The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-10
VOLUME XI.

servant announced that DIR. Ashton WAS
waiting.
Aud minute after there came into
the room u fair-faced, graceful formed
girl, ot perhaps twenty-five or three,
with the sweetest, most thoughtful face
Harry Nugent thought he had over
seen. Even Nellie. who took So little
notice of everything. WAS instantly
impressed NV the beauty OF the large,
laughing gray eyes, overshadowed by
luxurious purple black brows-eyes
that seemed at constant variance with
the gravity, and dignity. and self
possession expressed by the firm, we'll
shaped mouth, with It's warmly red lips.
Mr.. Nugent arose and bowed.
"Is this Dootor Ashton? am glad
10 see You. This is our invahd-my
wife, Mrs, Nugent.
Then came long list of professional
questions, then several professional
directions, one or two suggestions, and
then general conversation ensued. III
which Harry and the pretty doctor had
their fair share.
And then DIR. Ashton said good
morning 10 Nellie, promising "a bring
her "A new book of which they had been
taking, and WAS escorted down 10 heg
elegant little phaeton that awaited her
At the door, with the groom in livery
perched IN his high back seat.
Before we say good morning, Mr..
Nugent, there is one wori 10 be said
regarding Your wife. l am convinced
there is nothing the matter with her
that might not be removed Of her own
will. Sue is prostrAtei and nervous
because she persists in keeping her
bed she must be made 10 get ont Of 1t.
Indeed, if may sI eak SO emphatically,
may declare that Mrs. Nugent will
die OF pure obstinacy III refusing TO get
we'll
Harry stood beside the phaeton, his
handsome face wearing look Of gravity
and bewilderment
"That is what Doctor Grassmere said.
We all admit she ought TO get out of her
sick bed, but what good will it do 10
give her the shock necessary 70 rouse
her?"
Miss Ashton looked the very picture
of professional skill as she answered
"A shock Certainly not. An alarm
Of fire or rumor Of danger would per-
haps kill-perhaps cure her, but the
risk is not 10 be taken. IL - Just
this, Mr.. Nugent. Your wife honestly
believes she is too i'll ever 10 recover,
and you know, As well as 1, what won
derful effects the mind produces elec-
trically on the physical organization.
Now. for the sake OF her life, which can
be saved. we must get her ont Of bed
let her know for herself she is able 10 do
it-and to accomplish this Doctor Grass
mere nas asked me to take the case. We
have arranged n plan OF action which he
viii tell you and I think in very
short time you VIII see Mrs. Nugent on
the road 10 recovery
Shortly after the doctor found the
invalid propped up among the lace
frilled pillows. looking very pale and
thin. and gentle and patient as usual.
"Well, Mrs. Nellie, aud how arc y1u
coming on nowadays, with your new
doctor? Ideelare, you do look better.
Feel better, l should say. Glorious
weather to csnvalssce in.
He held her little cold hand in his
big one. and caressed il as one might
baby's fingers.
- am comfortable. Doctor Grass
mere. and that Is all l can expect. /
am glad to see you, and So will Harry
be. Isn't it nearly time he was home
to luncheon o.
DR.. Grassmere held out his watch.
Nearly-yes, quite time. Has Doe
tor Ashton called to-day | was In
hopes / should see her
Nellie twisted her ring on her poor
thin finger, her one ring, her welding
ring.
We like her very much. She is very
beautiful and fascinating. and she AMI
Harry have such nice times together,
laughing and talking"
A faint little sigh ended the remark.
"So you think Harry aimJres her
not any more than he ought To. Ell?
Nellie looked bewildered at him, and
for the first time for months, flush
crept to her pale fIee.
More than he ought 10 What DO
you mean. Do;tor Grdssmere?'
Aud there was emphasis in the sweet,
surprised voice as Nellie put the ques-
tion-a question that DR.. Grassmere
did not answer. because there came a
rap at the door. followed by the entrance
of servant bringing Mrs. Nugent's
luach-a quail on toast, cup of choco-
late. a spft-bJiled egg, and a saucer of
luscious peaches aud cream-of all of
which, perhaps, a half-doZen tastes
wOuld be taken.
And besides, there was q letter lying
on the damask-covered silver t,ay--a
letter whose envelope was jagged, as if
it had been hurriedly torn open.
"Oh. n letter for yuu, Mrs. Nugent?'
DR.. Grassmere put on his glasses as
he prepared 10 cut Nellie's quail to suit,
but was interrupted bv faint eEclama-
tion from Nellie, who had taken the let
ter and seen, first, the superscription-
I" Mr.. Harry Nugeut," and then-hur-
riedly tearing IL open, the beginning
d" Nv darling Harry" and the ending,
Ever your own true Gertrude."
"Where did you get it ?" she asked,
almost gasping, Of the maid
"Inlade, and it was a-layin' on the
hure Of the hall as / cam along, ma am,
and on'y iist minded me to pick it up,
thinking ii was bist to give it to yez.
Indade, and not KNOWN the writin' on
it, fought it"
But Nellie was not listening. She had
pushed away the little table where the
luncheon stood, and in her excitement
aud horror had risen from her bed. and
was leaning ON her elbow, devouring the
horrible letter that read that her hus-
band had become ired of her whining
invalidism, and had concluded to take
French leave for awhile; and in answer
to his entreaties that DIR. Ashton would
practically prove the love she had 80
often declared, was this letter from her,
consenting 10 fly with him, and agreeing
to meet him at the Clarendon Hotel that
very day, at noon, 10 make their final
arrangements.
Then, when she had read il, Nellie
tainted, and while she lay there several
seconds, white and unconscious, DIR.
Grassmere read the letter, and laughed.
pretty good First rate / declare
l couldn't "a done it better myself
Clarendon, eh, now. I'll bet on Nellie
when she comes to !"
And almost as soon as she opened her
eyes Nellie struggled up in bed, her eyes
more expressive than Dr. Grassmere had
seen them for many day.
"Go. for carriage-quick Send
Pauline to me. / must get up somehow
anyhow Oh, DIR. Grassmere, to
think my Harry"
She swallowed back her tears, and
looked determinedly at him.
:" If find them-if l find her-do be
duick DR. GrasSnere-dO he ouick Z"