The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-06-01
III r \ I :


turned up one Of the substantial side
streets, and stopped in front of a very
neat and prosperous-looking house.
The door was painted dark green, and
on it was brass plate, bearing this in
scription: ''Mr. Edgar's home for
Trained Nurses" Mrs. Conington
quickly left her carriage, rang the bell
at tile door, and was Immediately adj
mitted. She was..shown into the "office,"
where she found Mr.. Edger and his
Lady Superintendent, both apparently
very busy at large writing tables.
"I want nurse, Mr.. Edgar" said
Zoe Conington, rather helplessly. She
knew her eyes were red, and she did
no! cs as ihf fssi saia Mr.. Edgar; "wnat
sort Of case?"
at is for mp sister," said Zoe. II real
ly don't understand what's the matter
They say she has what you call anamia,
and the doctor who attends her fears she
will not live long. Ibelieve he is an old
fogy, ard does not understand the case. u
"Then you want a nurse of expert
ence!" said Mr.. Edgar.
exactly" said Zoe eagerly; "and
should he so glad if I could have one
that is ladylike as well-not common
hospital nurse. You see my sister is
quite alone, without any lady friend; and
I can't go.to her because her husband
doesn't like me-"
"Nurse Harcourt," said Mr.. Ed gar to the
Lady Superintendent, who nodded and
rang bell. "She is exactly what you
want" he added, turning to Zoe. 'She
is an experienced and clever nurse, and
she is a lady. We don't have manv like
her. She belongs to good family. /
feel sure you will like her. Come in,
Miss Harcourt," as the nurse thus
named entered.
"What is the case, sir?" said Nurse
Harcourt.
ut is said to be anmmia."
~ can undertake that, think, SIR"
"Of course you can," put in the Lady
Superintendent.
Zoe had quickly taken in the girls APP
pearance. She was slender, active
with an intelligent and interesting face
Her features were not good, yet there
was q charm of color about her. She
had large and very dark eyes, and
strong dark eyebrows; while her thick
hair, cut quite short, was all bright with
warm gold and led. This certainly was
not Zoe's idea of a common hospital
nurse"
- g" y don't know whether ought to say
&c." said she to the nurse, "but I don't
think the doctor understands the case.
Have you often nursed anmmia?'
eyes; in the hospital" said Nurse
Harcourt; "and I have had cases since
in which it was present. don't think
should be easily deceived in it,"
Then, you must have my address,
said Ipe; ''and write or telegraph me
direct, as you think fit. If there is any
mistake being made in the treatment, 1
Will send down q physician at once
Will you undertake this?"
EYES," said Nurse Harcourt, with q
quick, bright smile; 81 think can un
dertake that. Shall get ready, sir?"
{. what station?" asked Mr.. Edgar
armed with an "a, R, c." and magni:
ficent glass.
III SsLospt ayyi, said Zoe, somewhere p,
fishing place. People ought not to go 81
chance of her getting there Tonight"
"Lostayvil yes; she can get there
at ten o'clock The train starts in hal
an hour. She must have some eand
wiches made up to take with her." he
eaid to the Lady Superintendent. who
rose and hurried away pen in hand tt
give orders,
Mrs. Conington drove to telegraph
office, end sent wire" to her brother
in-law: "From Zoe Conington, Hyde
Park Gate, to Edward Merton, the Old
Fall Losiayvll-Your account of Agatha
has alarmed me exceedingly. am send
ing her anurse, as think it may be /.
comfort. She will arrive at the Lostay
vii station about ten O'clock. If you can
not send for her, she will find some
conveyance"
Nurse Harcourt dressed all in he
gray, and with gray veil over he
bright hair and clever face, caught til,
express, and took her seat without any
fuss or excitement, although she ha,
only half an hour to get ready and reacl
the station in. When she arrived a
Lostayvil it was clear, sweet night;
the station seemed to stand alone on s
fragrant and indistinct desert, with nc
sign Of any houses near.
" Is there anything come to fetch m
from the Old Hall?" asked she, in hel
clear, determined young voice.
Nothing at all, Miss" said the solita.
ry porter; and then, after second
pause. during which he shouldered he,
box. $50 suppose you'll go to the hotel.
enc, indeed" SAID Ada. who imned.
lately susoec.ud him Of beiu. the pay
Of that same hotel. ~ must go to the
ID nj To S~l~ r
something to drive in?:
said the porter obviously.
"Taie me there, then" sid Ada. It
seemed to her that she walkedlaboutamile
and q half alter him over lonely road
At last they arrived at all inn entrance
round which thera were some signs OF
sleepy village life. After stern inter-
view with the dull landlord, Ada sue.
ceeded in getting him to lave out 8
"'po'shay" and two horses for her. A
driver was extracted from the bar where
he was drinking. He came out surlv
and getting on the box after Ada and
her luggage had been waiting some time
IN tie shay" began to viii . tie horses
This amusement he continued to indulge
in until they arrived at the "Old Hali.'
taking the horses at a rapid gallon. ur
hill and down dale.
The Old Hall stood high, with a vide
lawn about it, dotted by cumts of fine
trees. On the way Ada was charmed by
glimpses Of the winding silver stream
and the wooded hills about it. All was
very lovely; yet something in the aspect
OF the Old Hall made her SILVER az she
approached it. It was very dark; only
one window seemed dimly lit; the front
door appeared to be Theoretically sealed
But Ada courageously rang and Knocked
and while she waited for an answer
filed up the time by paying her surly
driver the fabulous sum he demanded