Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-03-05

injured man, the surgeon, still busy
binding up his arm as he lay upon a
bench brought from ruined summer
house, felt light touch on his hand and
looked up.
Can [ help your Alice Hunter
asked.
"No child, not now"
"What will they do with him %
II suppose he must go to a hos
pital."
"But the ride-t the journey p
"Will cause great additional suffering,
perhaps result in DEATH"
doctor, will they keep him here if
he is paid for?'
certainly; but there is not money
enough about him to pay his board for
week"
81 will pay it."
"You ?"
ayes; will not let him die for want
of money! have. He"-and her lips
quivered-''he looks like my dear IA
ther who is dead"
elem, yes. Here comes the fol-
lowers to carry him to the station. /
think will have him taken to the house
where board. 1t will cost less, and be
more quiet"
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice was
outraging the proprieties most dread
fully when the young girl went to the
house and altered her services as nurse
to the doctor; but Aunt Sophy silenced
all comment by moving her belongings
from the hotel to the quiet boarding
house, and the doctor found that he
had valuable assistant.
Alice explained, in her quiet, low
voice, that her father was i'll for nine
long months before he died and she was
his nurse. This accounted for the
noiseless wooden dresses, the velvet
shod feet. the quick eye and ready
hand, and when the sufferer recovered
consciousness the gentle voice and tact
that quieted him in paroxysms of pain
and fever. Aunt Sophy was too much
of an invalid herself to help; but she sat
beside the bed while Alice moved to and
fro, and performed all nursing duties.
The season was over, and only these
three remained of the summer board
ers at the house, when, one cool Octo-
Der day, the sick man, now fast recover
ing, called Alice to him.
az shall soon be we'll again, he said,
regretfully.
ayes" she answered, cheerily, every
sOon."
81 shall miss my nurse"
"And [ my patient; but l am glad
you are recovering. We were afraid
at one time there would be more pain
full parting"
"You mean I was in danger ofdying.
Why should that be painful? | am
old"
She made no answer, looking sorrow
fully into his uplifted eyes.
"And a burden upon you the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
responsible for a stranger.
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes
were dewy with feeling, as Alice said
softly: because you are old and
seemed poor and friendless. | was
glad it was in my power to aid you.
Do not think it was at any great cost"
she added, with a generous desire to
tighten the burden of obligation. Il
have some money lyging idle"
Well, child you might have poorer
jewels to deck your bridal than an old
mans tears of gratitude and love. l
am getting we'll and shall soon leave
you. Will you give me keepsake ?"
The girl loosened little locket from
a chain round her throat, cut off one Of
her golden curis and put it in the place
of some hairs he took out, and laid the
trinket in the old mans hand.
With my love-" she said, softly.
"Ah, child" ne sighed Gan old man
wins little love-"
Yet" she said earnestly, "you must
believe that [ have nursed you since
you were conscious with affection. My
own father is gone, but if you ever
want daughters care or affection, be-
lieve me, | will gladly come to you if
possible"
Three days later the house was de-
serted. Aunt Sophy and Alice return
ed to their home, and Alice cheerfully
paid out Of her small patrimony for the
board and expenses Of her venerable
patient.
She little guessed how deep an inn
preston her care and tenderness had
made upon the heart SO long closed
against human affection. SO distrustful
of any advances from his fellow-crea-
lures. It was a revelation TO him, this
active charity to an utter stranger. He
had gone to the hotel to see Malcolm s
choice and had purposely left all clue
to his identity behind him. He had in
tended meeting Alice, if possible, I'M
known and watching her unobserved;
but accident had thrown them together
in a way he little anticipated. The
FIRST use he made Of his recovery was
to write to his nephew, and Malcolm
met him at the station when he re-
turned home.
Knowing nothing OF the recent acct
dent, the young man was shocked at the
change in his uncle's face.
"You've been i'll? he cried.
Every ILL.,"
"Why did you not send for me?"
~ had even better nursing than
yours, Malcolm. Don't ask me any
questions now, but tell me about your
marriage preparation"
! loo hoe oopo homo opd will 70.