The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-12-03

"Hilda," he said presently, as he
sat toasting his feet before the fire
with bis wife knitting opposite, and
Judge Harrison's granddaughter lean
ing against the window, and looking
out in the stormy darkness, "wha,
are You going to dol"
Il don't think | quite know, Doc
tori
"You are seventeen Z"
Yes, SIR"
"And you cannot teach ?n
"Oh, dear, no, STRIP Hilda SHOOK
her head decidedly. II had nc
chance for an education, travelling
about as | did.r
GNor sew ?"
Not well enough to adopt it for a
pr ofession y
Then for all / can see, there i:
nothing left but to go into domestic
service"
II would take place tomorrow
Doctor, il | could get decent home
and good wages" said Hilda, quick
| ly.
Good" said DR.. Hooper. THAT
is the right spirit, child p / don'l
fear but what you'll make your way,
il one direction or the other. But
can see something little more prora.
ising ahead for you than that"
What is it, Doctor h"
81 noticed the wayt you took care
Of your poor father, H IDA, in his LAS
illness | thought ihl b you would
make a good nurse-Ikhink SO now
There is an opening ie St Frances
cas- Hospital A gool home and 6
dollar day"
"As nurse, Doctor II
"Yes, as nurse!n
"And | should get isee yoa some
times ?"
"Freqnently--twice week at The
least"
Hilda pondered second or two
and then came foreward with glisten
ing eyes and red lips apart
Doctor" said she. 81 will try it. y
And SO Clement Harrison's grand
daughter donned the little muslin
cap, print dress and white ruiiied
apron of the st. Francesca corps OF
nurses, aud set diligently to work
earning her own living.
A year had passed by, and DR..
Wallace sent word that nurse was
wanted for a smallpox case in the
city. The Sister Superior of the ST.
Frsncescs's looked obviously at her
women.
who will go?" said sbe-and
Hilda Harrison stepped forward.
81 WILL" said she. Il have no
fears of the contagion, aDd l want to
add to my experience"
SO little Hilda packed her bag end
went.
The housekeeper of the great Fifth
avenue palace was wringing her
hands, half terrified out o! her senses:
the other servants bad taken precipi-
tate leave.
"And Miss Lenox went this morn
ing," said she IL should think she
might have stayed !"
"Who is Miss Lenox? questioned
innocent Hilds.
The old gentleman's grsnddaugh-
ter that be has brought up and petted
like cosset lamb" said Mrs. Hurst.
"Oh, the ingratitude of some folks.
And if Judge Harrison should
die
Hilda looked up quickly from the
bottles oe csrbolic acid she was un-
packing.
as this Judge Harrison's house 2"
questioned Hilda
why of course it is" answered
Mrs. Hurst Didn't you know ?"
"No, l did not know" Hilda said.
''But of course 1t makes no differ.
ence whose house it is"
who are you?" Judge Harrison
asked, hoarsely, as the light foot
crossed the threshold.
81 am the nurse from st. Frances
cas- They call me Hilda"
"Hilds what :"
Never mind my other name y
said the young girl, with gentle au-
tbority that had come to her from
months of practice at weary sick
beds. They call me Hilda-snd
you are not to talk and excite your
self"
DO you know you are running a
great risk ?"
at is my business to run risks"
Three weeks elapsed. The crisis
OF the disease was past-the old mau
weaked indeed. sadly dis6gured, was
able once more to sit up in his easy
chair, and Hilds, who had watched
over him with vigilance and tend
erness which be fully appreciated,
was arranging fresh flowers in vase
on the table.
"Hilds," said he, slowly, where
has my granddaughter Marian beer
all this time ?n
"Sbe went away, cir, when you
were frsi taken ILL., She was afraid
OF the disease"
"Aad left me yn
And left you, sir"
There was gratitude !" be NUT
tered, hosrsely. "And when is she
coming back Z"
Hilda laid down her roses and
looked with pathetic, feeling eyes al
him.
"Sbe will not come back at all. .
she answered. 1--WE dared not tell
you, before, but-but her fight was
in vain. She died of small-pox las,
week.
The old man turned away with q
smothered groan.
"Hilda," said be, you will stay
with me! You will not leave me