The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-18

nent his moist hand, and leaving him to
the care Of the physician slept more quietly
than she had done since she first knew Of
his illness.
When Samuel Bond awole TO CONSCIOUS
ness, be saw the physician sitting beside him
aud he said in faint, low voice:
"Will you bring Ella to me-"
"fes, yes, if you will promise not to talk
till you are stronger, and she shall sit here
all tho time and, you may look at her
as much as you chose"
Samuel Bond convalesced rapidly, and in
three or four days could converse tllcn the
doctor said to him:
ado you know to whose care you arc in
lcbted for your lifc?"
"Why, to yours and that old lady you
brought rs my NURSE" was the reply.
Not the nurse in cap who has just lel,
the room-but stop, you arc not going,' he
said, as Ella rose, "No, not to her or, M, ,
but to this brave littlo woman, who came
unasked anil endangered her own life that
she might save yours. Now she needs rest,
and l shall take her away to-day, for I think
she is too good 10 die for you"
"Ella, is it true that you came here before
| sent for you 2" inquired Mr.. Bond.
celia answered not, but sat with her head
bowed upon her hands, while tears tricklcd
down her pale checks.
"Ies! she was here through all you ra-
wing, and would you strike her, telling her TO
so away; but she never left you for a mo-
ment, and it is my humble opinion that
YOU would have died if she had gone. bnt
you don't deserve her any longer, and she
is going home with me-" said DR.. liar
low.
celia, do not go; will YOU not stay with
me a'ways?" said Mr.. Bond.
There, there, YOU talk now like man
of common sense; but my patients need at
tending to, and III call for you this evening,
Ella +; so good morning. and the old gen
| tleman hurried out.
"Ella, como and sit near me-" said Mr..
Bond.
Ella drew her clair TO his side, and rs he
took her hand he said:
"Did you send Mary Watson to inquire
after re? and the bouquets, were they ar
ranged by this hand Of yours"
81 did and forgive me if you think was
too forward, but could not be satisfied un-
less heard directly from you each day."
said Ella.
Sand when you heard that my reason
was gone you came and watched with me
constantly" he said.
"Perhaps l WAS wrong, but DR.. Harlow
told me that you ought to have the very
best of care, and feared the nurse might
have become weary and neglect you," said
ELLA, while tears gathered i'll her eyes.
ELLA you are noble woman and have
heart that is priceless, and what fool 1
have been to plod on through life without
you, when, but for my pride We might both
have been happy. Ella, need not tell
you again that my heart is yours, aud
now will you give me the right to
watch over you as tenderly as you did over
me through all this fearful illness,-wil
you become my bride? Pride has separated
US for so many years, will you answer ME
now?" he said.
"Mr Bond have never loved any one but
you,-and am yours till deal," was the
reply.
"Bless, bless you Ella, for these words
and will you namo the time when l may
become your legal protector" he said:
ave will appoint the day when you
have fully recovered you hcalth," said Ella
"And you will stay with me until am
able to sit up?" he inquired.
"Dr. Hawlow considers you ont Of DAN
ger, and cannot remain longer than to,
morrow; but will call and see you often
until you are well enough to bc about, >" said
Ella.
"Yes, | know the world will say it is i'm
proper, and would not have your fair
name tarnisbed by the breath Of slander
but Ella, let us be married now, privately
Will you consent to it?" he asked.
81 do not consider it advisable, but be as
sured | would not now leave you if did
not think you were out Of danger"
Il shall be miserable, indeed, when you
are away. We ought to have been mar,
ried years age then why should we wait
to make display ofsilks and satins; and
have all our ;'dear five hundred friends" as
witnesses, who will gossip about us till they
can attend another wedding" said Mr..
Bond.
~ will think Of it," said Ella, who fell