The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-07-19

of her hand was so soft, that Hariland
could tell that she plied him with all hen
heart. At this moment the physician
came, and our traveller recognized in him
an old acquaintance, senator whom he
had known at Washington, and very
eminen, man in his profession. He fell
extremely grateful at having so gentle q
nurse, and so able physician. Yet his
recovery was so slow that it did no great
credit to either nurse or doctor, for it was
nearly SIX weeks before his fever was
fairly broken.
During that time he relapsed more than
once, and there were periods when all,
and himself among the rest, despaired of
his recovery. Day and night Genevieve
was his attendant, we might almost say
his guardian angel. If he opened his Ian
guild CLASSY eyes in the day, she was sit
ting by his bedside and if he asked for
any thing at night he was administered
TO by her gentle hand, and soothed by her
gentle voice. At such times he was oc-
casonally puzzled by vague perception
that lie had somewhhre seen her before
but it passed away, like a dream, when,
with all his efforts, he could neither re-
call the time nor the occasion. More
than once he thought he saw her wipng
tears from her eyes, as he awakened from
his miserable intervals of partial oblivion /;
but he ended in being convinced that it
was mistake, since what was she to him
or he to her. Genevieve had said she
was his nurse Poor Genevievc she was
therefore hired for her services, aud her
attentions were TO be repaid in money.
| Still his soul could not resist the sacred
impulse of gratitude, and he promised be-
| fore his Maker that, whether he lived or
died, he would make her ample amends.
AT length he became convalescent, and,
in proportion as he recovered, Gencvieve
gradually relaxed in her attendance, which
was now supplied by male servant.
Hartland was little hurt at this, and in
deed seriously missed the soft voice, and
gentle, compassionate look of Gencvieve.
Il suppose iicr month is up thought he,
in pet, 'and she is waiting to be enga-
ged for another Still Genevicve came
sometimes, though not so.oflen as before
and Hartland being now recovering from
state of almost infant helplessness, be-
gan TO study her little more attentivoly.
There was something about her that puz-
zled him. Though dressed like wait
ing maid, her appearance and demeanor
did not seem to belong TO that class, and,
in the conversations he had with her, she
discovered a we'll cultivated mind, stored
with that polite information becoming in
wellbred woman. Every thing she
said or did exhibited quiet, lady-lik
simplicity and decorum. There was al
so something IN her department toward
him so different from that which usually
exists between the nurse and the patient,
that Hariland, half the time. did not know
how TO behave himself. He sometimes
insisted on her being seated, but she al
ways declined with look of humility
that sunk into his heart. AT first he was
puzzled, next interested, and finally there
stole into his heart one Of the softest of all
possible feelings for Gencvieve, compoun-
ded of full-grown gratitude and newborn
love.
One day, while the doctor was with
him, it suddenly occurred to Har,land to
inquire where he was, how he came
there, and, most especially, to whose
Kindness he was indebted for such benev-
client attentions; limiting at the same time
that he presumed it was the doctor who
had interposed in his behalf.
You are Mistaken replied his friend
Il knew nothing of your situation till
found you here
Indeed and how came here ?
Il will tell you, for you ought to know,
in order to return thanks in the proper
place. You are in the house Of Madem-
oiselle de F., young lady of French
extraction, great heress, of lands. mines,
and what not, extending no one knows
where; and, withal, most beautiful,
amiable, accomplished woman. She is
ward of mine, or rather was, for she is
now of age, and might have married long
ago, but for singular scruple which she
encourages at the risk of passing the re-
mainder Of her life in single besscdaess.'
AN rejoned Har,land, who found
himself not little interested about the
heiress; 'ah, and what may this scruple
be p
'She imagines, or rather fears, i, is her
great possessions that attract so many adj
mirers wherever she goes; and faith, not
wlths'anding her beauty and accomplish
ments, she is probably in the right. She
is waiting 10 be loved for herself alone,
and from being almost always surrounded