Aunt Janes Nieces in the Red Cross | Page 5

attractive but with a sad and anxious
expression, descended from the Pullman and brightened as she found
her friends standing with outstretched arms to greet her.
"Oh, Maud!" cried Patsy, usurping the first hug, "how glad I am to see
you again!"
Beth looked in Maud Stanton's face and forbore to speak as she
embraced her friend. Then Jones shook both hands of the new arrival
and Uncle John kissed her with the same tenderness he showed his own
nieces.
This reception seemed to cheer Maud Stanton immensely. She even
smiled during the drive to Willing Square--a winning, gracious smile
that would have caused her to be instantly recognized in almost any
community of our vast country; for this beautiful young girl was a
famous motion picture actress, possessing qualities that had endeared
her to every patron of the better class photo-dramas.
At first she had been forced to adopt this occupation by the stern
necessity of earning a livelihood, and under the careful guidance of her
aunt--Mrs. Jane Montrose, a widow who had at one time been a
favorite in New York social circles--Maud and her sister Florence had
applied themselves so intelligently to their art that their compensation
had become liberal enough to enable them to save a modest
competence.
One cause of surprise at Maud's sudden journey east was the fact that

her services were in eager demand by the managers of the best
producing companies on the Pacific Coast, where nearly all the
American pictures are now made. Another cause for surprise was that
she came alone, leaving her Aunt Jane and her sister Flo--usually her
inseparable companion--in Los Angeles.
But they did not question her until the cosy home at Willing Square
was reached, luncheon served and Maud installed in the "Guest Room."
Then the three girls had "a good, long talk" and presently came
trooping into the library to enlighten Uncle John and Ajo.
"Oh, Uncle! What do you think?" cried Patsy. "Maud is going to the
war!"
"The war!" echoed Mr. Merrick in a bewildered voice. "What on earth
can--"
"She is going to be a nurse," explained Beth, a soft glow of enthusiasm
mantling her pretty face. "Isn't it splendid, Uncle!"
"H-m," said Uncle John, regarding the girl with wonder. "It is certainly
a--a--surprising venture."
"But--see here, Maud--it's mighty dangerous," protested young Jones.
"It's a tremendous undertaking, and--what can one girl do in the midst
of all those horrors?"
Maud seated herself quietly between them. Her face was grave and
thoughtful.
"I have had to answer many such arguments before now, as you may
suspect," she began in even tones, "but the fact that I am here, well on
my journey, is proof that I have convinced my aunt, my sister and all
my western friends that I am at least determined on my mission,
whether it be wise or foolish. I do not think I shall incur danger by
caring for the wounded; the Red Cross is highly respected everywhere,
these days."

"The Red Cross?" quoth Uncle John.
"Yes; I shall wear the Red Cross," she continued. "You know that I am
a trained nurse; it was part of my education before--before--"
"I had not known that until now," said Mr. Merrick, "but I am glad you
have had that training. Beth began a course at the school here, but I
took her away to Europe before she graduated. However, I wish more
girls could be trained for nursing, as it is a more useful and admirable
accomplishment than most of them now acquire."
"Fox-Trots and Bunny-Hugs, for instance," said Patricia with fine
disdain.
"Patsy is a splendid nurse," declared Ajo, with a grateful look toward
that chubby miss.
"But untrained," she answered laughingly. "It was just common sense
that enabled me to cure your malady, Ajo. I couldn't bandage a cut or a
bullet wound to save me."
"Fortunately," said Maud, "I have a diploma which will gain for me the
endorsement of the American Red Cross Society. I am counting on that
to enable me to get an appointment at the seat of war, where I can be of
most use."
"Where will you go?" asked the boy. "To Germany, Austria, Russia,
Belgium, or--"
"I shall go to France," she replied. "I speak French, but understand little
of German, although once I studied the language."
"Are you fully resolved upon this course, Maud?" asked Mr. Merrick in
a tone of regret.
"Fully decided, sir. I am going to Washington to-morrow, to get my
credentials, and then I shall take the first steamer to Europe."
There was no use arguing with Maud Stanton when she assumed that

tone. It was neither obstinate nor defiant, yet it conveyed a quiet
resolve that was unanswerable.
For a time they sat in silence, musing on the