Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 138: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

292 the head nurse, who had been standing there ever since his entrance. He turned an appealing glance to her and found voice. “ Miss, is he bad hurt? Will he—will he?” He couldn’t lift his courage up to complete the sentence. She smiled a little, then in a calm, reas- suring voice, she answered: “ Don’t worry. He’s gotten a nasty blow on the head, but there’s no immediate danger unless com- plications set in. In fact, the doctor who has just left does not even believe his skull is fractured.” The relief in Zeb’s face at her words made her turn quickly and leave the room. In the hallway, she met Miss Annie hurry- ing back. There was a suspicion of tears in her eyes, a huskiness in the older wom- an’s voice, as she said to the other: “I’ve seen many a sight since I came here, but never anything like those two. Why, Damon and Pythias, David and Jonathan were mere acquaintances. Talk about the love a woman has for a man, it’s mere af- fection compared to the love of two men.” Miss Annie was surprised at the outburst. Birth and death, agony and suffering, all the human woes and pains that are a part of the every day work in a hospital left the head nurse, quiet and sympathetic, deft and assured. But this concern one man had for another was a new experience, and she was touched deeply by it. Miss Annie entered the room. Zeb arose - from the chair where he had sat gazing into Jim’s face, as though by the very in- tensity of his stare he might absorb Jim’s troubles. “ Miss Annie! Oh, I’m so glad to know you are still here and will look out for Jim.” : “Why, Mr. White, I look out for any one here who needs attention. That’s my work.” “T know that,” said Zeb quickly. “ But { want you to be extra solicitous now. If - there is anything he needs, anything he wants, get it for him. I’ve got the money and I’d spend the last cent on Jim Brown, because—well, I can’t just explain—be- cause Jim’s my friend.” 3 ~ “T know, I know,” she answered. “ Well, don’t worry. He'll receive the best atten- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. tion possible. You remember,” she added, “TI, too, know Jim Brown, and I, too, like him.” = Zeb grabbed her hand. ‘“ God bless you, little lady. I’m trusting you to do the best you can.” She replied gently: “ All right. you run along and let him be quiet.” “When can I see him?” “Not for a day or two.” “But I must see him. I can’t wait a day or two. He might want me.” “He'll sleep a couple of hours now till the hypodermic we gave him wears off. Per- haps if you happen to be here then, you might see him. You are not supposed to, but—” Placing her finger to her lips, she turned toward the door, beckoning Zeb to follow. Once out in the hall, Zeb pulled out his watch. Whew! Just half an hour till Six- teen left and he and his bride were due to go out on it. He had forgotten all about Itchy-Witchy absorbed as he was in Jim’s state. Now it came back to him in arush, She was waiting at the hotel, wait- ing for him to return, anxious, worried probably, at his long absence. He caught the street car on the corner and nervously bit his lips at each stop it made on its seeming endlé$s- trip on the few miles from the hospital to the depot. Once up in the room, he found her crying. “Oh, Zeb, where have you been? I’m worried sick. I imagined all sorts of things happening to you.” With his arms around her, he comforted her and told her of Jim’s misfortune. When he had finished, she replied: ‘‘ Zeb, Vt tell you what I'll do. Ill go home on Sixteen. You stay here over the day till you know how Jim’s going fo come along. See the superintendent about the run you spoke of and get everything straightened out. Ill be waiting for you.” To Zeb’s reluctant consent, she added: “No, it’s all right.” She smiled bravely. “If I’m going to be a railroad man’s wife, I might as well get used to waiting, for I foresee I will have a lot of it to do.” Zeb carried their suit cases down and with a sinking feeling in his heart, saw Sixteen pull out. He hated to see her go, / 7 - Now i? Yeo <> - ee S ee