Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Copyright, 1915. by American Praaa A a so ciation. "JPT^T HE bead nurse, thinking sbe I J. heard Rome 8 H/i ^ 1 sobbing. paused I wi L\BJ; abruptly In tbe JK \ snowy patb In Ej^'M tfonf of the In L^J tlrmary. I) a r kiEr H t W a roifriwl ?y. cept for the twin\ ^HllR "K^ts A.\ T bathrooms of the low, ojien bulldIiil'h whlchjcomstltuted the Clearfield sanitarium^) / C She listened. yfhe smind seemed to <-ome from the children's shack, and idle turned her^steps hurriedly in that direc tion. < "Some poor^iomeslckV'kitjtiie/' she thought. ,\Vnd/(^irlstinas eve, too!" She opened^the door and then went In softly between the two rows of little white beds. She could distinguish lu the dimly starlit gloohi the children's Christmas tree in one corner laden with all the gifts they had received from home. Everything seemed in order. It was after 0. and the children /were asleep. As she reached the other end of the tiny ward, however, she came to an empty bed. "It's Ann Wetlierly's bed," she murmured. "I wonder if she's sick." She smoothed the tumbled bedclotlilug and hastened out Into the hall which led to the other rooms. At the dressing room door she paused. It was slightly ajar, but she heard n^ sound, She pushed It open softly. There, huddled on the only chair in the room, directly under the brilliant light, was a little heaving figure, her face buried in her hands, a blanket half coveting her worn nightgown. "Ann?" Miss Morgan spoke her nntne gently. The child started and raised wide solemn eyea set in a flushed and tear stained face.yv^then quickly turnpd away. * The glimpse she_caught of the sorrowful face touched^the instinctive mother heart of the head nurse^>^> "Youpopr little Ann!" she exclaimed softlyjTaml. dropping ou theSi^or be? sldeVThe/chair. she drew the .quivering ArThls unlooked for^Jtenderness the ^lld> sebe broke fnrtit^aj^niti. Miss ' Morgan did not^ apeak, /but wrapped the blanket carefully around the little figure, / and tears of aytqpatby^for the o lonely orphan filled her eyes.^ ? The new nurae whom she nJ w liad been forced to ^reprimand sternly that day for carelessness and neglect Would have been amazed to see the "dignified head nurse" sitting on the floor with a child clasped In her arm*, her cap awry and her soft hair mln wiiu ADD 8 langien DIHCK IWUB. People seldom saw her professional dignity unbend as much as this. Only Dr. Gray, the young resident physician who was eagerly working and learning and waiting for the day when he could make a home for the "dearest girt In the world," would not have been astonished at the picture. Gradually the child's sobbing ceased --i wmrntammrn mm ismicsi "Ann." Miss Morgan coaxad.-J'alt dear, and tell me what you're erj'lng about" I f " ? Ann made no reply. I "And on Christ man ?ve too!" The little figure stiffened and looked up with Indignant eyes. | "It ain't Christmas eve |for me!" sbe burst out in shrill chil'dlsh pain. The head nurs^ wasj bewildered "Why. It's Christmas| eve for every; body! And there's your pretty tree In the ward!" | [ k s?t% "It ain't my tree.',' fiercely.*^/'u ml there ain't?one?single thing-on it? for me!" Ann's words came1 bet ween sobs. | | f] "Well." Miss Morgan consoled her, "nlnybe Santa Claus hasn't put your gifts 011 yet." 1 j *'Ilut Santy Claus Is (Jest yer folks? and mine?never?sent even aboard!",' Miss Morgan rocked|back and forth as though hushing a baby] "They may send something tomorrow," she ventured, resolving that at least tomorrow would | find something on the tree liearing Ann's name. "No. they won't. I wouldn't mind so much only?everybody else is gettin' things?and?and?I don't want 'em to think my brothers don't eare/j^^*' "Of course they care," the head nurse tried to comfort her. "I wanted to semi them n lot o' things." the child continued drearily, "but 'course I couldn't. So I sent each o' the boys a 'two for five' postcard. The man had some beau-tlful ones for 5 cents"?her face lighted up at the remembrance?"but I only had 10 cents, and that ^vvouldu't 'a' left any for stamps." Miss Morgan smiled ympathetically It had not been man^years since postcards and plenty/of stamps had been a luxury^to^er.JX^i^^^T^ "Are youi^brothersiiT'trouble?" she asked abVupt'ly. noticing a crumpled letter in thVyehild's^band. l y *ttum>m> w.Sx|i e Q <A^ began* sobbing again despalrings so /j'u nice here," slie wailed; "soluiuch nicer'n it'll lie where I^gof to go/'js ? ^'Where^liave you got to goV^questloned Miss Morgan wonderingly. "Won't yotf live with your brothers*/" "Oh. no; 1 can't stay there! George's folks have got lap many children, and Sam's wife is I'fraid o' me 'cause i cough?and?anil"?she hesitated aiul burled her face in her hands, revealing the climax in a^ muffled voice-, "they're goln'i to send mejto a home? a HOME!" J | 8he paused a mom^dythen^contlnued passionately, "And I'd^woric for "en??r^.8crub | or takecareif babies 0?<anythlngj-lf[ they'/only wouldn't sen^ me^ there!'.' The die ad nurse drew Ahn closer and smoothed 4k^r J tumbled hair silently, CGiiifoiiingiy, ui: i! she became qulei. ' nn was no't u child to be comforted by the promise of a new toy. H?r large dark eye?--l?? solemu by far for her years?seemed to say to the world that she had been robbed of her childIsh rights, "and this little bit of "lovbjg'->from the head nurse was the one thing of all things that she' most needed. Exhausted by^so' much sobbing, hJip -tTestled down wearily under the soothing touc-rf, anijher lids began to droop.^' ^Come, dear," Miss Morgan said presently, half raising the child: "you-must co to bed now and get rested. Tomorrow rn^come over to see you As sbepassed through the hall, tak III? Ann back to the ward, she encountered ihe night nurse and Dr. Gray and asked them to wait a moment. She tucked Ann In anugly with a whispered "Good night, dear." and atralghtened her cap a* ahe hurried^tback into the hall. c/J, "$5$^ "Will any atorea In ,the vrtlage^be i C^hrKin^s $torj ? Hiabel \ Gertruie Ho < lf~ W, ?du now 7** he 'VMfii'^lnvoivcd tbe,M^rtfic? of she t>e- iMi^Wlstwd for set of'furs. Y^yRjuUk^iin~^. impnisivi'ly (Jdie would pay<Cnii'8 board hersc Miss Ford 0*'o wyekffloiiK^r. she had decide . a h s H r e Byl li e r. nd bring nJl-tfTe sunshine she eou "Woydworiii >t K^jnK t?^be/6pen all n'o tlie^cldld's life. She could day.;* )j\ \ f <\ Mst give her the memory of two ha ^'^h.ythat s^BJort/X^Xeaii^have the !> weeks, and in the meantime si uri^er/oring i^u?? wnai "i Nvan^ on the JV?u'd try t<> teach her that real ha early luormiig trip."|inesa lies more with ourselves tlu I)r. Gray ami .\Iissyl'orilMooKel at fadth the things around us?a least her inquiringly. ' Which ex|H>rience had taught her. "I want to tell you/about Ann,' she The next morning ?a sparkltr went on. And she'tohl them all about Christmas morning?while the chlldrt the letter and the'child's troubles from {were all at breakfast, the head nun beginning to end. tomornw," Went to the otHee for the things si she concluded. "I want, hi'r a to. lavehad ordered earlier and hurried to tl just the happiest day^'\ children's shack, where Miss Kord wi "Yes, indeed!" echoed Mier^Usteters, already busy fastening slips of pnp< both a trifle unsteadily.with Ami's name on to the various a "I'll bring something," Miss ?'ord tlcles in her lap. ? volunteered, "and I knowWhe ther l^lerrv Christmasj^^ried the nlgl nurses would love to give/her eme- lurse-t^N^ee all of Ann's gifts!^ Tl thing If they only knew." aurses^veiv^iM^anxlous to send sum "Yes, they would," agreed Sliss lor- thlng'?^---^&"'">-~^r^ gau. "We can come over whilethe They hadMrnlewlbeen generou children * are at breakfast and put There were I>ooks, handkerchiefs, ril tl|ingH on the tree." ijons, candy, a pretty knitted cap an I)r. Gray pulle<l a dollar bill oia several cards of greeting. When Ml? his thin purse?thin partly from hire- Morgan's package was opened, hov cent Christmas shopping and pitly, eter, came the crowning glory?a beai as he sometimes said laughingly, ion tlful blue eyed doll dressed In whll "force of habit." ?nd some warm red slippers with fv "Here, give this to the j'oungstt to around the tops^?TheyVarraiiged th buy postage stamps with." His ne gifts on the free, workingTuntll th was gruff, but in spite of the grufftsa sounds of merry voices sentAthei there was n tender light In his Ud. scurrying oiP Into the hs?ll'^5svthe chl dark eyes. "It's bedtime now,' be dren came In^the front/way. Tlie'cot added, "and If you^fe ready I'll vlk aplrators wan ted/to sea, but notXh over with you." ^ ' j) Miss Kord was'settled comfortdjr The si until time toj/make the 12 o'cik perlntenf rounds, and tlli^Minrlo Hor ennH nKl * k v . and went out Into the frosty^alrtVJk- if t j\/. en th<> chl Ing as they walked along of Anii7~V dren p&i "Poor child! She ought ^to^""iy mlRslon (t here!" declnre<l I?r. t.ray. "She wdd stay Ir t>e practically well In a few month' ^ doori ji Later Miss Morgan's mind was ftd ^?\' ' 1 with this thought, and as she y Wjh VHk"\ awake Ann's sad eyes seemed sttlll* V fore her. "If I could only help t. the poor little kiddle!" she murmul. (tL' /ft* s r V fk "She thinks no one loves her, anl don't believe her brothers are w 7V , ) kind. She's such a dear, too.,*vltb* ] ? weet old fashioned ways.">0 Vju 8he turned restlessly back anJroi \l ^ wishing she were rich or fairy <- yS Suddenly she sat upright, exclaims 11 ^ aloud to the darkness, "I can do t| ' T , much, and I will!" and dropped to > , pillow with a satisfied sigh, altboe ^ / "1 i : MM K 'V ttbrlstnias morning, and they came lit with n ruah of happy anticipation, i i flocking around their tree and loving- I ly fingering the treasures. The two watchers noticed Ann s som- I j her face as /die went slowly to her i bed and began spreading It up. These li Joys wort* not fni' >"?- v~ ' ..^V .ua, uctt iiv UIll! NUI1C ij things to her. She was going to a j home in 'a few days. 1 There jwas|'u commotion around ttie | Christmas tree. | I "Oh." | a shrill . little voice cried. ( "where did [thatj [beautiful <loll come from? It wasn't |here before!" i They all gathered (ironml while she held it up. | | | | I "Why.| It's^fnf 1 Ann | Wetherly!" she . ! *' I | exelaimed. look| r < - .1 j1 in'g at ^the/Tslip j \o, i ! > i pinned vto^/the I ... I I I doll's sleeve, she 1 1 I i /'->/ 8 . i ran over to Ann 5 /-=* i \ \ ai"' " ont. I s-^-1 I i "Take it quick, r I I I 1 Ann!" she cried I a ta" xtij ft im wif,.iiin I Ann (iriip|H'(l the blanket she was Je holding and stared incredulously. "For *?- me'/" jJP^T "Yes; see,yojir name? plain as day!" )n Ann's: Aahandtfncd faith in Santa Claus began to return. She held out her nrtnsjfor the doll. *n "OliXthefdear, beautiful dolly!" she Z oooed.Xji/i The two In tlie hall looked at each 10 other n,ntl tfmlled happily. They watehls etlj^the-^children as they crowded ?r aroumt the trees, examining the gifts r" and runniugfback to Ann with each new treasure^that l>ore her name. Ann sat on the bedNhler dark eyes shone. M> and she gazedVwith delighted amazoe" ment at each -offering.%? "How little it takes, tft make a child ^ haf>py!" Miss Kord murmured softly as she turned away. "I must go off to bed now." She went out. and Miss ,8 Morgan turned to the medicine closet. V She had put it to rights and was Jotting down a list of things nee<1e<l e when I>r. CJ-ay burst in, his face ir ,. . . __ ci 11 .......... , ^ , "Oh. Gertrnae," /ho erledN boyishly. ^ "It's come!" , "Sh!" Miss Morgan pointed a warn- i | Ing finger toward the ward, b'utj the ^ children were] making too much noise themselves^to heed anything else/--^ Dr. Grfiy pulled a letteiAout of his ( pock et./f N j - 'I^got this letter from the ls>ard this I morning. Dr. Williams has resigned. au<l they've offered me the position of o superintendent -a hundred a month to I "What a 1 ??>itntIftil Christmas ^.ift'" she breathed softjy. smllhm at his conUdent "us." ? o r^* "The.v want me t<> hepln the first of [hp year. The superintendent's c<?ttajje will lie vacant then. 1><? j<ni suppose?would it he t<>n soon"? Miss Morgan's nilial tlew hack over tlie two lont; years tliey hail waited. "I'll he ready." she murmured hup uJ^'l pity. "It's such u near little mtutw!'' He cau^e/closer wltl^utotretiltvl arms, but/ stopped abruptly as she liointedTagain to the halffonou door. "llang/it^all!" he muttered A^I wish you weren't the head muse! >^2 "We might go for a sleigh ride this afternoon," she -suggested demurely. "Now, come on and peep in at Ann. She's so happy." They went over to the door and looked in. Ann sat on the edge of her bed caressing the "dear, beautiful dolly." The two gazed at her silently: then suddenly Gertrude Morgan raised her eyes to the face l?eside I'*'1'V "Oh, Ilerbert.^do^youv| think? could I ?r. Gray squared/Ttl^Khroad shoulders. Her meaning canio.Tn a Hash. "Yes. we can, and weyvill if you want to. Of course"?heXliesltnted? "maybe we couldn't lnivtMso many other things if we had her"? "No. but we'll have love, and it would be too bad not to give that little starved soul a share of it."-T "Ann," Miss Morgan questioned abruptly, "how would yon like to livfe with us for awhile?" Ann looked from one to the other dazedly. "Live with you! Where? Oh, you're Jokln'!" she said slowly "No; she means it." interjected T>t. Gray. "We're going to live iu th& superintendent's cottage." "Oh. I see!" the child nodded wisely. "You two are coin* .r?? .. - IN" iuaiunfc But nobody wants- me?not even"? Miss Morgan lntern:j?ted lier bitterness. "Yes. we do waut you," drawing tbe child to her, "and you're going to live with us, andiwheujpu get w. 11 enough you can go To school A change ca me/over An:. Flinging her arms around.JV^ts* gan, she breached; jf* ^ "What a ^wonderful, wouderfi. day! Am. to think that yesterday?1 though!