(To be continual.) TWO YEARS OF A LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2575, 12 January 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

(To be continual.) TWO YEARS OF A LIFE.

[By Bklladonka.]

CHAPTER V.—A Railway Accident. The rlay arrived that Willie was expected at th<; Hamilton's, he was to arrive by the 4 o'clock train that afternoon. Hadiee," said her father as she was putting on her hat in the Hall that morning, previous to going to the hospital, " Will you come to the station with your mother and I to-day, to meet Willie," "No thank you, papa, I don't get off till 5 o'clock to-night." " Can't you leave a little earlier for once," said her father. "Well. I'll see, Papa," she replied, she did not care to go, she preferred to meet him at home, so she left it an open question, "at any rate, if I don't go, Papa, I'll get home as soon as I can," and so it was settled. Hadiee did not quite know how she got through that day, she kept thinking what should she say first to Willie, and wondering if he would be altered and so on, and then 4 o'clock cainc, and she pictured to herself his meeting her father and mother, and asking where she was, all these thoughts flitted through her mind every now and then, but she did not forget her many patients, in the midst of them, far from it she seemed to them more attentive than usual. She lingered a little as she went through her ward ere leaving, speaking a cheery word here and there and shaking a pillow here, and straightening the bed clothes there, reminding one of Lord Byron, when he says : —

Ah ! woman in our hours of ease, So coy, uncertain hard to plense, Ah ! woman in our hours of woe A ministering angel thou.

At last she got to t,ho end of her patients and with a smiling good-uight tripped down the stairs, and putting 011 her hat and ulster started for home. As she walked down the gravel path, she saw several men with (stretchers evidently bearing human burdens just entering the iron gates. "An accident lam afraid" she thought as she waited for them to come up, "there is Dr. Harper too, walking alongside the men." " What is the matter," inquired Hadiee as they came up to her. "Accident to the four o'clock train from Yorkshire," replied the doctor. " Shall I go back" said Hadiee, "I might be of use." " Yes, do," said he, "there are several more on the way so there will be plenty to do inside for tho next hour or two," so she I urned and walked back with her friend. " Are there many injured," inquired Uadioo. "I believe only seven or eight, none killed. I hurried on with these three poor things." They wero at the steps by this time and Hadiee just glancing round saw an elderly lady and young girl, and on the third stretcher a gentleman. She only gave a momentary glance as she hurried past into the hall and took off her ulster and hat again. All thoughts of Willie were completely vanished from her mind. She did not even remember that he was expected by the train that had met with tho accident. Such was her anxiety for tho poor sufferers. She went at once into the accident ward, and began to get lint and bandages and tho other necessary articles ready for use. "That's light, Miss Hamilton,'' said tho house surgeon, approvingly, " I wish a few more of the nurses had their heads 011 their shoulders like you. Now come here and help me with this lady." Hadiee advanced to the bed, and there lay an elderly woman; her clothes were all dusty and torn, and her right arm lying helplessly by her side, and her face a good deal bruised. Sho seemed conscious but bewildered, and looked wonderingly from one to another, while the doctor and Hadiee removed some of her wraps.

" This ono is not badly hurt," said the doctor, briskly, "a broken arm and scratched face will soou be all right.

Now then, Miss Hamilton, help me here." Tho arm was soon set and bandaged up. Then tho doctor wont on to attend to the young girl, whilst Hadiee and the matron got tho lad}' undressed and put to bod. Hitherto she had not apoken, only opened her eye* every now and then, and looked from oue to another, but now

her senses seemed lo bo coming back, for when Hadiee was covering her up, she looked up with a grateful smile and said, thank you, I feel better now. "I'm glad of that," said liadiee, gently, " I trust you will soon be all right again." " Where am I," enquired the lady, looking curiously round at the row of beds. "At Holborn Hospital," replied her nurse. " Yes, - ' I remember now there was an accident to the train. Oh, it was dreadful." and she shuddered at the thoughts of it. "Yes, try not to think of it now," said Hadiee, soothingly, drink this," offering her a cup, and try and sleep. Sho obeyed like a child, and then said, — " I hope that brave man who got mo out was not killed." "There was no one killed, madam," said Hadiee, "so make your mind es ay." " Oh, I am thankful to hoar that." 1 ' Will you send a telegram to my husband, saying I'm here." "Certainly, if you give me his address." "Mr Bentlfciarh, Victoria Road, Yorkshire," dictated the lady, and Hadiee wrote it down, "I'll see to this at once," which sha accordingly did, as sho entered the ward again to see if anything more was required of her, she met Miss Wilson nnd aho exclaimed. " Just looking for you Mtsi Hamilton, to see if you can stay for tho first watch. Three of tho older nurses are away on sick leave, and we have so many bad eases, I don't like to leave them to inexperienced hands. "Oh, of coui'so I'll stay," returnod Hadiee ; " where ami most wanted?" " In one of the single rooms there is a poor follow quite unconscious, and tho doctor says he must not be left all night, so get some tea and then come back here." "Very well," returned Hadiee, "I'll just telephono to mamma, or she'll bo anxious about me." "Oh, that reminds tne; your father is waiting in the hail below. I saw him a few minutes ago." So Hadiee went down stairs thinking her father had come to take her home, as she was so late. " Pappa, doar." she said, as sho entered the room, and going up to him, " I am sorry I am so late, but there has been a dreadful acci " "Yes, yes, I know dear," he said, interrupting her, "that's why I come. How is the poor boy." "I did not know there was a boy hurt," sho answered, " but I'll enquiiv. I've beeu in the women's ward all the lime till imw." " Dou'r. yon kuow that Willie is hurt, perhaps killed," he blurted out. "Ho was in the train and jumped out and iried to pave a lady and some timber fell on him." Hadiee's face blanched at her father's wurds. " N"," she faltered, " I—l forgut lie wa-i eominir to day.'' In the excitement at that moment one "f the hospital doctors entered, and Mr Hamilton at once enquired about Willie. "I expect the person you mean is the one I have just left," said the doctor." He is still unconscious, and will require great care, and Miss Hamilton, turning to Harliee, the Matron tells me you can stay till 12 o'clock to-night, so 1 am going to put him in your charge ; come and get some tea, then I'll go with you to him." "Papa," said lladiee, " don't wait for me. but send Jane. I must go." Her heart was too full to say more, Out she followed the doctor into the dining-room, hardly knowing what she was doing, she was so much agitated at the thought of Willie beine here under the same roof perhaps dying, and he would never be able to speak to her again, or to know how much she loved him. Yes, loved him, it was all out uow, she could not conceal it from herself. It was terrible ; she could not cat any tea—tea and Willie lying upstairs dying. But sho was not given much time for sentiment, as Doctor Morris hurried through his meal scarcely speaking. "Now, Miss Hamilton, if you are ready wt'll go. But bless my heart how ill you look. You are not fit to sit up to-night." "Oh yes I can," sho said eagerly, though she was trembling so she could hardly stand. "I will be better directly." " Well, you must take something to steady your nerves first, here driutc this, and he poured her out a glass of wine, Hadiee obeyed, uow she thought this will never do if I am to be any use, so with a great effort sho quieted herself, and looked almost composed as she went along the corridor after Dr Morris and into one of the small rooms off the ward. Hadiee's heart gave a great throb as she looked at ths bed, and saw lying there a man dreadfully white even through his bronzed skin. Although ho was altered she knew in a moment that, I was Willie. A nurse was sittiug beside him aud rose at their entrance. " Has he moved yet," said the dont,'>r taking up Willie's hand and foeling his pulse. "No," she replied, "he has never stirred since I came in. "Well, you can go now, here is Miss Hamilton to relieve you," then he gave Hadiee the necessary directions what to do, I will come in again at 12 o'clock, if you require any help, or see a change for the worse just touch the bell and I'll come. He has been stunned by a blow, but I expect will come round, his pulse is strong. Hadiee could have kissed the kind old doctor for those last comforting words. " Now," ho added " I think I can safely leave you to attend to my directions." " Yes, Dr. Morris, you can depend on me following your instructions," sho answered quietly, she was thoroughly composed now, and as soon as the doctor went out set to work in her own practical way to follow his instructions and got everything in readiness that might be required. She moved softly about the room, putting coal on the fire and heating beef tea iu case her patient should want something. When she had done all this, and not till then, did she trust herself to go to the bedside and bend over Willie, he had not moved, but his breathing seemed easier, his head was bandaged up, for ho had a severe cut over his eye, the doctor had told Hadiee. As she bent over him he stirred a little and "aid, "Water." Hadiee gave him a few spoonsful. After a bit he moved again, and put his hand to his head, said, " What is this," touching the bandage. " You hurt your brad," s):e r"t)lied, "and the doctor bound it up." "Ah, it feels sore," ho said Then about an hour after he seemed to gain consciou«uess again and spoko. Aaking for a drin!:, liadiee gave him one, and ho opened his eyes and luolcod at her aud said. " Whnro am I, and what's tho matter with me." "You are in tho hospital, you hail an accident," she returned gently; looking at him she saw he did not kuow her. " Who are you ?" was the next question. "lam your nurse," she said, soothingly, "and you must not talk. I'll give you a little beef tea ; then try aud sleep" After he had taken it he lay perfectly quiet, and appeared to Hadiee to he asleep. One hand was lying on tho bod. She stooped and kissed it with her lips and murmured " poor fellow," He made a blight movement, aud

Hadiee started and blushed scarlet, ns if sho had been detected in a crime, but her patient snid nothing, so she f*lt sure ho was nut aware of what she had done. Nothing more happened until 12 o'clock, when the doctor and a frosh nurso came in, and enquired hew die had got on. Hadice briefly told him. " Yes, I see he is better, much bettor," ho continued, " and so are you, Miss ITamilton. You don't look so pale as you did several hours ago." Hadice smiled and blushed a little again at tho remembraneo of what had taken the paleness out of her cheeks." " I aiu much better thank you. I could sit up all night, I feel so fresh," sho returned. "No, go home my dour girl and get to bod. Your maid is waiting below for you." So bidding him good-night sho went down stairs and found Jane waiting for her. When Hadice got home her father and mother were sittiug up for her, and had supper on tho table. "You must be tired, my love," said her mother, anxiously.

" No, mamma. I (lon't feci a bit tired now, but I am hungry, iind I daresay I shall soon go to sleep when I get to bed.'' "How is Willie getting on," inquired her father. "He's better, papa, and spoke to me soveral times." '' Did he know you ? " " No, papa," he asked who I was, and I told him a nurse. I did not tell him who I was, as he was ordered not to talk. Hadiee would have been a little surprised if she had heard what was taking place at the Hospital then between Willio and his nurse, a talkative woman, but very kind. Willio got wideawake, and began to ask all sorts of questions, and the nurse was glad to answer them to while away the long hours. He wanted to know who was the nurse that had been with him previously. Mi3s Hamilton he was told. "Was she Mr George Hamilton's only daughter ?" " Yes, and she had given up all her pleasures to come into the Hospital, and thev were all so fond of her, and did she come everyday ?" "Yes, she was a day nurse, but had stayed that night on account of the railway accident." Willie had recognised Hadiee, but did not let her know that he had so for fear she might leave him, and when he lay so quiet and felt her kiss his hand, ho could hardly keep still, but he knew if she had thought him to be awake she would not have done it. so he feigned sleep till be heard the doctor come in and call her Miss Hamilton ; then he was quite sure who it was, and determined to ask the nurse that was left, all about her, the first opportunity." "The next morning Hadiee was up betimes, she was so anxious to see Willie again, and know how he was getting on."

"Willie is better," said her father, as she cams into the breakfast room. "I was anxious, so I seat James up to the hospital to see. " I am so glad papa, and now I have not heard how the accident happened." " Well, your mother and I were standing on the platform watching the train coming in, and just as it got to the bridge, the engine ran off the line, taking several carriages with it, which seemed to have come uncoupled, for the other carriages ran along or. the line past the station, but soon catne to a standstill, and the passengers came trooping out." " Willie was amoug them, and we recognised each other at once, and I went on with him to the fallen carriages," "How the occupants all escaped instant death is marvellous, the people from tho debris and Willie ran to help them, and worked bravely, and it was just as he was assisting at the wreck, that a piece of the broken carriage fell on his head, and I thought that the poor lad was killed, he was taken up unconscious. I then went back to your mother, and she was so upset that I had to take her home, then I went on to the hospital to learn how be was. I telegraphed the news to his father, and he will probably be here today." When Hadiee got to the Hospital she found Willie really better, but his face •was so swoollen with the bruises that he could not see out of his eyes. She was given charge of him, so when she went in to the room she spoke a few words to him, not knowing he was aware of her identity. '■ You are the nurse that was here last night, are you not," he asked. " Yes," she replied, " I was here the first watch."

" Don't you know me, Hadiee," he said," putting out his hands, "or am I so battered about that I am unrecognisable," said the poor fellow, vainly trying to open his eyes. Hadiee started, but took his hand in her two little soft ones, and said, "I knew you the moment I saw you, Willie, but however did you know me ?"

" T knew your voice last night, and I asked afterwards if you were Miss Hamilton. It is like old times, Hadiee, to hear you speak, but I do long to see you," he added. "So you will soon, I hope," she said gently, "lam so sorry to see you so hurt, but we'll soon get you well now." " I ought to," he said, "when I have such a good nurse." She had retained his hand all this time. Hadiee blushed a little, and thought I am glad he does not sec my face now, or I am afraid he would guess my feelings. "Now," she said quietly, withdrawing her hand, "it is time to take your medecinc."

Then he began to talk to her again, but she stopped him with a — " No Willie, no more talking now it is against orders for you t<» talk. When you are better I'll let you talk as much as you like." " What am I to do then," he said a little forlornly. " I musn't talk, and I can't see to read, and I'm sure I can't go to sleep." "I'll read to you a little if you like," she said laughing, " then I have some other sick people to see and I'll come back and give you your dinner." So she sat down aud read a few chapters from a book she had and very soon she found that the patient who vowed he wasn't sleepy, was fast asleep. In the afternoon Mrs Hamilton and Mr Morris came to the hospital to see "Willie. Mr Morris had arrived from Yorkshire that morning and was relieved when he got to the Hamilton's to hear that his son was better, but what seemed to distress hira mo.-t was that his son should be lying at a, common hospital. "We must yet you out of this as soon as possible Willie," said the old gentleman.

" He will not be fit to be moved for a week yet, I think," saidHadiee. "I'm all right, father," said Willie. "I am as comfortable as I can be under the circumstances, and I am fortunate in having an old friend as nurse." "Yes, indeed, you are my boy. How a nice girl like you Miss Hamilton can like to spend your days in such a place is beyond my comprehension, the whole place smells of medicines and bandages and poultices. Mrs Hamilton and Hadiee laughed.

" I have got used to that now,'' said the latter, '' and my greatest ploasure is coming hero each day." " You are easily pleased then," my dear young lady, " but I wish I could get Willie out of here as soon as he can be moved."

"Lot him come to us," said Mrs Hamilton. " we shall ba delighted to have him, you can't expect him to travel home for a month v«t."

"Oh ! thank yon," how will that do you, my boy. " I shall be only too pleased, dear Mrs Hamilton," and so it was settled, and Mr Morris was pleased that it was so. He was a frightfully fumy old man, and though he was very fond of his son he did not liko trouble, lie only cared for books and reading, and did not want to bo disturbed with an invalid in the house.

When the time came for Hadiee's departure that night, she said «ood-byu to Willie, and hoped he would have a good night.

"It ia all night, to mo," he Haiti, "I shall count the hours though till my kind nurse comes again. Somo day I hope I will he able to repay you.

"I am only doing what I would do for any siclc person," she replied ; "so there can be no question of repaying me."

(To be continued.)