River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-03-13


board. 1t will cost less, and be more
quiet"
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice was out
raging the proprieties most dreadfully
when the young girl went TO the house
and offered her services as nurse to the
doctor; but Aunt Sophy silenced all com
ment bT moving her belongings from the
hotel to the quiet boarding house, and
the,doctor found he had valuable assist
ant.
Alice explained, in her quiet, low voice,
/ that her father was i'll for nine long
months before be died and she was his
nurse. This accounted for the noiseless
wooden dresses, the velvet-shod feet, the
Quick eve and ready hand, and when the
| sufferer recovered consciousness the gentle
/ voice and tact that quoted him in
paroxysms of pain and fever. Aunt Sophy
was too much of IN invalid herself to
help; but she sat beside the bed while
Alice moved TO and fro. and performed
all nursing duties.
The invalid had one long talk with the
doctor, and then submitted 70 the gentle
ministration of the two women, only in
sisting upon man the doctor provided
being with him at night and within call.
The season was over, and only these
three remained of the summer boarders
at the house. when, one cool October day,
the sick man now fast recovering, called
Alice to him.
Il shall soon be we'll again, he said,
regretfully.
"Yes," she answered, cheerily, Every
soon"
II shall miss my nurse
"And | my patient; but | am glad you
are recover ing. We were afraid at one
time there would be a more painful part
ing"
'You mean was in danger OF dying.
Why should that be painful2 am old"
She made no answer, looking sorrow
fully into his uplifted eyes.
"And burden upon you, the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
responsible for stranger
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes
we're dewy with feeling, as Alice said
softly: Because you are old and seem
I'd poor and friendless. was glad it
vas a my power to aid you. Do not
think it was at any great cost" she added
with n generous desire TO Tighten the bur
den of obligation. IL have some mon9G
lying idle
FOR the wedding day, perhaps. Well,
child. you might have poorer jewels to
deck your bridal than an old mans tears
Of gratitude and love. am getting well
and shall soon leave you. Will you give
me keepsake9"
The girl loosened little locket from
q chain round her throat, cut off one of
her golden curls and put it in the place
cf some hairs he took out, and LAID the
trinket in the old mans hand.
with my love-" she sighed, ian old
man sick and feeble wins little love-
yet, she said earnestly, ''you must
believe that have nursed you since you
we're conscious with affection. My own
father is gone, but if ever you want q
daughters care or affection, believe me,
l will gladly come to you if possible
Three days later the house was desert
ell. Aunt Sophy and Alice returned to
tAeir home, and Alice cherfully paid out
OF her small patrimony for the board and
expenses of her venerable patient.
She little guessed how deep an impress
sion her care and tenderness had made
upon the heart so long closed against
human affection, so distrustful of any adj
vances from his fellow creatures. 1t was
a revelation to him, this active charity to
an utter stranger. He had gone to he
hotel merely to see Malcolm's choice and
had purposely left all clue to his identity
behind him He had intended meeting |
Alice, if possible, unknown, and watch |
ing her unobserved; bat accident had |
thrown them together in a way he little
The first use he had made |
o. his recovery was to write to his
nephew, and Malcolm met him at the
station when he returned home.
Knowing nothing OF the recent acct |
dent, the young man was shocked at the |
change in bis uncle's face.
You have been ill3" he cried.
Very ILL.,"
why did you not send for me2"
Il had even better nursing than yours, |
Malcolm Don't ask me any questions
now, but tell me about your marriage |
Alice has gone home and will remain
until November Then she comes to
Mrs. Haydon's, and will buy her furni- |
tIre'
"In November?'
Yes"
Late in November she came, her
trunks full of Aunt Sophy's presents,
and Aunt Mary gave her cordial greeting.
A grand wedding was the display upon
which the lady had set her heart, and
Alice shrank little at the comments up
on the rich uncle and her own good for
tune in the first rate match"
But just before the wedding day a
little note was brought to Alice by
gorgeous footman, who was driven to her
aunt's behind private carriage. The
note was from Malcolm, and begged her
to come to him in the carriage.
Wondering but obedient, Alice was
speedily ready, and was driven to hand
some house, where the door was opened
to usher her into stylish drawing room,
where a gentleman awaited her, and
Malcolm advancing said: my Uncle HUI
bert, ALICE
Kindly blue eyes looked into her own,
Withered hands were extended and voice
ste knew well said: eve are old friends,
Malcolm. Are we not, AiceW
Then, before she could answer, the old
man continued Il have thought, Alice,
that it was unkind to have my nephew
wait for my death before sharing in my
wealth. have borne curse of distrust
in my heart for many years, thinking my
money won me all the affection. save
Maicolm's, that was offered ne; but,
though you were well content to wed the
yuung clerk and put your own patrimony
into his home, you must not refuse my
heir, who has accepted from me an in
come that makes him independent, and
this home"
MY love for Malcolm can bear riches
or poverty" was the answer; ''but, sir,
cur home needs you. You will come,
will You not, to the children, who will
:ry to make you happy by loving carel
Long before | knew you, Malcolm told
me he hoped, when he had home, to
win YOU TO live in it Will you let me,
too. beg of you to come to usi"
GLADLY, child gladly" the old man
said
Il understand now" Alice said to
Malcolm, why you wanted TO wait until
after the wedding to take cur house. You
wanted osurprise me"
Il assure you am as surprised as you
are, though it was Uncle Hubert who
persuaded me ts wait"
So where the rich lonely man had fear
eli to lose the one love of his life, be
gained another tenderer, swecter love TO