The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-12-13
IAnfBERTvII1E n j. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 18, 1876

4
| She had given her adopted father true
child $ love, never guessing she had not the
same claim upon him Ruth had. She had
shared all his own daughters studies and
pleasures, and only the light clouds Of child
ish sorrow had ever broken the sunshine Of
her happy life.
Miss Grace Fairthorne, Ruth's aunt, had
never made any distinction between the two
little girls and grieved as much as Ruth over
this parting, though she knew nothing Of the
deeper's significance, attributing it only to
the loss of fortune occasioned by her broth
er's sudden death.
1t was in the early summer that Nesta left
her old home, and when the first burst of sor-
row was over, she became interested in the
little events of travel, a new experience in her
young life.
BY the time the train stopped at Craige
Hill her face was once more composed, aud
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 received
her new companion in the sitting-ro was
pleased at once with the lovely face and the
gentle dignity of manner Nesta had possessed
from q child.
She gave her cordial welcome, and while
dessert was in progress, told her what her du-
ties would be.
g l 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 i'll
ness, so that you will not have any of the
nursing to attend to. But am lonely when
j am better, and want companion. Some
one who will read for me, sing for me, talk to
me, share my walks and my drives. Il will be
but monotonous life for one SO young as you
are, but hope you will not hesitate to avail
yourself of the library and the music room,
and will find some pleasure for your leisnre
time.o
Nesta answered gratefully, feeling the kind
ness of this introduction to her new life, and
from these few words a conversation was cas-
lily opened
Mrs. Green was interested in the Journey
Nesta described with the vivacity and fresh
ness Of a young traveller and from this topic
they easily passed to others, till both were
surprised to hear the mantle-clock striking
nine.
$50 late y the old lady cried. " You must
be quite tired out, MissH ay. 1 will not keep
you up one moment longer. Ring the bell at
your hand, and Martha will show you to your
room. Goodnight" size added, u moment
later, when the nurse appeared, q hope you
will rest we'll. am sure we shall be good
friends, my dear.
:. Goodnight" said Nesta, +" and thank
you from my heart for your kind reception"
herself wondering how she had endured her
blank life before Nesta came.
1t was characteristic of Ernestine Hay that
whatever she undertook she performed with
all her heart. Ruth used to say that " Nesta
made pin cushion as il it was the only pin
cushion in the world, and the fate of the ma
ton hung upon the stitches" 1t was the
same in 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. &c. hav-
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 but after the hours of kindly intercourse
that greeted her Coming, the salary became
o,,tta caonndar 80, oonv;dara t;nn -, ha. .tao;ra
tie brighten the life Of the gentle old lady
who was SO kind to her.
Martha allowed no interference in the actu-
al nursing duties required with painful fire.
queucy. But Mrs Green had restful sense of
loving watchfulness when Nestas hand fell
gently upon her forhead, or Nesta's tender
voice spoke words of sympathy.
When she was BETTER Nesta divided the day
nto asueo.fsion OF interests suited to her
employers feeble health and intellectual
tastes. The morning walks in the wide, beau-
tiful garden, the short afternoon drive in low
carriage, behind a fat old pony, the evening
hours where Nesta' great musical proficiency
made the time fly upon swiftest wings, the
time devoted to reading, to quiet battles on
the backgammond-b to discussing woods
or silks for embroidery, all were invested with
the spirit Of affection that made their recur-
renee pleasure, where they had long been a
WEAKNESS. 1t was not no affection, no sy-
cophancy, that made Nesta find pleasurable
interest in varying 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 specimens of feathery
leaves to carry home. She taught Mrs. Green
new stitches for her fancy work, and was tru-
/ ly pleased when wonderful pretty things
sprang into existence under their busy fng
ers. Above all, Mrs. Green found her true,
tender dispenser of her numerous charities,
carefully judcious in the cases she found out
in the village, conscentiously exact in her ac-
counts of the large sums entrusted to her for
distribution. It was not wonderful that be-
fore the summer was over these two were
united by strong bonds of mutual love and
respect.