Cherry Ames Boxed Set 9-12
Page 33
“I’m so happy for you, Lisette.”
Lisette looked up at her with her heart in her jet-black eyes, “If it hadn’t been for your help, Cherry, there might not be any new, rare perfume. You’re going to have a share in it.”
“Thank you, but no, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.” Lisette smiled broadly. “Anyway, we’ll always be friends, won’t we?”
“Of that I’m sure!”
A group of girls came surging into the conservatory. “Give me a rose, Lisette?” “What smells so wonderful? Who’s wearing perfume?” “Will you look at the grin on Lisette’s face! And Cherry’s, too!”
They told the girls their marvelous news. All were delighted. Nancy and shy Mary, even Cora and Susan, hugged Lisette and offered their best congratulations. If ever Lisette had been regarded as eccentric, that day was gone forever.
“We’ll replant the conservatory,” Lisette said eagerly. “You kids can help if you want to. There’ll be roses enough for all of us. And in the spring, we’ll make the garden bloom as it hasn’t bloomed for years—”
Cherry smiled and left them to their plans.
She went back upstairs to her post, feeling happy all the way through. Her months as nurse at the Jamestown School could not have been more satisfying nor turned out more fortunately. She straightened her cap and gazed around the big, pleasant room, seeing in her mind’s eye Nancy, Sibyl, Lisette, and a whole parade of girls whose health she had guarded. She looked with particular affection at the nursing utensils which had served them well in perfume making, then the closet which now breathed of old Pierre’s presence. No matter how long or short a time she remained here as school nurse, she would go on to her next nursing adventure carrying a trail of perfume and happy memories.
The telephone rang. It was Alan.
“I forgot my penknife.” Cherry glanced around the infirmary. He had done no such thing. Alan never forgot anything. “I’ll drive right back to get it. Incidentally, can you come out to dinner with me?”
“Just give me time to change my dress and put on a little silver lace perfume,” said Cherry. This, too, was a reward.
CHERRY AMES, DEPARTMENT STORE NURSE
TITLES BY HELEN WELLS
Cherry Ames, Student Nurse
Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse
Cherry Ames, Army Nurse
Cherry Ames, Chief Nurse
Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse
Cherry Ames, Veterans’ Nurse
Cherry Ames, Private Duty Nurse
Cherry Ames, Visiting Nurse
Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse
Cherry Ames, Boarding School Nurse
Cherry Ames, Department Store Nurse
Cherry Ames, Camp Nurse
Cherry Ames, At Hilton Hospital
Cherry Ames, Island Nurse
Cherry Ames, Rural Nurse
Cherry Ames, Staff Nurse
Cherry Ames, Companion Nurse
Cherry Ames, Jungle Nurse
Cherry Ames, The Mystery in the Doctor’s Office
Cherry Ames, Ski Nurse Mystery
CHERRY AMES NURSE STORIES
CHERRY AMES DEPARTMENT STORE NURSE
By
HELEN WELLS
Copyright © 1956 by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.
Copyright © renewed 2007 by Harriet Schulman Forman
Springer Publishing Company, LLC
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Springer Publishing Company, LLC
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036-8002
www.springerpub.com
Acquisitions Editor: Sally J. Barhydt
Series Editor: Harriet S. Forman
Production Editor: Carol Cain
Cover design: Takeout Graphics, Inc.
Composition: Apex Publishing, LLC
07 08 09 10/ 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wells, Helen, 1910-
Cherry Ames, department store nurse / by Helen Wells.
p. cm. — (Cherry Ames nurse stories)
Summary: Cherry’s first aid center is adjacent to the antiques department of a large department store, where a series of thefts have been blamed on a young, recently widowed employee, but Cherry helps uncover the true culprit.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8261-0415-1 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8261-0415-0 (alk. paper)
[1. Nurses—Fiction. 2. Robbers and outlaws—Fiction. 3. Department stores—Fiction. 4. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Title.
PZ7.W4644Cdj 2007
[Fic]—dc22 2007017705
Printed in the United States of America by Bang Printing
Contents
FOREWORD
I
HOME FOR THANKSGIVING
II
NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS
III
THE JADE VASE
IV
AN INVITATION
V
MR. OTTO AND THE MUSIC BOX
VI
A MOST INGENIOUS TRICK
VII
STRANGE MARKINGS
VIII
ERRAND OR EXCUSE?
IX
PRIVATE GALLERY
X
WHERE THE MELODY LED
XI
THE ROSE DIAMOND NECKLACE
XII
CHERRY GIVES CHASE
XIII
CHRISTMAS EVE
Foreword
Helen Wells, the author of the Cherry Ames stories, said, “I’ve always thought of nursing, and perhaps you have, too, as just about the most exciting, important, and rewarding profession there is. Can you think of any other skill that is always needed by everybody, everywhere?”
I was and still am a fan of Cherry Ames. Her courageous dedication to her patients; her exciting escapades; her thirst for knowledge; her intelligent application of her nursing skills; and the respect she achieved as a registered nurse (RN) all made it clear to me that I was going to follow in her footsteps and become a nurse—nothing else would do. Thousands of other young readers were motivated by Cherry Ames to become RNs as well. Through her thought-provoking stories, Cherry Ames led a steady stream of students into schools of nursing across the country well into the 1960s and 1970s when the series ended.
Readers who remember enjoying these books in the past will take pleasure in reading them again now—whether or not they chose nursing as their life’s work. Perhaps they will share them with others and even motivate a person or two to choose nursing as a career path.
My nursing path has been rich and satisfying. I have delivered babies, cared for people in hospitals and in their homes, and saved lives. I have worked at the bedside and served as an administrator. I have published journals, written articles, taught students, consulted, and given expert testimony. Never once did I regret my decision to enter nursing.
During the time that I was publishing a nursing journal, I became acquainted with Robert Wells, brother of Helen Wells. In the course of conversation I learned that Ms. Wells had passed on and left the Cherry Ames copyright to Mr. Wells. Because there is a shortage of nurses here in the US today, I thought, “Why not bring Cherry back to motivate a whole new generation of young people? Why not ask Mr. Wells for the copyright to Cherry Ames?” Mr. Wells agreed, and the republished series is dedicated both to Helen Wells, the original author, and to her brother, Robert Wells, who transferred the rights to me. I am proud to ensure the continuation of Cherry Ames into the twenty-first century.
The final dedication is to you, both new and old readers of Cherry Ames: It is my dream that you enjoy Cherry’s nursing skills as well as her escapades. I hope that young readers will
feel motivated to choose nursing as their life’s work. Remember, as Helen Wells herself said: there’s no other skill that’s “always needed by everybody, everywhere.”
Harriet Schulman Forman, RN, EdD
Series Editor
CHERRY AMES, DEPARTMENT STORE NURSE
CHAPTER I
Home for Thanksgiving
“THIS,” SAID CHERRY, “IS PRETTY WONDERFUL!” SHE BEAMED at the others around the festive table with its autumn fruits and flowers. Her family beamed back at her. “For once all four Ameses are together, and isn’t it nice?”
“I feel a little selfish, not asking some of the relatives for Thanksgiving dinner,” Mrs. Ames remarked.
“Just us is fine,” said Charlie. “Besides, that leaves us more turkey.”
Mr. Ames, who could carve only when standing up, muttered that it was about time Charlie took over this chore. But when Charlie obligingly stood up to help, their father said, “Never mind, thanks. No chores for either of you kids when you’re only home for the holiday.”
“I won’t make any speeches about what it’s worth to me to be here today,” Cherry said. “Even for a few days’ leave.”
She had flown to Hilton, Illinois, from New York and this evening she would have to fly back again. If her old friend Ann Evans hadn’t had family matters to tend to, she might be able to stay at home longer. On the other hand, if Ann Evans Powell hadn’t needed someone in a hurry to substitute for her, Cherry would never have secured the nursing job in a New York department store, two weeks ago. And it was a fascinating job.
Conversation lapsed for a few minutes as the Ames family concentrated on Edith Ames’s Thanksgiving feast.
“Best bird we ever had,” said Mr. Ames happily.
“Especially considering that I popped him into the oven and went off to church services with the rest of you.” Mrs. Ames added, “Cherry helped me with the dinner, you know. Honey, when you get married, remember that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
“I don’t see Cherry getting married in any hurry,” Charlie said. “Not until she finds someone she likes better than nursing.”
Cherry glanced up; she had been thinking how different her big, comfortable, leisurely home was from the high jinks at No. 9 Standish Street in Greenwich Village. She had merely intended to visit the Spencer Club girls for a few days; instead, she’d inherited Ann’s job, and stayed on with her old classmates from Spencer Nursing School.
“All right, smarty,” she said to her brother. “Since you’re so knowing, I’ll surprise you and tell you there is someone in my romance department.”
“A handsome young doctor? Couldn’t be anything else.”
“Now don’t tease Cherry about her nursing,” their mother said gently. “Anyone who’s been as devoted as she has—”
“Who’s the lucky young man?” Mr. Ames demanded.
“Oh, Dad! It’s nothing much, really. I mean not so soon.” Cherry turned rosy to the roots of her dark curls. “Mostly I’m teasing Charlie. I understand he’s interested in someone himself.”
“Won’t talk?” Charlie laughed. “Then neither will I.”
“Who’s ready for second helpings?” Mrs. Ames asked.
Cherry knew her mother’s tactful maneuver of pretending to be uninterested, and knew perfectly well that the subject would come up again later. She was glad, though, to have a respite from her brother’s teasing. When they had been small, growing up together, and then particularly in their teens, Charlie with his teasing had been the bane of her existence.
“Come on, Cherry,” said her father, “tell us his name.”
Cherry’s dark eyes danced and she shook her head. “I’ll tell you, though, about a pretty special person who really has me interested.”
“Someone at Thomas and Parke’s?”
“Yes, Mother. That department store is chock-full of interesting people. It’s a whole world in itself. Well, her name is Mrs. Julian. Anna Elizabeth Julian, and from the few words we’ve exchanged, I think she’s someone I’d like to know better.”
Cherry’s family peppered her with questions. She tried to answer everybody at once, and enjoy Thanksgiving turkey at the same time. No, she hardly knew Mrs. Julian—Cherry was so new on the job she didn’t know many people yet—but liked the young woman’s lovely, fragile appearance and friendly manner. Cherry had been struck by her extreme shyness, an unexpected trait in business. Mrs. Julian sold art objects and antiques. Fabulous things like porcelains and flowery Aubusson carpets and painted Venetian furniture and Chinese jade. Mrs. Julian apparently knew a great deal about art objects; only another woman and a man, besides the department head, were qualified to deal in these museum pieces.
“Emerald earrings that belonged to a queen, and Mother, what a collection of fans!” Cherry exclaimed. “A real treasure house, that department.… Yes, Charlie, I do spend my time in the store’s hospital. Working. Antiques are located on the same floor as the medical department, the sixth floor, along with the personnel office and the—”
Cherry broke off short. Charlie grinned.
“The what?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“We will now,” Mrs. Ames announced, “have our pumpkin pie and coffee. Charlie, dear, will you help clear the table?”
“You women certainly stick together,” Charlie complained, but he kissed their mother lightly on the cheek. “If anyone took an equal interest in my job, I’d be complimented.”
“We already know all about your job,” Mr. Ames pointed out.
Charlie worked in Indianapolis, near home, in the engineering division of a large automotive plant. The only fault he could find with his job was that it did not involve airplanes—he had flown as an Air Force pilot—but at any rate he was working with machinery and speed.
In fact, he sprinted out with the platters so fast that his mother pleaded for the safety of her best china. Mr. Ames refused to help this once, and sat contentedly in the armchair at the head of the table.
“Faster, you slaves. Cherry, that’s a mighty pretty red dress you’re wearing. Matches your cheeks.”
“Thank you, Dad. You always were partial to red.”
“Well, I’m partial to my daughter. If there’s a young man in New York you’re interested in, I’d like to have a look at him.”
“Why, Dad! I’m not that serious.”
Her father grunted. “You never can tell what will happen.”
During the balance of dinner, Cherry’s mother kept the questions to what nursing in a New York department store was like. The two Ames men were foiled.
This Thanksgiving afternoon was gray and windy, not a promising day for a walk. The big house grew quiet. Charlie went across the street to see Bob Pritchett. Cherry’s mother was resting now, for some neighbors had promised to come in later. Her father was in the living room reading a book. How quiet it was! For a few moments Cherry stood listening to the tick of the grandfather clock on the stair landing. It hadn’t been peaceful or quiet at the girls’ boarding school where she recently had been nurse-in-charge, but it had been a lot of fun! This new department store assignment was fun, too, though it certainly was never very quiet in New York!
“Well, if I enjoy the peace and quiet at home so much,” Cherry challenged herself, “why don’t I stay home? There ought to be two of me, one to go gallivanting around nursing, and one to stay home and love it.”
She did care deeply for this house, and for this small town. Her grandparents, and their parents, had lived here. As she went up the long staircase Cherry touched the polished stair rail, which had heel nicks where she and Charlie used to slide down. In her own bright red-and-white room she gazed out at the garden and yard below. The lilac bush brushed her windows with bare branches, and her mother’s flower beds looked straggly. Perhaps she was lucky, with winter setting in, to be returning to a great city with all its activity and brilliance. And new people to get better acquainted with, like Tom Reese and Mrs.
Julian.
Cherry was halfway through her packing when her mother peeked in.
“What are you smiling to yourself about?”
“Come in, Mother.” Cherry pulled the door open and offered her mother the small slipper chair.
“I hate to see you packing. This visit has been so short.”
“Awfully good, though,” Cherry said. “We’ve talked constantly for two days and two evenings now. We had so much news to catch up on.”
“Yet in all our talking you didn’t mention any romance.”
Cherry laughed and ran her hand through her dark curls in a gesture of despair.
“All right, all right! His name is Tom Reese, he’s assistant to the store manager, and besides that, he supervises the sixth and seventh floors. He sort of floats around the store wherever he’s needed. But his office is right next door to the medical department.”
Cherry’s mother smiled. “Is he very nice?”
“As far as I know, yes. I know him only in the store. Everybody there likes him. Tom Reese has been very nice and helpful to me, helping me step overnight into Ann’s job.”
“Well, it all sounds pleasant,” said Mrs. Ames. “I suppose you and he and everyone at Thomas and Parke’s will be extremely busy with the Christmas rush?”
“You’re so right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.
“The Pritchetts!” Cherry’s mother exclaimed. “And I haven’t even washed my face! Cherry, go downstairs and help Dad entertain them.”
Cherry always enjoyed seeing their old neighbors again. Presently the Galloways came in to join the Ames family on Thanksgiving afternoon. But the ones Cherry most wanted to see—Dr. Joseph Fortune and his daughter, Midge—had driven up to Chicago for today. However, news of them was good; Dr. Joe seemed happy in administering the Hilton Clinic, and Midge was struggling through high school in her usual harum-scarum way. So Cherry felt satisfied about the Fortunes.