The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-11-21
Poor Genevieve.

HUof utncNleNe.
Shortly after the conclusion of the late
war, gentleman, distinguished as a
scholar and politician, was preceding
up the Mississippi. During the trip he
became indi,p ,sed, and finally So i'll tha;,
at his nwn request he was put on shore
at one of those little old French villages
between the mouth of the OHIO and St.
Louis The agitation of removal and the
heat of a summer day So aggravated his
disease. which was bilious fever, that
he became ucirious, aud fer time he
knew nothing Of what TRANSFERRED.
His returning consciousness disclosed
to him feuAie, with cap such As
French attend mts generally wear, Il
plain gown. aud black silk apron, with
a sweet gentle and expressive face, APP
parentlv bearing the impression of deep
soicitude. Perceiving him to be awake,
she inquired in voice OF exquisite mel
odv, ii he wanted anything. Instead OF
answering the question, the sick man,
whom | shall call iaItiand, though that
was not HIS real name, asked two or three
others. il a low, feeble tone.
"Where am land who are you}"
You are in st. -, and | am poor
Geneveve, your servant; can do any
thing for you, sir!
"Oh. a nurse they have provided for
me. l suppose thought Hartand, Il
shall, therefore, stand on no ceremony
with her Ny good girl, will thank
YOU for T. glass OF something to quench
my thirst-I am burning up, believe
Genevieve took his hand, and, after
holding it little while, laid it softly
down on the bed, saying, as if to herself.
ut does indeed burn like fire The
touch Of her hand was 50 soft that Hart
land could tell that she pitied him with
all her heart At this moment his ply
stefan came. and our traveller recognized
in him All old acquaintance, senator
whom he bad known at Washington, and
very eminent man in his profession.
He felt extremely grateful at having
80 gentle nurse and 30 able ply stefan.
Yet his recovery was 80 slow that 1t did
no great credit to nurse or doctor, for 1t
was nearly six weeks before his fever was
fairly broken.
One day while the doctor was with
him. it suddenly occurred to Hartland
TO INQUIRE where he was, and how he
came there, and, more especially. to
whose kindness he was indebted for such
benevolent attentions.
You are in the house of Mademoiselle
de F, Il young lady of French ex-
traction. great heiress Of lands, mines,
and what-not, extending no one knows
where; and wthal a most beautiful,
amiable, accomplished woman replied
his friend "She is ward of mine, or
rather was, for she is now of age, and
might have married years ago, but for
a singular scruple which she encourages
at the risk of passing the remainder of
her life in singled blessedness.'
"Ah!" rejoined Har,land, who found
himself not little interested about the
hsiress; "ah, what may the scruple bei"
"She imagines, or rather fears, il Is
her great possessions that attract So
many admirers wherever she goes and
she once told me she never saw but one
man toward whom she felt almost ire
sistibly attracted, and he treated her as
if she was nobody"
Il should like to see her." answered
Hartand, for, independent of the OBJ
LEGATIONS owe her, she must be some
thing of a curiosity. Such humanity is
not often coupled with wealth, beauty
and mplishments. But you have
not yet told me how came to be here
"You were seen 10y good old aunt
who resides with the young lady. and
who happened to be looking out Of tue
window as you were landed, in a state Of
partial delirium. She appriscd Made
moiselle de p of the circumstances,
who Immediately gave directions to have
you brought here"
Upon my word, owe her obligations
which can never repay"
THAT is more than you know" said
the doctor, smiling.
The doctor then rose 10 depart when
Hsr,land, with n degree of hesitation,
which surprised himself, and the color
rising in his pale cheek, asked