Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-04-08

toeuAo hlo uOpnoH cStiahSSG run
him by the influence of dressy
empty-headed woman, or, still NOR.
appalling, his niece. to-be making
false protestations of affection, with
a bore II winning golden favors.
While he mused upon the CONVEX
sation he had overheard, the silvery
voices of his young neighbors still
sounding beside him, there was 6
sudden crash, something struck hin
upon the head, and he lost conscious
ness.
Cries from the summer-house, from
groups of people collected on the
grounds, brought party of men
speedily to the spot. The rotten
posts supporting the roof upon one
side bad given way, and the side and
roof had fallen in. Mrs. CORTLAND
and Miss Hunter were buried under
the fallen timbers, the doorway be-
ing completely blockaded, but were
uninjured. Not so the old gentleman
who had been their unsupported list
ener. He was taken out pallid and
senseIess.
Nobody knew him. He had come
by the morning train, had taken
break fast. but no room, and asked
the hour for the return train. A sur
geon summoned as speedily as posi-
bl announced broken arm and in.
jury to the head, making q likelihood
of long tedious illness. There was
some animated discussion, some sug-
gestions of the hospital, a search
through the pockets Of the uncon.
scious victim, resulting in the discov.
cry Of a small sum of money, but no
letters, papers or cards, and finally a
desertion of one and another, each
going his or her way, with the com
forting reflection
alt is none of my business"
But when they had all deserted
the injured man, the surgeon, still
busy binding up his arm, as be lay
upon bench brought from the ruin
ed summer-house, felt light touch
on his hand, and looked up, to see a
little figure in mourning, with q
sweet face, very pale.
Can help you ?" Alice Hunter
asked.
"No, chill. not now"
"What will they do with him ?"
81 suppose he must go to New
York boz pi.al."
But the rido-the journey p
viii cause great additional suffer
ing. perhaps result in DEATH"
Doctor, will they keep him here
il he is paid for p
"Certainly ; but there is not money
enough about him to pay his board q
week +"
u vii pay itm
lyon r
Eyes will not let hlm die for
want OF money have. He" and her
lip qnivered-"he looks ike my dear
father who - dead =
"H'm-yes. Here comes the fell.
lows to carry him to the station. |
think will have him token 10 the
little cottage where | board 1t will
cost less, and be more quiet"
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice was
outraging the proprieties most dread
fully when the young girl went to
the cottage and offered her services
as nurse to the doctor; but Aunt So
ply siIeneed comment by moving her
belongings from the hotel to the quiet
boarding house, and the doctor found
be had a valuabls assistant.
Alice explained in her quiet, low
voice, that her father was i'll for nine
long months before he died, and she
was his nurse. This accounted for
the noiseless wooden dresses, the vel
vetshod feet, the quick eye and ready
hand, and when the sufferer recover
ed consciousness, the gentle voice
and tact that quoted him in parox~
ysms of pain and fever. Aunt Sophy
was too much of an invalid herself TO
help, but she sat beside the bed while
Alice moved to and fro, made dainty
soups and tempting dishes, and per-
formed all nursing duties.
The invalid had one long talk with
the doctor, and then submitted to the
gentle ministration of The two ladies,
only insisting upon man the doctor
provided, being with him at night
and within call
The season was over, and only
these three remained of the summer
boarders at the little cottage, when
one cool October day, the sick man,
now fast recovering, called Alice to
him.
/ shall soon be we'll again." be
said, regretfuly.
eyes" she answered cheerily,
"very soon.'
IL shall miss my nurse II
"And | my patient; but | am glad
you are recovering We were afraid
at one time there would be more
painful parting
You mean | was in danger o.
dying. Why shoald that be painful
| am old'
She made no answer, looking sor'
rowfllly into his uplifted eyes.
"Aad burden upon you, the doc
tor tells me. Why did you make
yourself responsible for stranger?
The fair face flu. he'd, the soft eyes
were dowy with feeling, A. Alice sale
softly:
Because you were old and seemed
poor and friendioss. | was glad il
was in lay power to aid you. DE-
not think it was at any Z eat cost,
she added, with generous desire t.
lighted the burden of obligation. q
have some money lying Idle"
For the we9ding-day, perhaps
We'll, chit1, you might haze poorer
jewels to deck your brida than ar
cd mans tears of gratitud and love
| am getting well, and shall soor
leave you; will you give me keep
sake p
/