Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-11-29

Craige Hill, her face was once more
com posed, and its noble beauty was
only enhanced by the deep mourning
dress, and the expression Of sadness in
her large, soft eyes.
Mrs. Green, an elderly lady, who re-
ceived her new companion in the sit
ting-room, was pleased at once with the
lovely face and the gentle dignity of
manner Nesta had possessed from a
child.
She gave her a cordial welcome, and
while dessert was in progress, told her
what her duties would be.
II have painful disease, Miss Hay,
that is durable, but may last for years.
My nurse Martha, who waited on us
during dinner, will attend me during
my attack of positive illness, so that
you will not have any of the nursing to
attend to. But I am lonely when I am
better, and want q companion. Some
one who will read for me, sing for me,
talk to me, share my walks anu drives.
It will be but a monotonous life for one
SO young as you are, but I hope you
will not hesitate to avail yourself OF the
library and the music room, and will
find some pleasure for your leisure
time"
Nesta answered gratefully, feeling
the kindness of this introduction to her
new life, and from these few words q
conversation was easily opened.
Mrs. Green was interested in the
journey Nesta described with the vi
vacity and freshness of a young travel.
er; and from this topic they easily
passed to others, till both We're sur
prised to hear the mantel-clock strik-
ing nine. -
$50 late!" the old lady cried. "You
must be quite tired out, Miss May. I
will not keep you up one moment long
er. Ring the bell at your hand, and
Martha will show you to your room.
Goodnight" she added, moment
later, when the nurse appeared, II
hope you will rest well. am sure we
shall be good friends, my dear"
Goodnight" said Nesta, land
thank you from my heart for your
kind reception"
Before a week had passed, Mrs.
Green found herself wondering how
she had endured her blank life before
Nesta came.
TWAS characteristic of Ernestine Hay
that whatever she undertook she per-
formed with all her heart. Ruth used
to say that "Nesta made pin.cushion
as if it was the only pin.cushion in the
world, and the fate of the nation hung
upon the stitches" It was the same in
all her studies and all her pleasures.
She had loved Raymond Bancroft with
her whole heart, and many sleepless
nights she spent still thinking of him.
But having promised his mother to give
him up, she carried out her promise in
the spirit as in the letter, and gave him
no token of her whereabouts. So, hay
ing undertaken to be Mrs. Elizabeth
Green's companion, she threw her heart
into her work. She meant to faithfully
earn her salary at first, hut after the
hours of kindly intercourse that greeted
her coming, the salary became quite a
secondary consideration in her desire to
brighten the life Of the gentle old lady
who was so kind to her.
Martha allowed no interference il the
actual nursing duties required with
painful frequency. But Mrs. Green
had restful sense of loving watchfulness
when Nesta's hand fell fell gently gently her
forehead, or Nesta's tender voice spoke
words Of sympathy.
When she was better, Nesta divided
the day into a. succession of interests
suited to her employers feeble health
and intellectual tastes. The morning
walks in the wide, beautiful garden, the
short afternoon drive in low carriage,
behind fat old pony, the evening
hours where Nesta's great musical pro-
ficiency made the time fly upon swift
est wings, the time devoted to reading,
to quiet battles on backgammon
board, to discussing woods or silks for
embroidery, all were invested with the
spirit of affection that made their re.
currence pleasure, where they had
long been WEAKNESS. 1t was no af-
fectation, no sycophancy, that made
Nesta find pleasurable interest in vary
ing this monotonous existence by every
means in her power.
She suggested a fernery, and walks
and drives took new pleasure when
she haunted shady hooks for new speci-
mems of feathery leaves to carry home.
She taught Mrs. Green new stitches for
her fancy work, and was truly pleased
when wonderful pretty things sprang
into existence under their busy fingers.
Above all, Mrs. Green found her q true,
tender dispenser Of her numerous char
tiles, carefully judicious in the cases
she found out in the village, consci-
entiously exact in her accounts of the
large sums entrusted to her for distri-
button. 1t was not wonderful that be-
fore the summer was over these two
were united by strong bonds of mutua
love and respect.
September had come, and one morn
ing. when Nesta was arranging some
late flowers in Mrs. Green's room, the
servant entered with che letters. 1t
had never been the companions duty
70 open her employers letters, though
'he often answered them, and she con.
'inued her task Of grouping the flowers