The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-10-06

"tN'hht, o"il peVSuudi sdlNtN Is VI BEt
little consequence answered. indignant.
ly. Il trust am not selfish or cowardIv
enough to accept such an invitation, if
YOU had the generosity TO make it.
would not desert my worst enemy in
such an extremity as this and if | stood
IN the relation which you do towards Mr..
Richards, 10 power under heaven could
tempt me from his side. As it is, | shall
remain with him in discharge of the du
ties which You seem so willing To relin-
gu'sh. | shall only reg,et your absence
because he will miss YOU
Agnes flashed her eyes angrlv. Some
people will do anything for display, and
the sake of being thought more heroic
than common persons. But am not
one Of the kind. have not the ieas, am
hiti"n for a sain,ship or m"rtyrdom.-
on can do rs YOU choose about rishing
your lite, but | thank my stars YOU are
not mistress of my actions. ] never was
made Tor II nurse, and do not intend to
be one at present 1t is different with
you, YOU have no.
Beauty to spoil | interruptediscorn
fully, for she paused in confusion.
Il didn't say so, though that's true
enough. But such ill--tempered people
as You never die young
| made no reply, and she stood for
moment, gathering up her riding skirts
sIowI Y, and beating the carpet cmphali~
caly with her gathered foot.
But don't let's part in anger size said
at last, holding out her hand with fore
ed smile OF reconciliation. Il shall want
you 10 write Inc every day how he is get.
ting along, unless there is danger OF ta
king the Infection by letter. And YOU
mustn't forget to tell me il he pits badly.
Its 50 shocking. Even if he lives, which
is no, likely, he will probably be horribly
SCARED. Poor fellow Hes so hand
some now
| did not try to conceal my face at her
words bu, just then faint moan came
from the sick room, and broke away
from her with AN inward feeling Of thanks
giving that Heaven, which had given me
An unlvvely face at least had not made
ne he,rtiess. will not say that enjoy
ed the duties of The next four weeks
There was something terrible in being
shut up in that louey old house, having
s,t "o I',',""";t".o'' h"n,"; tI M''n t"e ou'N"rn
atmosphere, hearing no voices but those
oi tue 'iauI.,", o'u- i'', s.urt. 49, iiIs-S"m.
visits, and the delirious nurmurs Of the
sick man. NV uncle aud aun: were sill
away, us | had refraiued from seuGing
tt them unrI the house might ue enter
ed without danger. And 50 there was
no hand but mine to hathe the !evercd
brow, and mix the cooling drinks-no one
to share with me the wear, ing and name.
less offices Of the sick room. But at last.
thank God there came a day Of reason
and Of convalescence day when the
physician said all danger Was over, and
praised nv sklfui nursing as the saving
of Edgar's life. 1t was the second week
OF his cOnvaIescence--a rainy August day,
aud AT Edgars request. had kindIed a
light fire in the graie, and drawn his easy
loungmg chair up before it.
One thing more, before shall let my
patient little nurse sit down. lie said, as !
Giew my chair up beside hlm. will YOU
hring me the little rosewood box from the
tao'e in my room! wish very much TO
open it,
got it for him, and taking a book, sat
down by hi, side.
See, Mary is it not beautiful 2
looked up. He was holding Il sunny
ringlet OF hair toward me. that needed no
second glance to tell me from whose head
it bad been shoru. 1t curIed silky about
his fingers, like a ring Of amber floss, but
the sight Of It slirreL up all the latent
birreress Of my nature.
Yes, Miss Browne had beautiful hair
| replied, biting my hips TO keep harsher
w"rds in check.
Why do YOU always call her Miss
Browne Do you not think With me that
she has u sweet name Agnes 2 he asked,
pronouncing the syIIables IIngeripgly, and
looking at me clrionsIy.
You cannot expect me to feel, as you
do, lovers parliaIity for it bent