Show l 0 1 i HELENS HELEN'S REAL AMBITION i II What a perfect morning Helen Marlowe could not repress the exclamation as she tripped along the snow-covered snow walk The I frost jewels were sparkling upon trees and fences and little rainbows danced in the vapor of her breath for it was early and the sun had hadnot not yet modified the crisp coldness of the air The happy face framed in a pink woollen scarf was as bright and j fresh as the morning and the laborers whom she met looked at her a second time their own faces unconsciously brightening at the sight After walking several blocks she rang the bell at the door of a modest cottage and without waiting for an answer entered calling II Hello Nett where are you Is that you Lenn Lennie e Come in here to the fire What are you doing out so early answered a voice from an adjacent room and Helen entered You seem to he be at work even if it is early Nett she said finding finding finding find find- ing her friend seated at a table before heaps of penciled papers inkstands inkstands inkstands ink ink- stands and books 1 I can write better early in the morning But youve you've something to tell me dear I can see it sparkling from your eyes i Ive I've gone and done it Nett cried Helen dropping into a chair beside the table and throwing back her collar You have how have how when and where where where-do do tell me quick Netties Nettie's face had li lighted up with the keenest interest and she brushed her papers aside with an impatient gesture In the first place I called at the hospital and told someone in charge that I wanted to study nursing there and after taking my name and aad address he gave me a pile of blank forms to fill out saying that when I had done so my application would be duly considered I saw at a glance that I had a weeks week's job on hand so I got to York work at once II I had to give my genealogy for a few generations or so my age P disposition habits and a dozen such things Then I had to get a notary to swear I had made a clean breast of everything my minister must certify that I had a most heavenly character and last but not least some man of medicine must sign a statement to the effect that I Iam Iam am not never have been and never will be sick or diseased in my life Nettie laughed as Helen paused for breath II Could you pass muster dear Did you get all the signatures you needed II Oh Oh yes Bishop attended to my character and Dr McCrystal was only too pleased Miss Marlowe to give me his autograph Hes He's the young doctor whose fine horse and buggy helped 1 so much to preserve my health of evenings last summer you know kno II Yes I know if I remember rightly the doctor helped to guide guider r the horse during those healthful excursions E II A A remarkable memory yours Well I took my papers back to tolf lf the head nurse and they made such a fine showing that she nearly Y fell on my neck in transports at having stumbled upon such an p f angel t A And n d you are going going- II r f To liTo starch my apron and cap and enter the profession n next week What do you think about it anyway Nett r Think why I think it will be fine fine especially especially if you have some some interesting patients who are duly alive to the charms of their nurse V i an and and- d- d II There that's enough enough Ive Ive I've heard all that before B But t II and t. t I Helen gave a speculative tw twist st to to- her brows it would be quite in order wouldn't it it-a it a careful nurse a grateful patient of the gentlemanly gentlemanly gentlemanly gentle gentle- manly gender of course convalescence on the balcony and and and- II Precisely and you must keep a diary for me recording eVerything everything everything every eVery- thing word for word Theres There's no telling but I may immortalize us both yet II a fact my dear You shall have all the data I can coIf collect collect col col- r f lect and meanwhile get your other stories out of the way Surely youre you're not going exclaimed Nettie as Helen adjusted her furs and arose Yes I must Nett Ive I've some shopping to do The next time you see me Ill I'll probably be a real professional and if you or any of I your friends should have occasion to be carved to pieces just come cometo cometo to the hospital and Ill I'll promise to tie you together again in the new- new knot Good by Long live the latest Lady Carver By by When the gate clicked and the pink scarf disappeared Nettie or returned turned to to h her r writing She is the dearest jolliest girl giri in the he world she mused with a smile Shell She'll make mak a charming nurse nurse and her nursing will charm some unwary invalid or Im I'm no prophet |