Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-21

Miss Carter had already reached the
house and was with the little patient.
Even on this Christmas day she had
laid aside self and given herself up for
others, while Miss Roland (whom I al
ways mentally contrasted with Miss Car
ter now had told me she expected to go
to New York at Christmas to hear great
pianist. How the difference in their
aims struck me now!
When we reached the house I walked
lightly over the grass and looked in at
the window. [ heard a sweet woman's
voice speaking in tones too reverent for
ordinary converse, and [ at once OWNED
that Miss Carter was praying. Laying
my hand warningly on Tommys shout
der, went step nearer and looked in at
the window. This was what saw.
The children, with serious awe-struck
faces, gathered round the mother, on
whose lap lay the i'll child, white and still
as death.
In their midst was slender, graceful
woman's figure. Her back was turned
her figure, and also the delicate beauty
of the fair hand that held the book from
which she read. AS I looked she
paused, and after a moments intense
silence, she rose from her knees, the lit
tie group initiating her. She turned to
the mother then, and said gently:
Let me have baby now, you must be
50 tired"
My eyes had been for the moment
turned upon the child in keen profess
sional scrutiny, but at the nearer sound
of that soft voice, with it's distinct utter
ance and refined and gentle ring, L
glanced swiftly at the speaker. It was
Miss Roland.
[ drew back from the window and sank
upon the doorstep in utter bewilderment,
/ sat for moment buried in deep, con-
fused thoughts, from which [ was arous-
ed by the sound of coming footsteps,
and looking up saw two or three of the
children coming out [ rose swiftly to
my feet, collected my scattered senses
and went in.
Miss Roland was seated, with the baby
in her lap, bending her head above it in
passion of tender pity; her lips were
quivering with emotion and her dark
eyes looked down through tears. The
mother sat by, her dry eyes fixed upon
the infants face, her body rocking to
and fro in nervous pain.
AS l entered Miss Roland looked up.
"Oh, doctor, I'm so glad you've
come," she said, in utter forgetfulness of
the part she had been playing. "You
will tell us what to do"
In spite of my perfect knowledge that
the welcome was for the physician, not
the man, the gladness in her face at sight
| of me gave me a quick, vivid Joy.
| For an hour longer L remained with the
child, applying restoratives, which in
the end proved effectual; the feeble pulse
| began to beat more strongly, faint
color crept into the little face and the
sinking spell passed. The child fell into
healthful slumber, and for the time
danger was over.
All this time Miss Roland and myself
bad not spoken except for the few brief
words of direction that I gave, and which
she executed with the utmost skill and
tenderness.
AS soon as the patient was asleep and
there was nothing more to be done, [
missed Miss Roland from the room and
heard fleet footstep passing the door.
Hurriedly bidding Tommy follow with
my horse 7 walked after her.
Before | had reached and spoken to
her-from the sight of her back, merely
4 realized that it was not Miss Carter,
but Miss Roland, in propria persona.
The erect, somewhat defiant poise of the
dainty head which [ had seen but now
with that Madonna droop; the lofty poise
of the parasol above, and the swift feet
ness of the little snugly clad feet all De-
spoke the utter rout of the nurse and
sister of mercy, and the complete rein
statement of the woman of the world. AS
[ gained her side and walked along by
her, l said In an easy, natural tone:
"By the way, how do they happen to
call you Miss Carter?'
Because it happens to be my
name"
"Then, I've known you under an
alias, and you are not Miss Roland?''
Con the contrary, / am Miss Roland
and Miss Carter as well"
"Indeed! Miss Roland Carter, or
Miss Carter Roland?"
[ was pleased to observe that she
look vexed.
HMy name is Ada Carter Roland"
"Thank you" said. I" It is salts
faction to know. But why do these
people call you by your middle name ?"
She flushed wildly, but she was too
proud to turn her head away. So she
looked directly at me as she said:
81 told them to. It is a familiar
name to them. There are many Carriers
about here. 1t is Virginian name"
WAS their convenience your only
reason"
didn't know how she would have an
swered, for just at this moment Tommy
Riggs galloped up with my horse.
"Here is your horse" she said quiet
! ~, hadn't you better get on"
For answer beckoned to Tommy and
told him to take my horse home, saying
that would walk home with Miss Car
ter.
We watched Tommy out of sight and
then, as we had come to quiet place,
sheltered from the slight gusts of wind