Above the several gateways of its iron fence were signs, indicating: "Accident Ward," "Convalescent's Ward," "General Hospital,"

"Nurses' Home," "Dispensary," etc., all of which confused and somewhat startled the country-reared girl. The more, it may be, as, at that moment, the gong of an ambulance warned them to step off the crossing before the "accident" alley beside the main building, and the big van dashed toward an open door.

Jessica gripped Mr. Hale's hand, nervously, and watched in a sort of fascination while white-garbed attendants lifted an injured man from the ambulance and carried him tenderly into the hospital.

"Is--is he hurt?"

"Yes, dear, I suppose so."

"Was it like that they brought Ephraim here?"

"Probably."

"Oh! how dreadful! My poor, poor 'Forty-niner.'"

"Rather, how merciful. But come; such a brave little woman as you mustn't show the white feather at the mere sight of a hospital van.

Ephraim has been well cared for, be sure; and as he has been told to expect you he'll be disappointed if you bring him a scared, unhappy face."

"Then I'll--I'll smile," she answered, promptly, thought the effort was something of a failure.

Soon they entered the building, whose big halls were so silent in contrast with the street outside, and where the white-clad doctors and nurses seemed to Jessica like "ghosts" as they moved softly here and there. Again she clinched the lawyer's hand and whispered:

"It's awful. It smells queer. I'm afraid. Aren't you?"

"Not in the least. I like it. I've been a patient in just such places more than once and think of them as the most blessed inst.i.tutions in the world. The odor of chemicals and disinfectants is noticeable at first, but one soon gets accustomed to it and likes it. At any rate I do. But, see, we're falling behind. Mr. Sharp evidently knows his way well and we must hurry if we'd keep him in sight."

Indeed, the reporter was just disappearing around a turn of the broad staircase leading up into a sun-lighted corridor. He was quick and decided in all his movements, and had paused but for one instant to speak with an attendant at the door before he took his direct way to Ephraim's room.

"Why, I supposed he was in the general ward" said Mr. Hale, as he joined Ninian, who had to stop and wait for his more leisurely advance.

"He was, but he couldn't stand it. So I had him put into a private room and he's much better satisfied. He has money enough to pay for it and if he hadn't--well, it was just pitiful to see the old man's own distress at sight of the distress of others all about him. I'd have had to do it, even if it had taken my bottom dollar."

"True to your cla.s.s! I've always heard that newspaper men were the most generous in the world, and now I believe it. Well, count me in, on this transaction. But when were you here?"

"Last night and--early this morning."

"Whew! If you put such energy as that into the rest of the business you'll make a speedy finish of it!"

"That's my intention. Well, child, here we are. Put your best foot forward and cheer up that forlorn old chap."

Jessica had paused to look down a great ward, opening upon that corridor, and was staring, spellbound, at the rows upon rows of white beds, each with its occupant, and at the white-capped nurses bending over this or that sufferer. The wide, uncurtained windows, all open to the soft morning air, the snowy walls, the cleanliness and repose impressed her.

"Why--it's nice! I thought it would be dreadful; and where is Ephraim?

Can I go in? How shall I find him among so many?"

"Don't you understand? This way, I said, Lady Jess. The sharpshooter wants to see his captain."

She turned swiftly at that, and the smile he had hoped to rouse was on her face as she caught the reporter's hand.

"Why--how did you know _that?_ Who told you I was Lady Jess, or captain?"

"Who but 'Forty-niner' himself? Here he is," and he gently forced her through an open doorway into a little room, which seemed a miniature of the great ward beyond. There was the same white spotlessness, another kind-faced nurse, and another prostrate patient.

"Ephraim! Ephraim! You poor, dear, precious darling!"

She was beside him, her arms about his neck, her tears and kisses raining on his wrinkled face--a face that a moment before had been full of sadness and impatience, but was now br.i.m.m.i.n.g with delight.

"Little Lady! Little captain! I'm a pretty sort of a guardeen, I am!

But, thank G.o.d, I'm not the only man in the world, and you've found them that can help you more than I could, with all my smartness. Did you hear about that turn-tail, Stiffleg? Wasn't that enough to make a man disgusted with horseflesh forever after? Ugh! I wish I had him, I'd larrup him crossing before the 'accident' alley beside the main well!

And to think you, Ca.s.sius Trent's daughter, spent your first night in town at a station-house! Child, I'll never dare to go home and face the 'boys' again, after that. Never."

"Don't talk too much, sir," cautioned the nurse, offering her patient a spoonful of some nourishment.

"No, Ephraim, I'll talk. Oh! what wouldn't Aunt Sally give to be here now! To think she's lost such a chance for dosing you!"

"Forty-niner" laughed and the laughter did him good; though he soon explained: "They say I'll have to lie here for n.o.body knows how long, without moving, scarcely. That pesky old leg of mine did the job up thorough, while it was at it. Thought it might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, I s'pose. Well, it was the luckiest thing ever happened--you getting lost and me getting hurt. That's the only way to look at it. But--Atlantic! How'm I ever going to stand it? Having other folks do for you and I, that'd give my right hand to help you--useless."

"Easily, Ephraim. If it's a good thing, as you say, why then it can't be a bad one. Here's your money. You must use it to pay for anything you want. Or give it all to Mr. Hale about the business. You know."

"Money! I don't want that. All I had they took away from me. Put it in the hospital safe till I'm ready to go out. But you can't live in a city without hard cash in every pocket. Oh! dear! I don't see what is to be done! One minute it all is clear and I think what I said about my accident being lucky for you; the next--I can't stand it. What is to become of you, little captain?"

"I'm going to stay right here with you."

"You are? You will?" demanded the patient, eagerly. "You wouldn't be afraid? But, maybe, you wouldn't be allowed. Hospitals are for sick folks and old fools that don't know enough to sit a horse steady.

They're not for a happy little girl, who can make new friends for herself anywhere. No. I guess, maybe, that Mr. Hale'll find you a place, or get you on the cars to go home again. Oh! child, I wish you were safe back at Sobrante this minute!"

"And our work not done? Foolish 'boy!' As if I'd leave you alone, either, when you're ill and--and Aunt Sally so far away."

Ephraim groaned and Jessica looked toward the reporter, who was talking earnestly with the nurse, just outside in the corridor. She heard him say:

"If it could be arranged it would be a solution of the whole difficulty.

Her board would be a.s.sured, and at the first opportunity she shall be sent to her home. For the present----"

She felt it no shame to listen intently. She knew that they were discussing herself and what was to be done with her. On that subject she had already made up her own mind; so she slipped her hand from Ephraim's and stepped to Mr. Sharp's side.

"I want to say right here in this hospital. I will not make anybody a bit of trouble. I will mind everything I am told. I'll not talk or laugh or anything I should not. I'll help take care of Ephraim and there's n.o.body who knows him here but me. He's the best man there can be, and he's old, though he doesn't look it. Please let me stay. Anyway until all the money is spent. There's enough for a while, I think.

Please."

In answer to the reporter's look, rather than Jessica's words, the nurse replied:

"Yes, we do often have friends of the patients here. If there happen to be rooms empty and so to spare. But a child--we never had a child-boarder before. I'll consult the head nurse and let you know at once. Or, better why not go and see her for yourself?"

"I'd much prefer," said Ninian, who had more faith in his own persuasive powers than in hers. "And I'll take Jessica with me."

The result was that the little girl was allowed to "remain for the present," and was a.s.signed a room very near Ephraim's. Upon her good behavior, as viewed from a hospital standpoint, depended the continuance of her stay.

"She can have her clothes sent here, but only what are necessary,"

added the lady, as she dismissed them.

"My clothes! Why--I don't know where they are."