MISS ELKINS TO BE A NURSE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9394, 15 March 1909, Page 2

MISS ELKINS TO BE A NURSE.

The end of the romance of beautiful Katherine Elkins and the Duke of the Abruzzini is to be like the final chapter of an old-fashioned novel, in ; which the heroine flees with her memories to convent walls and the hero betakes himself and bis wounded heart to the wilderness of tbe world to seek forgetfulness. The authoritative announcement that there would be no marriage between Miss Elkins and the oonsin of the Italian King was hardly cold when the cable brought from Borne a report that the dnke was planning to be off to the unexplored fastnesses of India. Subsequently despatches have confirmed the report. Ever since Washington has been wondering what the young woman would do, it being assumed that her affections were as deeply wounded as those of her suitor. It is learned that Miss Elkins’ attitude towards society for the next six months at least, and perhaps longer, will be more serious than ever anticipated. She is going to try to forget by giving her time np entirely, to study and a course necessary to fit herself to be an hospital nurse. Arrangements have been made by, Miss Elkins to begin work in the Homoepatbic General Hospital in Washington. She has employed a passed professional nurse to be her mentor in the early stages of the course. This nurse, a woman of high professional attainments, will, is is understood, practically become one of Senator Elkins’ family. The course which Miss Elkins will have to follow, under the rules of hospital training, will include attendance at lectures, clinics, and operations. She will have to spend a certain nmuber of hours each day in the various wards, observing treatment of patients and fitting herself to take temperatures, dress wounds, apply bandages, and perform all tbe duties exacted of a nurse in attendance upon the sick. It is said that Miss Elkins’ tuition will cover only six months, this period having been fixed by her as a time in which she could decide whether she would continue her stadias. Miss Elkina’ friends have been mystified by her of late, and several of them have divined she waspreparing a surprise for them. Those who know Miss Elkins well are sure she has it in her to make an ideal member of the nursing profession, but they do not be lieve she will go to tbe extent of following her present bent longer than six monhs. There are romantic girls in her set who will think she hit upon one thing outside of a convent that is proper.for one who might entered royal circles if cruel tradition had not raised insurmountable carriers.