Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-13

don't take it to heart, dear. I didn't
mean to say anything to hurt your
feelings. You are 50 tender hearted,
Nell"
The poor young creature sobbed for
few moments unrestrainedly, and
while she was thus unobserving of
what ira spired about her, Mrs. Rem
ington lifted the decanter, took q long
drink from it, and set it back upon the
table again quietly.
! Mother" she said, wiping the tears
from her beautiful eyes -" mother, do
you love me as much as you usedP"
"Of course do, my darling Nellie"
fare you sure?''
..'Sure. Why, how queer Of you to
ask such a question"
mo, there is nothing queer in such
. question, for l have right to doubt
your love when you deceive me IS you
have deceived me to-day"
The woman looked guilty, but did
not hesitate to meet, as steadily IS she
could, the eyes Of her daughter. The
liquor she had been drinking was be-
ginning to make her defiant.
when l left here,'' said Nellie,
you promised to be good and let that
in the house."
She pointed to the decanter as she
spoke.
"Did ~" asked MIS-. Remington,
and her tone was thicker than before,
and her voice faltering. "Well, for.
got. Forgive me, Nellie-forgive mel"
Again the tears started to the girls
eyes, but she controlled herself, and.
going to the. table, removed the de-
canter. from it and placed it on the
mantel piece.
We will talk of this tomorrow,
mother" she said, sadly, drawing her
hands across her eyes; "you are in no
condition to talk now. You need sleep,
and must be helped to bed at once."
Before she had finished speaking, the
woman's head was over on one side,
and she was in a deep lethargy. Do
what she would, Nellie could not
arouse her She was compelled to lift
her almost bodily from the armchair
to the bed which stood at the further
end Of the room.
1t was difficult task for a Young.
ffrail girl like Nellie Remington, but
her desperation, perhaps gave her mo.
mcntary strength.
She succeeded in getting her unfor-
tunate mother to bed and covered
warmly. and then sat down by dull,
ha'f-dead fire in little rickety stove.
In this half-furnished, dreary room,
she sat for long time. with her face
buried in her hands, listening to the
besotted woman's heavy breathing.
She did not stir from the one posi-
ton as she sat there but kept her eyes
closed and her fingers pressed against
the lids.
BY and by footsteps were heard an.
preaching on the snow without, and
then knock sounded from the outside
door.
She started up, almost wildly, but
did not essay to answer the summons
till it was repeated, when she pushed
back her chair and rose to her feet.
'It is almost dark" she muttered,
sand some one is at the door, Who
can it be? Seldom does any one favor
us with call and the people had bet
ter remain at hOme.''
She silly struck light and went
to the door. Upon opening il. she
found a plcasant.faced young man |
standing without.
is his Miss Nellie Remipgton?n
injured the young man, respectfully.
THAT Is my name, SIR" answered |
MY name is Charles Bishop, and |
am the DOCTOR" said the young gem
tleman, giving her k cen look II have
at present among my patients person
who was saved from the wreck last
aight, and am recommended by Miss
Boyd to ask If cannot induce YOU to
sit up with him. lie is not at all dan
gerous, but still requires some atten-
ion, and, If you viii heso kind as to
let us have your services | am sure
the sick man viii see that you are well
paid for our troubie.n
1.-THE last clause Of your speech was
sir - said Nellie, haught-
lily. ''forI should not give my services
under such c rcums tances, at least,
for hire. am sorry that | must de-
cline to assist GU, as | am so engaged
that | cannot possibly leave home to-
night, but Tomorrow, perhaps, may
be enabled to help the unfortunate
man.
Dr.. Bishop looked disappointed.
II am sorry, Miss Remington ~ he |
said "for with a watchful attendant
tonight he will be considerably better
in the morning, and | do not really
know of any competent person, unless
it be Yourself"
Nellie smiled.
''Miss Boyd had evidently great
faith in the abilities of an entire
stranger. Perhaps he is correct in
her surmi~e: but really I am unable
to comply With your request"
The physician bowed and turned
away.
The young girl thought an instant
and recalled him.
lone moment, SIR" she said. "On |
second thoughts, may be able to ar
range it. Please be kind enough to
wait a moment.'
she left him standing outside near
the door and went back to the loom
where her mother lay. Going to The
bed, she bent over and looked into her
face. I he bre,jth ,ng came as labored
as before. The drunken woman was
still IN her stup0r.
"She will sleep till morning." MUIR
INJURED Nellie. II cannot rest if re-
tire. | can be Of service to this poor
man.. Then it is m, duty to attend
him."
She clos d the door between the
rooms as she went out, and, putting
on her hat and shawl, She Joined the
young ply
Pulling the outer door to she locked |
it and put the key in her pocket.
81 aIt ready, sir" she said, and then