The Rough Rider by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

there. She was wearing an inexpensive dress, and yet he sensed an inner strength about the girl, a serenity that impressed him. Her dress had been out of fashion for several years, but it was clean and neat. “I’m Dr. Burns,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
    “My name is Deborah Laurent, Dr. Burns.”
    “Ah, yes, Mr. Gardner’s told me about you. You’re doing a fine job at the mission,” he said.
    “Reverend Gardner’s very kind.”
    “Won’t you sit down?” said Burns, motioning her toward one of the chairs.
    “Thank you.” Deborah took a seat, then in a very straightforward manner said, “I’ve come to talk to you about Gail Summers and about—other things.”
    “Oh, you know Gail, of course.”
    “Yes, she’s been staying with me in my room since she came to the mission. She’s a precious girl, and I can’t see any future for her if she goes back home.”
    “No, it’s a terrible situation, and she’s worried about her brother, too.”
    “Yes, I know. We’re praying about that. In the meantime, I wanted to talk to you about this program for nursing assistants. I don’t quite understand it. What would it mean exactly?”
    Burns blinked his eyes with surprise at the girl’s interest. Walking behind his desk he took a seat and began to explainthe program. When he’d finished, he shrugged and said, “It’s not the best thing in the world, but doctors need help. It takes a long time to train a nurse, but this short-term program would adequately prepare a woman to do most things. Then, later on, they can go on and continue their education and become full-fledged nurses.”
    “And you think Gail would be able to do this?”
    “Oh, I’m sure she could—it’s just a matter of finances.”
    Deborah Laurent was silent for a moment. There was an unusual quietness about this woman. She was not beautiful, yet there was a winsomeness about her. She had a trim figure, Burns noticed, and was not like some of the women that sometimes drifted into the Water Street Mission. Somehow, there was a reticence in her that he felt was habitual. She was evidently a young woman who thought deeply and slowly, and he waited until she spoke.
    “I would like to pay Gail’s expenses for this program—and I would like to join it myself, if that is possible, Dr. Burns.”
    “Why . . . of course,” Burns stammered. He was taken aback at the ease with which Miss Laurent had made the generous offer. “I’m sure the hospital would be most fortunate to receive both of you into the program. Are you certain this is what you want to do?” He wanted to inquire about her finances, but something about the young woman’s bearing made him know instinctively that to question her on this point would not be right.
    “Yes, I’m sure. And I would request that you promise not to reveal to Gail the source of this gift, please.”
    “Of course, Miss Laurent,” said Burns, amazed at this young woman sitting across from him.
    “When will the program begin?”
    “Why, it can begin at once. The new classes started a week ago, but I’m sure you and Gail could catch up easily.”
    “Would you like to tell Gail about this or should I do it?”
    “Well, as a matter of fact, I’d like to talk to her myself. Ifyou could wait for a few moments, I think I could arrange to go with you.”
    It took a little doing, mostly explaining to Nurse Smith that he was not running away with the young woman. “We’ll get two assistant nurses out of this. Don’t worry, Agnes—you know Gail, and this one seems to be even more mature.”
    Dr. Burns hailed a cabbie, and after helping Deborah Laurent up, the two of them made their way to the Water Street Mission. Awful Gardner was standing in front of the mission when the driver of the cab reined the horses to a stop. He had a twinkle in his eyes when he saw who the occupants were that stepped down. Dr. Burns and Deborah greeted him and quickly told him that Gail was going to be able to join