American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-03-08

in the money, for he never spoke of it
to me-"
Then the talk drifted into discussion
of bridal finery, of furniture, and stories
of the young wife's content in her own
married life.
But the old man leaning upon the
cane was thinking: "Can it be true ?
Does Malcolm think so little of my
money, that will be his, that be has new
er even mentioned it to his promised
wife? Can it be that shall gain a low
ing, tender niece instead of losing my
nephew when Malcolm marries?"
Loving his nephew so deeply, Hubert
Bates had felt keen pain at the news
of his betrothal. He had never seen
Alice Hunter, but he knew she had been
brought up in circle of fashion and
was the orphan-niece of one of society
gayest votaries, Mrs. Mary Hayden.
While he unused upon the CONVERSE
ton he had overheard, the silvery voices
of his young neighbors still sounding
beside him, there was a sudden crash.
Something struck him upon the head,
and he lost consciousness.
Cries from the summer-house, from
groups of people collected in the
grounds, brought party of men speed
lily to the spot. The rotten posts sup
porting the roof upon one side had given
way and the side and roof had fallen in
Mrs. CORTLAND and Miss Hunter wert
buried under the fallen timbers, the door
way being completely blockaded, bu
were uninjured. Not so the old gentle
man, who had been their unsupported
listener. He was taken out pallid ant
senseless.
| Nobody knew him. He had come b,
the morning train, had taken breakfast
but no room, and asked the hour for tn
return train. A surgeon summoned a
speedily as possible announced broker
arm and injury to the head, making
likelihood of long, tedious illness
There was some animated discussion
some suggestions of hospital, a searcl
through the pockets of the unconsciou
victim, resulting in the discovery of
small sum of money, but no letters, pa
pers or cards; and finally a desertion O
one and another, each going his or he
way, with the consoling reflection, cit
none of my business"
But when they had all deserted tn
injured man the surgeon, still bus
binding up his arm as he lay upon
bench brought from the ruined summer
house, felt light touch on his ham
and looked up.
Scan help you?" Alice Hunter ask
ed.
"No, child, not new.''
"What will they do with himP''
"I suppose he must go to a hos
pitalp'
But the ride the journey?"
"Will cause great additional suffer
ing, perhaps result in DEATH
doctor, will they keep him here
he is paid for?''
Certainly; but there is not none
enough about him to pay his board
week."
al will pay it."
"YouP"
eyes, viii not let him die for wan
of money have. He''-and her lip
quivered-" he looks like my dear fa
ther who is dead?''
Hem-yes. Here comes the fol
lowers to carry him to the station.
think 1 will have him taken to the hous
where board. 1t will cost less, and b
more quiet"
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice wa
outraging the proprieties most dread
fully when the young girl went to til
house and offered her services as nurs
to the doctor; but Aunt Sophy silence
all comment by moving her belonging
from the hotel to the quiet boarding
house, and the doctor found he had
valuable assistant.
Alice explained, in her quiet, lo'
voice, that her father was ill for Ion
months before he died and she was hi
nurse. This accounted for the noise
less wooden dresses, the velvet-shod fee
the quick eye and ready hand, an
when the sufferer recovered consciou:
ness the gentle voice and tact that quiet
ed him in paroxysms of pain and fever
Aunt Sophy was too much of an invali
herself to help; but she sat beside th
bed while Alice moved to and fro, an
performed all nursing duties.
The invalid had one long talk with til
doctor, and then submitted to the gent
} ministration of the two women, only in
sisting upon a man the doctor provide
being with him at night and within cal
The season was over, and only thes
three remained of the summer boardei
} at the house, when, one cool Octobe
day, the sick man, now fast recovering
called Alice to him.
81 shall soon be well again." he sale
regretfully.
"Yes," she answered, cheerily, "ver
soon."
81 shall miss my nurse"
"And 1 my patient; but 1 am gla
} you are recovering. We were afraid {
. one time there would be more paint
parting"
"You mean was in danger of dy
ing. Why should that be painfulP
am DID,"
She made no answer, looking sorrow
fully into his uplifted eyes.
"And a burden upon you, the docto
tells me. Why did you make yourse
responsible for strangerP"