Palo Alto High School - Madrono Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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person who can do anything with Lieutenant Crane. This is the worst attack he has had. and Doctor Raymond says that a few more like this will leave him insane.” Marian nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I am glad to do anything I can.” For two hours Marian struggled with him, but it seemed a useless task. He answered questions politely enough and even ventured a few remarks, but then he again sank back into his lethargy. Finally Mar ian saw that he could sleep and morning might bring a solution for the problem. As she straightened up the somewhat awry bed. a little piece of paper slipped from the pillow and fell on the floor. She picked it up and mechanically out it in her pocket. Again the door of her own room closed behind her, and she sank into the nearest chair. Searching for her handkerchief, she felt the piece of paper and drew it out. It was lorn from a newspaper article an- nouncing the marriage of Miss Gene Carson to Mr. Alfred Parkhurst. The young couple were to make their home in New York City immedi- ately after the marriage. Marian, duliy tired, saw nothing remarkable in this until she re- membered where she had picked it up. Could it be that a girl, as well as the loss of an arm and a leg, was at the bottom of Lieutenant Crane’s trouble? Impulsively, Marian determined to discover if something could not be done. Tiredness vanished, and she sat down at the small table to write a letter to Mrs. Alfred Parkhurst. Two days passed and Marian waited anxiously for an answer. Doubts and fears assailed her from all sides. Would Mrs. Parkhurst consider her interference an impertinence? Would she throw the letter aside, or would she follow Marian's suggestion? On the night of the second day her reply came at last. Mrs. Park- hurst was very sorry, but Miss Alden must have gotten the wrong name. She did not know Lieutenant Crane, but perhaps Miss Alden confused her former name with that of Miss Jean Carson of 2815 Fifth street, a friend whose name was often confused with hers. Marian was discouraged, but she grimly determined to go on with her plan now that she had begun it. Another letter was written, and this time it was addressed to 2815 Fifth street. The answer was quick in coming, for Marian was summoned to the 16

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The War Story , I've never been so tired before. Today lias been le hardest and longest one yet. Thank goodness, it’s ver.” With a sigh of relief, Marian Alden threw herself nto the soft conch piled with gay pillows. Her room as a small one, but all hers. She often thought that {if she did not have this quiet, cheerful little place to come to, life at times would become unbearable. This room was only one of many in the big United States reconstruction hospital in New Jersey, and Marian Alden was one of the best workers in this branch of the service. Here soldiers who had lost arms and legs were taught new trades. Blind soldiers learned to do without eyes, and those whose minds were a complete blank were slowly and steadily coaxed back to normal. It was a wonderful work—this of being able to help these crippled heroes, and Marian loved it. All day she had been working on the shell shock cases trying to bring back the memories of those who had forgotten. It was tedious work and so discouraging. Marian lay on the couch half asleep thinking over the day’s work. Triumphantly site recalled her great achievement. One soldier had remembered his name through her persistent efforts and he. at last, was started on the home stretch. Her meditations were interrupted by a brisk knock and one of the younger nurses entered. Miss Alden. can you come right away? Lieutenant Crane has had another of his attacks and it is impossible to do anything with him. Marian groaned inwardly. She had been called before, and it might he all night before she could return to her room. Lieutenant Crane had lost his right arm and leg at Ghateau-Thicrry. His loss had made him keenK sensitive and he was subject to (its of melancholy. These attacks sometimes took a violent turn and only careful watching kept him from attempts to end his life. It seemed impossible to get him interested in anything. All day he lay, grave and brooding, and at times the doctors feared that his mind would go. Marian entered the room and went toward the white-faced patient lying on the bed. One of the two nurses standing by him came quietly over to her. I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Alden, but you seem to be the only ’5

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receiving room the following day. As she entered a young girl came forward. “You are Miss Alden? Richard is here? Is he badly hurt? When can I see him?” The words fairly tumbled out of her mouth. “I beg your pardon, but J have been so worried that when 1 got your letter I dashed off without thinking.' T am so glad you have come, said Marian, smiling. “I want to talk to you about Lieutenant Crane, lie is in a bad way, 1 am afraid, and something must be done immediately. You probably know that he is badly crippled----- “Crippled! 1 haven't heard from him for months and months. I thought he just didn’t—didn't care any more. If I had only known! The young girl's voice bioke and tears came to her eyes. “It isn’t too late now, but you will have to be extremely tactful. He is very sensitive. Come upstairs and I'll have Lieutenant Crane brought up. My room is the only really private place in the whole building.” Saying this. Marian led her guest up the wide stairs and down the corridor to her room. “What a pretty room. It doesn’t look a bit like a hospital.” “It certainly doesn’t, laughed Marian. “I furnished it myself. It helps me keep happy and cheerful when the days are blackest. Now you wait here while I pilot Lieutenant Crane this way. Marian went out into the hall and then stopped a moment. Things had happened so quickly that she was rather bewildered. Then she straightened her shoulders and murmured. It is my one last hope. If this doesn’t work, I’m afraid Lieutenant Crane is a hopeless case. Lieutenant Crane was duly surprised to find himself being rolled down the corridor, but nothing mattered particularly to him now, and he paid no attention. The wheeled chair stopped in front of Marian's door a minute and then it was pushed inside. Jeati rose to her feet and flew to the side of the chair. “Jean!” “Richard!” Marian carefully closed the door. Her plan had worked. She made her way clown to the men waiting at the weaving loom. An hour later Marian knocked at her door and entered. Such a radiant sight met her eyes. Lieutenant Crane, his whole face glowing with joy, cried, “She isn’t married at all, Miss Alden. “But she is going to be.” retorted the girl. SHIRLEY CHARLES. •7