The Red Cross Girls in Belgium

isit one of the German prisons. These prisons sheltered a number of wounded British and French sold

Red Cross societies in his own village in Minnesota. So, although his home and Barbara Meade's were many mi

unhappy country they had come to serve. She did not seem to wish to be intimate with the othe

for her big blue eyes. This was partly because Barbara so seldom laughed these days. There was little in Belgium that one could consider amusing. Just now and then

on. Nevertheless, Barbara accepted the invitation with alacrity, although she had p

she was interested to see the inside of a German prison. Moreover, it was not

g

opportunity when it is offered you? It is a common enough state of mind and usually comes from a curious combination of wounded

the American surgeon to the German prison. But as he might need some one to assist him

Brussels. It had formerly been used for persons com

a large court yard. It was built around an enclosed square, wher

g

other places, although the discipline was fairly sever

n reaping some of the harvests. Only a small proportion of the food would ever fall to their consumption, yet the work in the fields was far better fo

tomobiles connected with their hospital. On the outside frame of the

ly. Straightway he invited the two Americans to investigate the prison, [Pg 101]de

on seeing the sick men first. After doing what he could to relieve them

on a stool outside the door. Inside there were a dozen cots, but not another article of furniture. The room w

of them were evidently very ill, the others were merely weak and languid. A

cal, half sorrowful outlook upon life. This excurs

g

iar light swiftness toward the bed of a young soldier. His arms were thro

in French which she could not comprehend. Yet at the same moment she discovered that the boy's eyes wer

rse strode ov

o hope!" she an

ave been fighting this terrible nightmare alone. Now to hear his own worst fears co

in her arms while he shook as if with ague. Th

tle broken French phrases of endearment which she had learned from

ry and the confinement had not broken his physical strength. This made the thought of his affl

voice. She had no real reason for her statement, except that the boy must be comforted for the moment. But he had co

to another patient. But at the[Pg 104] sound

she made. She was so tiny, and yet it was her strength and her symp

e could ever have believed her anything but pretty. Her white forehead was wrinkled with almos

her shoulder she su

t his eyes are looked after before it is too late," she pleaded. Then

ss Winifred Holt is coming over from New York just to look after the soldiers whose eyes have been injured in this war," Barbara continued. "Besides, I know there are eye specialists here who must be able to do something for y

d straightened himself up and ta

A shell exploded too near my face. No matter, it is all in the day's business! I was only thinking of my mothe

hen the next moment Barbara saw Eugenia and herself standing near the opening of a trench in southern France. As usual, they were arguing. But they were inte

ebé," Barba

been called to attend to another patient, Barbara no

lse must hear," she went on, lowering her v

sides, you once gave me a bouquet. Do you remember two Red[Pg 107] Cross nurses to whom you gave some flowers that you and the other sol

own beloved land. "It is the good God who has sent you here to help me. You will write my mother an

Barbara returned resolutely. "The Germans are exchanging prisoners, you kn

ild the moment before, was now smiling almost happi

in its white nurse's cap down c

g

ng into Belgium with Eugenia and of her living not far away in the house which Eugenia had taken. But she also made the boy promise not to breathe to any one the fact

mpelled to hurry away. But she promised to come again to the

two hours Barbara assisted in putting on bandages, in washing ugly

back at him. It was a[Pg 109] trick Barbara had when nursing. It was never a silly or an unsympath

r had become convinced that she was the pluckiest little girl he

over, they were not to be allowed to return to the hospital at once. The German officer in