The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-26

happened 70 you -
-" She has mistaken the house. J" said
Herbert Wilson. s,uothefing laugh.
When Jane had identified the sick man
son the bed. she was very much alarmed,
and Instantly attempted torevive him, OBJ
livious of her surroundings. She held her
own vinaigfetse to his iiostils, and dashed
the remainder Of the water In the carafe
over his face Then ahesrang the bell vi
olently; and when 1t was answered BY .
chubby servant whom she had never be-
fore seen, Jane managed very well to
frighten her into immediate summons Of
the doctor. The alarming improperly
of the situation never occurred to her.
Had it been stranger who thus invaded
her territory, Jane could not have done
otherwise than revive him; butit was act.
ually the Rev. Mr.. Powerton in the flesh,
and Jane tsembled as she contemplated
his helplessness.
The Rev. Mr.. Powerton was clerical
star of, the fiist magnitude in the firma-
ment of home where Jane dwelt, elo-
quent, genial and popular to the extent
that might have turned the head of less
wise man.. An ad0ring public had per.
sisted In investing his personal history
with charm of sentiment, for he had
never married, and was the idol of the
feminine portion of his congregation ac-
cordinglv. Jane, in her inmost heart, had
for years considered him noble among
mankind, but she had Withdrawn from all
public manifestations, although she had
in secret wrought one of the innumerable
pairs of slippers sent him anonymous
ly. She always blushed when she thought
Of such temerity, while hoping that the
weary feet of the great clergyman might
seek her gift after the day. labor had been
accomplished.
All these things rushed through her
mind while she held the vinaigrette to
his nose, and she had the satisfaction of
beholding reviving consciousness as the
doctor entered. The doctor was a brisk,
abrupt little man, intent only on his bust
ness. The presence of Jane seemed to
surprise him-if anything could surprise
him in his professional career-and he
demanded to know where the servant had
gone. Receiving no satisfactory response
from the chubby girl, he made such use
of James services that she had no leisure,
for that swift hour, to think of any person
save the sick man. The servant mad left
him at critical stage of fever. Jane
could only think of all those devoted fe-
male parishioners at home in contrast
with the pitiable condition of the Rev.
Mr.. Powerton, abroad, stricken with dan
gerous illness, and left to the tender mer-
cies of q careless servant. She had found
him just at a critical moment. when life
was ebbing away to unconsciousness.
Then lights had dickered about, and the
doctor pressed Jane into active service
during all this interval; and the tall serv-
ant had only just returned from his stroll
when sobbing Minerva, looking up at the
window of the next house, discovered her
lost sister. Jane recognized in the serv-
ant the person on the curb stone, smoking
and chatting with the maid servant, and
instant antagonism awoke between them.
He had inquired as to her residence, and
been answered in the terms overheard by
the anxious listeners outside.
Herbert Wilson led Jane down stairs
later, protesting against his assurance that
she was in the wrong house, and it was
only when she beheld the fat landlady in
the adjoining garden that she was stricken
dumb by her own blunder.
Herbert Wilson was installed chief
nurse, the insolent servant dismissed, and
the ladies hovered about the door of the
sick-chamber, ready with sympathy and
active service.
There came Gay when they waited on
their own threshold for Herbert Wilson to
lead the convalescent slowly through the
yellow gate into their presence. The
Rev. Mr.. Powerton was tall, dignided
man. He advanced to Jane, and took her
hand with emotion.
"The doctor tells me that you saved
my life whea was dying" he said.
All, how grateful | am that mistook
your green gate for our yellow one that
night" returned Jane, with fervor.
Herbert Wilson looked ut Minerva
significantly, and smiled.
Two months later there was quiet
wedding in London, and the bride was
elderly Jane, while the groom was no
other than the celebrated Mr.. Powerton,
considered SO long prize in the matri-
monial market, unattainable by the young
and fair. The foliage might fade at
charming Baden, and the tat landlady re-
tire to winter-quarters to count her gains
Minerva might ramble with her husband
to the far East; Jane was going home to
preside over that large Congregation
post of honor that filled her with secret
trepidation to contemplate. How could
she hope to please everybody!
1t happened, just before quitting Liver.
pool, the bride discovered much worn
pair Of slippers among her husbands
possessions.
81 like these best, because the colors
are so soft and subdued, silver and gray
The bright red flowers on green make my
eyes ache" said the Rev. Mr.. Powerton
"Perhaps you could work another pail
like them, my dear"
" Perhaps could, as l made these my.
SELF" returned elderly Jane, with glee.-
H,7per's Baz1r.