Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-24
DIR. Hooper nodded.

age to provide for myself
mo hurry lass, no hurry" said tht
kindly little doctor. "Go tell my wife tC
bring me cup of hot coffee before | start
out again.
"Hilda," he said presently, as he sal
toasting his feet before the fire, with his
wife knitting opposite, and Judge Harri.
sons granddaughter leaning against the
window, and looking out into the stormy
darkness, what are YOU going to do:
II don't think quite know, Doctor.
"You are sixteen:
Sixteen and half, sir"
"And you cannot teach"
"Oh, dear, no, SIR" Hilda shook hel
head decidedly, II had no chance fol
much education, travelling about as did y
Nor sew"
NO, well enough to adopt it as pro.
sion"
Then, for all l can see, there is moth
ing left but to 90 into the domestic SER
vice"
II would take place tomorrow, Doc.
tor, if | could get a good home and de-
cent wages" said Hilda quickly.
Good" said DR.. Hooper. THAT is
the right spirit. child! | don't fear but
what you'll make your way in one direc-
ton or another. But | think can see
something little more promising ahead
for you than that"
what is it, Doctor"
Il noticed the way you took care Of
your poor father, dear Hilda, in his
last illness. | thought then YOU would
make 4 good nurse think so now.
There is an opening in st. Francesca
Hospital. A good home and dollar a
day"
"As nurse, doctor
LAS nurse"
II should see YOU, sometimes:
"Frequently-twice week at least.
Hilda pondered a second or two and
then came forward with glistening eyes
and red lips apart.
Doctor" she said, IL will Try it."
And so Clement Harrisons grand
daughter donned a little muslin cap. prin,
dress and a white rlffied apron of the ST.
Francesca corps Of nurses, and set dill
gently to work, earning her own living.
A year had passed by, and DR.. Wal
lace had sent word that nurse was
wanted for q smallpox case in the city.
The Sister Superior of the ST. Francesca
looked obviously at her women.
who will go:" said she-and Hilda
Harrison stepped forward.
II will" said she, Il have no fears OF
the contagion. and want to add TO my
experience.
So little Hilda packed her bag and
went.
The housekeeper of the great Fifth
Avenue Palace was ringing her hands,
half terrified out of the senses; the other
servants had taken precipitate leave.
And Miss Lenox went this morning,
said she. "l should think she might
have stayed,
Who is Miss Lenox." questioned in
nocent Hilda.
The old gen,lemans grand d-daughter
that he has brought up and petted like a
cosset lamb" said Mrs. Hurst "Oh,
the ingratitude of some folks. And II
Judge Harrison dies
Hilda looked up quickly from the bot.
ties of carbolic acid she was unpacking.
''ls this Judge Harrison's house" she
asked.
why of course it is" answered Mrs
Hurst. Didn't you know:
No. did not know" Hilda said
But of course it makes no difference
whose house it is.
Who are YOU Judge Harrison asked
hoarsely, as the light foot crossed the
threshold.
Il am the nurse from St. Francesca's
they called me Hilda."
"Hllda what.
Never mind my other name, said tht
young girl, with gentle authority tha
had come to her from months of practice
at weary sick beds. They call me Hild'
and YOU are not to excite yourself"
"Do you know you are running a grea
risk"
1T is my business to run risks
Three weeks elapsed. The crisis o
the disease had passed: the old mar
weakened indeed, and sadly disfgurec
was able once more to sit up in his cas-!
chair, and Hilda who had watched owe
him with a vigilance and tenderness
which he fully appreciated, was arrang
ing fresh flowers in vase on the table
"Hilda," said he slowly, "where ha'
my grand d-daughter Marian been all thi
time"
"She went away, sir, when you wer,
first taken i'll. She was afraid of the dis
ease"
"And left me:
"And left you"
There was gratitude. he muttered
hoarsely. "And when is she coming
back"
Hilda laid down her roses, and looked
with pathetic feeling eyes at him.
''She will not come at all" she answer
ed. "We dared not tell you before bu
her flight was in vain. She died O
smallpox last week"
The old man turned away with smoth
ering groan.
"Hilda," said he, ''will you stay wit
me. You will not leave me alone. Nay
do not speak. know who you are.
recognized your name when you first came