his sleep. the Interests of discipline—it is im- The flat refusal there was about Joan turned away, her. And preposterous sSOme manner, perfectly her. What was the matter Why the turn round? Suddenly with him? did FOOm round arm. He was ing her, helping her into a the on sit quiet, sald in a n on her support chair; she look fog Saw a concern his face “Now Miss fone Walt Wentworth’ iy of decision But They Meet in a Day or Two, and Then" and, when you are feeling composed, let me see if 1 can’t help you" He drew his chair toward again and leaned toward her, “1 have not been feeling well” he explained. “1 was not myself when 1 discharged you this morning. When 1 refused to discuss the matter with you it was because It Is an invariable rule that the nurses are not supposed to come to my house. Outside the hospital 1 see nobody connected with the hospital. I'll see what 1 ean do, The matter will have to go before the board now, I suppose. Why did yon come away without your breakfast? Why didn’t your folks Insist on your having something to em?” “I have no people,” answered Joan. “My mother died nearly two years ago. We came here from Lucas county, and she was taken [ll soon after our arrival. 1 hoped to get my diploma and have my profession’ “You had no breakfast, and | dis charged you for fainting, and your di ploma means everything to you,” sald Lancaster slowly, clasping his hands as if in thought. Then, with a decl sive, odd gesture, he leaned still nearer Joan and dropped his voice as he spoke, as If he was afraid that the man in the next room would hear him, “Remember this as long 8s you live,” he sald. “In this life people are not penalized for incapacity: they are punished for being unfortunate Are you unlneky. hers “I—why, yes, I suppose I must be she answered, looking at Lancaster in growing astonishment, mixed with a little fear. “And you have sympathy for the unfortunate? You—you suid some thing like that just now--about wish- ing to be of help to others. Are you loyal and staunch?” “I hope 1 am,” sald Joan uneasily, “If one is loyal to others, one does not fear one's own misfortunes,” sald Lancaster. “They rise out of some fault or weakness—|if one follows the trail far enough back into one's self, I've learned that, heaven knows! Wentworth,” he ended suddenly, “would you consider a temporary po sition while your case Is under inves tigation by the board? “But they meet in a day or two, and then—" “Would you consider it,” repeated Lancaster, “If you could be of greater service than you know? Suppose | said to you as I am saying now, that you seem to me the best suited, hy loyalty and good will, to help, of all the nurses I know, would you nccept 7! “Then, Doctor Lancaster.” Joan triumphantly, “if you have that opinion of me you have no excuse for not getting the board to reinstate me.” The man faltered as she hin. He was no her. Miss cried looked at longer terrible armor that he assumed, reveasled weakness that none had pected Pity for him, a pity whose divine, vast cnuse she wis unable to began to stir “1 pledge you my word to do can for Lancaster, you must help me in turn, | need for this’ purpose. | want you into the country for a month. It will and you,” said rest you, too, you are run down ut “1 th doubtfully. “It Is a hobby established It twenty-fi f the Lill hut ] e in Drexham ink so.” county answered Joan, rather of mine. people, squandered, und It However, It nnd It is the within a score of in charge. every now god shape nod only pin miles and I- then 0 There is Jenkins in down there up there, nnd him to #8 matron the mnrk. The surgical aleoholle cases comprise work occasion an or two after pay season. and there's a woman there, hut she won't It's in the hill would you like to go?” what nia In its TOR, come under your care. country How “1 don't the know an- girl, linve he to say.” swered “But attachments In Avonmouth? at her “Nobody iB it. thoughis are bent on instatement.” “1 help me vig no asked, Inoking hard Doctor Lancaster, all my my re do best for you if §OU Ww i with swe red “And my out this case,” he an will get sirong sour Yon nbd you month and take up work ignin with a ‘light heart have a sald fare, of cour =" Eo, “Then listen remuneration, You'll answered your zo? Joan, he said, then” to me” with lowered voice and door. “1 simll not you start, but | rely on you. must leave the nine o'clock tomorrow njorning. And must spenk to nobody about this dertaking.” “1 shall say nothing, Lan caster. And [| bave to thank you with all my heart” He frowned at her. And the curious in his omnner, the furtive ness of the man, which still disquieted the girl. was in extraordinary contrast to Lancaster's appearance in theater that morning. to that she had associated with him, was utterly bewildered. As Lancaster close her, and now his tittle more than a whisper. “T'll wire tec Mrs. Fraser, tron,” he said, “and I'll buggy meet you at the caster station, Miss Wentworth, I wish" But the door opened. and the white attendant siouched into the room. He stared insolently a! Joan. “Doctor Lancaster" he began. *I' see you when | am Myers,” answered Lancaster, “Doctor Lancaster, will you please give me a few moments of your time.” said the man urgently: and nnder peath the plea Joan seemed to see the Insolence and contempt in his heart, Suddenly the idea came to her that this must be the man whom Lancaster bad berated in the consulting room. She went out, and as soon us she was in the passage she heard the at tendant . begin to address Lancaster in excited tones. Then the inner door opened. She fancied there were three men, after all. Somebody wa* speak. ing in high tones; and then Lancas ter's deep, booming voice rang out. the inner before You Gig on Doctor indecision she rose came very to voloe the have ma- And nlone Apparently, Dr, Lancaster has a dual personality. Is his offer genuine? Or is it a trap for the handsome nurse? (TO BE CONTINUED.) Spares Wanted Considerable excitement was caused among the guests at a wedding cere mony in a Havre church recently when the lady refused to marry the bridegroom. Such painful scenes might easily be avolded if the bride groom arranged to keep one or twe Indies In reserve.~Londun Opinion Following Sinking of Big French Liner. By ELEANOR E. KING HE had curred November 0 It into American pan vay home to “Superba” disaster 0c on well The on Niantes, now [revemnber SREnEers ed ‘nit § ¥ the i ¢ the time French he hold proved to the ship Noy mite to England isons w gail on a daughter, Felice She, perhaps in her twenties pre with dark tacle her black curly hair, and her brown wos saving “i to me if Wilmer saved, he has surely had ample eVeR, Seems were “Did you call office in ut the Paris Allison, and the clerk Wilmer Daggett's mall called for in the last American Ex hefore we left? “Yes, informed had month i ne fat have A Fire 0Oroks Out Fatal to the Ship. tried in every way to 1 give up. ‘The fact that his mall is not calles for ought to be sure enough proof he is not in Paris.” “I will never forget.” she began, pofidering over previous happenings. “Wilmer, a8 1 last saw him standing on the deck, his huge frame, calm and serene, silhouetted against the chaos round about him in the huge, brilliant muss of the burning liner, as he helped crazed and fainting women ahd children into the lifeboats, speeding them to safety. 1 couldn't bear to look any longer. When 1 did glance back again, the nose of the flaming «hip was buried far into the ocean. It is queer he should have come into my life so abruptly, and then, only to vanish equally suddenly, It is miraculous the way we were all spared,” and her voice trailed off into silence, One more day and the British liner would land in the New York harbor. The voyage had been a very rough one, and the Allisons had had what little food they ate served In their rooms, Tonight, however, found a enlm after the storm. The Allisons made a herole effort which resulted in the three being present at dinner in the dining room, It being New Yeéur's eve, some of the passengers had planned a little satertninment for those on board, When the programs were given out that evening, Fellce's cheeks first The New Year By Katherine Edelman {(§, 1834, Western Newspaper Union.) € New Year, little child of hope, Emerges from the night, With courage bigh and heart serene, In robes of radiance bright. HAnd to cach one bis coming brings Rew hope and vision, 100, Unwriticn pages 10 be filled, Great things to plan and do. then turned ing the perform have had printing differently, so had to arranged it would not ave hinve i wait so long for this one most important of all the Every one seemed to be his part What would this Wilmer Daggett like? noe ight any Finally, a | glide of the seine of pad IRRing out terribly look id face of the cou locate the one she sue place, rench door over at one room opened to admit Wil Ihagzett. nx his selection the game was an There Dag. couldn't tell which one was singing the louder, Wilmer. In fact, well-balanced duet hadn't stated it, but turned out to be, evidently heen a huge the for they an Fellce wonderful with until had not ced platform old Wilm a8 20 happy she from sto], the or gett, Fellee » she or she conclud ed, It was a program that Is what It It had se with on realized what a been endowed torture! She ne- andience, encore never had now out something shorter? To Ah! At he was platform. last, into his arms, held no Felice and Wilmer. As soon as they were away from the crowd, and Wil mer had recovered from the shock of Felice commenced her siege of questions, “Where have you been? We thought you had gone down with the boat. We could get no trace of you in Parle. Just think: we searched the city and surrounding towns with no avail, How does it happen?” “You see I was hurt a little that night of the disaster,” Wilmer ex. plained; “an English freighter came along the next morning and picked up our boat load. In it was only one other passenger besides myself, and the rest were members of the ship's crew. When we arrived in England, I wis put in a London hospital, wher I stayed for almost three weeks They told me 1 had some broken bones: 1 seemed to feel all right” “That Is just like you, Wilmer" broke forth Felice, protestingly. “1 thought you must have sailed about two or three weeks ago” con- tinued Wilmer, “And there 1 spent those weeks fry. ing to find out whether you were dead or alive” . “Anyway, Felice” Wilmer added, slipping his arm around her. “by some good fortune we were guided to the same boat, and herd we are tonight.” An followed intermission of several riness began to old Hscern a hen the | York muiti wefore long, New skyscr and the wonderful nore ana As they Skyline as It Grew Plainer. into the which our fellow coun men uphold, Felice” wil mer, awestricken_ at the sigig of this old familiar statoe “Think how this sight may ocome our country, ol standards try breathed must impress time, that I never saw that statue before it supreme Isn't it wonder- Felice, here are this time, to start the Year right, In the good old U. 8 AT ® in quite light is we together, 1924, Western Newspaper Union } HE lonely Chatham island, lying a in the South Pacific ocean, may be described as the birthplace of each ne wyear, and the handful of Britishers who inhabit the place are the first to welcome it in, says the Manchester Guardian. Lying nearly on the meridian oppo- gite to that of Greenwich, and some 40 miles cast of New Zealand, this island has been chosen ss the spot where the day begins, the critical meridian which decides the birth of each day, and of each year being ar- bitrarily laid down almost entirely in the waters of the ocean. From Chath. am island the new year wings its way to the tiny Antipodes Isiands and thence to the miinland of New Zeal and and across Australia and Asia to Europe, arriving in the British feles at midnight exactly twelve hours old. “Are you expecting any disorder on New Year's Eve?” “No, sir,” answered Cactus Joe. “In order to preserve the Gulch's reputa- tion ax a peaceable community we have all decided to leave home an’ give Snake Ridge a few lessons In how to make another start in life”
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