The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-01


the long hours until the dawn broke; her
II limbs began to tremble beneath her weight
she was overcome by fatigue, when at las,
he wakened to find her still standing.
How long have slept?" he asked.
-Four hours, think" she answered.
"Andsyop have stood I'll that time Z"
SCI feared to swaken YOU" u 5AF Il, b
He made no reply but lifted tho little
hand to his lips and kissed it.
"How long have I been ill9" he ques-
toned, later.
almost three weeks, sir.
"And they brought me to Oak Lawn;
remember that; but Mrs. Ridley and the
girls-where are they?' !? I.
s"You know them, then, sir2"' That is
strange. for Mrs. Ridley did not seem to
recognize you; but they are very busy now;
they are expecting the return Of the young
heir to Ronald's Manor, who is to be laden
down with festivities.
"Shades of my grandfather! What have
I done to deserve thisp'". $500 '.-'
What do you mean?"
"Only TINT am Rex Reynolds, und that
I could almost bless the wound which has
given me this respite. ! was on my way to
call, when that stupid qamekeeper mistook
me for q partridge and put bullet through
my arm.
"And you are Mr. Reynolds? =, Oh, how
sorry they will be!'
"What! Why thought you told me
they were kind enough to count on my re-
turn?"
"Yes, yes-but sorry they could not have
helped me nurse you. I-I-docror -
But the new conner upon the scene had
barely time to catch In his strong arms the
slight young form before it would have
fallen heavily to the floor.
| Used up" he sail. with an ominous
shake of his head. Il don't think she has
slept six hours in week. You have
given me two patients, young man, but I
tell you one thing-she has saved the sex
ton and the grave digger one."
With which cheerful honily, he strove to
bring back life and consciousness.
But the doctor could no longer complain
of lack of nurses. Now that his patient
was convalescent, and that he had acknowl-
edged his identity, they swarmed about him
| like bees in hive.
May succeeded Ella, and Ella May,
while Mrs. Ridley hustled about, all moth
erly kindness.
"It's too bad, Rex!' she would declare.
I know the girls would have helped you
get we'll sooner; but really you looked SO
and am SO guarded with them"
To MI of which the young man listened
silently. Day after day he missed his gen.
tie little nurse. Tho thought that she was
i'll and suffering because of her faithfulness
to him distracted him. He would rather
sleep than wakeh, for in his dreams she
came to him, and once again he could feel
the veivety touch of the small white hand.
But it was almost harder when, through
the doctor, he learned that she had re-
covered and had resumed her usual duties,
though not to him. His room saw her no
more.
Once he ventured to speak to Mrs.
Ridley.
"She is occupied With the children, she
answered. "They have already lost too
much h time" 4
Mamma, she must have suspected all
a'opg!" said May.
mink" said Ella.
Never mind, my dears. He was delirious
most of the time, and, besides, he is not
likely to see her again."
Which prophecy seemed in fair way of
being carried out; for when, fortnight
later, his health gave him no further excuse
for remaining at Oak Lawn, and he returned
to Ronald Manor, he had not been able to
see Rhona, for few simple words of
thanks.
In her own room she heard the sound
of carriage wheels bearing him away, and
quick pang of pain darted through her
heart.
"Ah, he is mani" she whispered. He
forgets' but I--remember!"
But next day she came in from solitary
raGable witk flushed cheek and sparkling
eye. What had she seen in her walk? Per-
haps he bad not forgotten!
The master of Ronald Manor was af-
fanced. How the rumor spread, none knew;
but all learned it, as they understood that
grand ball, to be preceded by tableaux,
was to be given in honor of his fance.
TWAS o crushing blow to Mrs. Ridley;
but she was already looking into the
future.
Never mind, my dears!" she said to her
disappointed daughters. "We must make
ourselves vastly agreeable, and propitiate
her all in our ability, for she will be pow.
er in the neightorhood."
The eventful evening came at last. A
tiutter of curiosity prevailed the elegant
asssmblage as they sat in the ball room,
waiting the rising CT the curtain upon the
tableaux; for it was suspected that in
some one of them would be found the
victor Of the prize.
At last the curtain rose and fell. Picture
succeeded picture. All were beautiful and
won enthusiastic applaudits.
Then the last was announced. It was
The Sleeping Beauty" The curtain lift
ed. Upon q couch lay a young girl, Sleep
log, her lips half parted in a smile; her
long, yellow hair, unbound, covered her
like a veil, and falling swept the focr.
People held their breath. She was the
impersonation of an exquisite dream. Who
was she? Who could she be? -Four alone
OF all that glittering multitude knew, and
three women turned white with envious
wrath. The man was glad for the little
girls luck.
The curtain fell, but rose again upon the |
prince, who came to rouse her with kiss. !
1t was their host, but when he had awakened |
her, he proudly slipped her hand within |
his arm, and led her out among his friends. |
1t was Rhona Armstrong, Mrs. .Rid]ey's last |
governess.
But how had she captured him?" asked |
one of the dear five hundred.
"She nursed him when he was i'll, an
swered Ms. Ridley; "and between you and |
me, my dear, don't think he's quite re-
covered from his delir1um yet"
Nor ever will, I trust," broke in the |
clear voice of her recent guest. Mrs. Rid
ley, by-the-wa you have not yet congratu-
lated my BRIDE"
Which Mrs. Ridley forthwith proceeded
to do, in her most honeyed accents and |
her most gracious smiles; for had she not |
that she would be power in |
the neighborhood, and were not her daugh-
ters still upon her hands?
Oh, heart of woman! truly thou art most |
fearfully and intricately made!
Bits of Fun.