The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-05-02
Poor Genevieve.

shortly after the conclusion Of the late
war, gentleman, distinguished as a
scholar and politician, was preceding
m the Mississippi During the trip he
became indisp lsed, and finally SO i'll thai,
at his own 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 tue
heat of a summer day 81 aggravated his
disease. which was a bilious fever that
he became deirious, aud for time he
knew nothing If what transpIred.
His returning consciousness disclosed
to him a female, with a cap such as
French attend 4nts generally wear,
Main gown. and Il black silk apron, with
a sweet. gentle and expressive face, aP-
nare.tlv bearing the impression of deep
Solicitude. Perceiving him to be awake
she inquired in voice OF exquisite mel
ody. if he wanted anything Instead OF
answering the question, the SICK man
whom | shall call HartIand, though that
was not his real name, asked two or three
Others. in low, feeble tone.
"Where am land who are you
"You are in St. -, and | am poor
Genevieyeas yogaGrr servant; can do any
"Oh. nurse they have provided Tor Tor
me. | suppose thought Hartland' i
shall, therefore, stand on no ceremony
with her. Ny good girl, VIII 'hank
Won for a glass OF something to quencn.
nv thirst am burning up, believe
Genevieve took his hand, and, after
holding it little while, laid 1t softly
down on the bed saying, as II to herself.
at does indeed burn like fire. Inc
touch of her hand was 50 soft that Hart
land could tell that she pitied HIM with
oil her heart. At this moment his phy-
sician came. and our traveller recognized
in him an old acquaintance, senator
whom he had known at Washington, ano
a very eminent man in his profession
He felt extremely grateful at having
so gentle a nurse and 30 able physician
Vet his recovery was so slow that 1t dlt
no GREAT credit to nurse or doctor, for l
uas nearly six weeks before his fever wa
fairly broken. :,
One day while the doctor was wit
him. it suddenly occurred to Hartlan'
to INQUIRE where he was, ana now Il
came there, and, more especially, |
whose kindness he was indebted for sue
benevolent attentions.
"You are in the house of Mademoisell
de F., Young lady of French eS
traction. a great heress of lands, mines
and what-not, extending no one know
where; and withal most beautiiu
amiable, accomplished woman reptile
his friend "She is a ward of mine, {
rather was. for she is now of age, an
might have married years ago, but ft
singular scruple which she encourage
at the risk Of passing the remainder
her life in singled blessedness
"Ah!" rejoined Hartland, who foun
himself not little interested about Il
bsires.; s'ah, what may the scruple be
"Sbe imagines, or rather fears, II
bo~ oreat possessions that attract
many admirers wherever she goes; al
che once told me she never saw but Of
man toward whom she felt almost III
sistibly sttrasted, and he treated hef
if she was nobody
~ should like to see her, answer
Hartland, '.for, independent OF the Q
locations | owe her, she must be sou
thing of a curiosity. Such humanity
not often coupled with wealth, beau
and accomplishments. But you ha
not yet told me how came to be herr
"You we're seen by a good old au
who resides with the young iady, a
who happened to be looking out OF
window as you were landed, in state
partial delirium. She apPrlsed MAJ Ms"
moiselle de p of the circumstanc
who Immediately gave directions to hs
-1r brou1ht here
upon my word, ! owe her ooi'gan(
which can never repay
THAT il mere than you KNOW 81
the doctor, smiling.
The doctor then rose to depart vi
Hartland. with a degree Of hesita'p
which surprised himself, and the co
rising in his pale cheek, ssked