Page 15 - Contrast1958Winterv3n1

"I wouldn't say that, Mrs. Staplin. I have just happened to be-
come very fond of a little girl!"

The supervisor smiled and with a pat on Julie's shoulder left
her to her work. It was almost like going into another world when
she entered the gloomy room after standing in the bright lights of
the hallway. She glanced at the still figure and started over to the
chair. Suddenly she stopped abruptly and retraced her steps back to
the bed. She looked again at the child, so pitifully small on the im-
mense hospital bed. There was no optical illusion; Catherine had
turned as white as a sheet. Quickly Julie felt her pulse. There was
none. Another look at her patient was enough to tell Julie that some-
thing was drastically wrong. After ringing the emergency buzzer she
pulled the covers back and felt for the little child's heart. Again,
there was no response . . . no measured beat.

Dr. Wilson and Mrs. Staplin arrived almost simultaneously. After
a brief but thorough check the doctor looked up. There was no mis-
taking the answer that was clearly written on his face ... Catherine
was dead.

Mrs. Staplin looked down the hall, not quite sure if she were
seeing things. Yes it was Julie, dressed in her regular clothes, who
was approaching.

"Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving. I'd like my papers now, if you please."
"But I thought you said you'd changed your inind. What hap-

pened?"
"Mrs. Staplin, I thought you understood. My only reason for

staying died yesterday."
Completely dumbfounded, the old nurse silently reached in the

drawer and handed Julie the discharge papers which she tucked into

her purse.
She took an almost reluctant look around her before stepping

out of the hospital through the wide glass doors. It was snowing hard.
The biting wind and the driving snow were the only witnesses to the

fact that Julie was crying.