Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-09

unuer tHe lalleu LlmDerS, the doorway
being completely blockaded, but were
uninjured. Not SO the old gentleman
who had been their unsupported listener
He was taken out pallid and senseless.
Nobody knew him. He had come by
the morning train, had taken breakfast
but no room, and asked the hour for the
return train. A surgeon, summoned as
speedily as possible, announced broken
arm and injury to the head, making 8
likelihood of long, tedious illness
There was some animated discussion
some suggestions of hospital, search
through the pockets Of the unconscious
victim, resulting in the discovery of a
small sum Of money, but no letters, pa.
pers or cards; and finally desertion OF
one another, each going his or her way
with the consoling reflection. cts none
Of my business"
But when they had all desert ed the in
jured NAL the surgeon, still busy bind
ing up his arm as he lay upon bench
brought from the ruined summer house
felt light touch on his hand and looked
up.
."Can I help you?" Alice Hunter asked
mo child, not now"
"What will they do with him7"
II suppose he must go to hospital2
'But the 1ide-the journey!"
'Will cause great additional suffering
perhaps result in DEATH"
"Doctor, will they keep him here if he
is paid for9"
"Certanty; but there is not money
enough about him to pay his board a
week.
81 will pay it."
"You?'
eyes; 1 will not let him die for want
of money I have. He"-and her lips
quivered-''he looks like my dear father
who is dead.''
"Hem, yes. Here comes the followers
to carry him to the station. I think I
will have him taken to the house where I
board. It 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 by moving her belongings from the
hotel to the quiet boarding house, and
thesdoctor found he had valuable assist
ant.
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 Quoted 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 invalid had one long talk with the
doctor, and then submitted to the gentle
milistration of the two women. only in
sisring 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.
II shall soon be we'll again." he said,
regretfully.
eyes" she answered, cheerily, "very
soon."
II shsll miss my nurse
"And I my patient; but am glad you
are recovering. We were afraid at one
time there would be more painful part
ing"
"You mean was in danger of dying.
Why should that be painful2 I 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 a stranger?"
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes
were dewy with feeling, as Alice said
softly: because you are old and SEEM
ed 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 generous desire to Tighten the bur-
den of obligation. II have some moneG
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. 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 curls 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 sighed, san old
man sick and feeble wins little love-"
''Yet," she said earnestly, "you must
believe that I have nursed you since you
were conscious with affection. My own
father is gone, but if ever you want a
daughters care or affection, believe me-,
I will gladly come to you if possible"
Three days later the house was desert
ed. Aunt Sophy and Alice returned to
their home, aud 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 ad-
vances from his fellow creatures. It 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; but accident had
thrown them together in way he little
anticipated. The first use he had made
OF 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 his uncle's face.
"You have been ill?' he cried.
"Verv i'll y