The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-31
VOLUME 3.
"But you pulled me through" !" said he,

"But yon pulled me through" said he,
with long breath.
~Yes. and your patient little nurse.
~ho has just gone for half an hour
sleep"
"Who is she, doctor?" asked the Major
anxiourly.
She is the niece of one Of the lady
| boarders. Martin, / think they call her
Her aunt ", mt away as room as the fever
declared itself-in fact il riddled the
hotel pretty nearly-but this girl would
not allow any one to snfier for want of
care and nnrring 80 she conrageOusly re-
mained to take care of you"
"Why did she do thai?" asked the
Major, little lump rising in his throat.
"Wby did Florence Nightingale go
ont to the Crimea? Why are all women
born heroines at heartP" retorted the
doctor.
"God bless herr" mnttered the Major.
And then he turned his head to ore
side, and big drop or two splashed
down on the pillow.
Day by day he lay there in slow con-
valescence, while the pretty young nurse
ministered TO him.
my dear" said the Major. one day.
81 think am beginning to realize now
what the blessings of daughter would
have been, had God given me one. /
have grown very fond Of you"
The soft blue eyes beamed smilingly
down upon him as he spoke.
"And of you," answered the girl, in
low, tender accents.
"Are you much attached to your
aunt?-Mrs. Fessenden, l believe her
name is"
"Yes," said the girl, half doubtedly 81
suppose so; ] never saw her before she
asked me to spend the season with her at
Atlantic City last month" 4"
ais that all you haye been with her?"
That's ALL"
"Tben," SAID the Major, 81 shall ask
her to let me adopt you. Will you be
nv daughter henceforth?"
She threw her arms around his neck.
and sobbed upon his breast.
"Do you really love me? Do you re-
ally want me?" asked che.
81 am all alone nv child" said the
Major. "And you will be the sunshine
Of my house.
"But you have a SOM"
"Yes," answered the Major. slightly
frowning. "Poor Harrvl But he has
esfranged himself from me-
"Forever!"
"Yes, foreverT sickness you see had
taken none Of the inherit obstinacy out
of onr old hero's character.)
"Papar'-she knelt beside the satin
pillowed invalid chair, which had been
wheeled out into the sunshine on the
broad veranda-'I am to call you papa,
am not?"
"Of course you are, dearest?"
The Majors hand stroked down her
bright hair with tender touch as he
spoke. ...-. .-.
"Then, papa, tell me why you are es-
tranged from him."
"He married in disregard to my wish
es," the Major sternly answered.
"Is that such an objectionable crime?"
"Unpardonable? See here, Mary, if
he had not made such a fool, such an
idiot of himself he might have been
your husband. You might have been
then my daughter in very truth! Strang-
er things have happened"
"But that couldn't be-"
"Why not?" demanded the Major.
because he is my husband already
Oh, papa-dear father!-forRive me! ]
am not Mary Martin and yet I am! Ny
real name is Mary Ariel Martindale;
and Harry. away at ST. Louis, is my
husband! ! came only here to stay with
my Aunt Fessenden until he could make
the little home for us, which we had
hoped and dreamed of. Will you forgive
us both. papa, for my sake?
II suppose I shall have to-" said the
Major in extreme bewilderment. kiss
me, dear! Upon the whole. Harry isn't
quite such a fool as believed him to
be! And you knew who was all the
timer'
"Of course ] did"
"And you kept dark? Sly little puss!
Well Mary-I mean Ariel"
"Yes papa"
"We1l telegraph to Harry to come
right back There's only three of us.-
Let's try and he happy together"
So, through Ariel's blue eyes and
heavenset face, Harry Martindale was
disinherited. and through her he was
again received into his own inheritance.
"Own up, sir. that ! knew wha, was
about" said Harry. as he stood there
Ariel leaning on his arm.
"You dop" said the old gentleman
facetiously poking him in the ribs, you
| have 0ot the Drettiest wife poinRn