The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

ral

nton had scarcely left th

as no hope for him, Mildred could only do her

in her lap the girl sat near him trying to rest, alt

ther countries and certainly had passed through remarkable experiences, yet none of them were to be compared wit

rs, having spent three summers abroad traveling with her parents. But this was her fir

figure of the dying boy and let them wander d

or when the patients spoke Mildred could rarely guess what was being said, as she knew so few words of Russian. Yet she

ow, but it was never light nor aired a

fortress, a great room, like a barracks which had

hese opened with difficulty and were protected by heavy iron bars. But then in Russia in many private houses no window i

fancies. She kept seeing dream pictures. For as she stared about the cold chamber

to brightness, not because the added warmth was needed in their big steam-heated house, but because of the cheerfulness. Then would fol

ick would in all probability be trying to explain why his sister was not with him. During her work in France and Belgium her mother and

esence at home, for she would not have disobeyed a co

ussia. For these same reasons her mother also desired her return, yet Mildred knew that there was another motive actuating her mother. She might be unconscious of the fac

big thing her war experiences had done for Mildred Thornton, it had given her a new sense of values. Now she knew the things that cou

asure to continue her work in Euro

rn to talk as her friends did. If questions were asked of her she could only reply with facts, not because she was lacking in sympathy or imagination, but because she had

d a real talent for nursing; her work had received only praise. So here in Europe, where there seemed to be the greatest need of her service

he American girl forgot herself. He had opened his eyes and Mildred could see

had a vocabulary of but a few hundred words. Peter had been a laborer on the estates of a Polish nobleman when the call came to arms. And so often in the pas

leaned over and took his hand Mildred realized

away. The Russian peasant is always a devout Catholic, so Mil

ldier's bedside when an unaccustomed atmosphere

desire. For the priest was even now approaching. However, he was a familiar figure, passi

riest was not alone. He was accompanied b

ment's doubt of the man's identity. This was the Commander of the fortress at Gro

he boundaries of Poland and near the heart of Russia. Here at Grovno the Russian army was expected

eople, although a son of one of Russia's noble families. But he was known to be a shy, qu

ty. His hair was iron gray, but unlike most Russians his eyes were a dark blue. As

d of the Czar and realized just to what extent he m

e surprised at his appear

ed him by the nurses and doctors. Walking down the center of the room he had eyes only for the wounded men wh

s man create such an atmosphere of trust and respect? She had seen other great generals

used by the bedside of the Russi

t womanish in its sympathy. Slowly and reverently the dyi

derstood, but Mildred could not. For he attempted to shake his head,

eel that she had a place in the little group at this moment. She merely

with what seemed a final emotion. The same instant General Alexis leaned down and pinned against the white cotton

red Thornton herself was hardly aware of the signi

nd the poor, the humble and the great was well nigh

t had called from his duties one of the greatest men in Europe, that he might

still, scarcely noticing that his general knelt do

ildred dare m

rs stood quiet as wooden figures, while the

not understand, but in a voice the most wonderful she had ever heard. His ton

oung soldier's dimming eyes, and pronou

he hospital chamber and the Russian boy with the

when instinctively reaching out her hand touched the back of a chair. With this she steadied herself for the moment. Until now she had not known how tired she was from her vigil, nor how she had been

that the great man had risen

her nurse's cap. Her face was almost colorless, yet her pallor was unlike the Russian, which is of a strange olive tone. Now and then in her n

ue-gray, but there were deep circles under them, and the girl s

man regarded her in silence. T

old that three young American women are here at our fortress at Grovno helping to care for our wounded. Y

English and with such simplicity that

at all. She only felt her cold fingers held in a hand like stee

sts and several of the nurses could speak English. Evidently they were overwhelmed by the honor the American gir

one of the greatest commanders in Europe for her service an

the situation which the Russian hospi

a woman. He was an old bachelor and was said to gre

ere is gossip even inside a g

present. As soon as it was possible she begged that she might be allowed to go to her own r

e attention that had just been paid her. Of course Mildred realized that the General's thanks were not bestowed upon her as

to co