The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-18
A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE.


A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE.
It was hot, weary morning at the far end
Of tho london season There were not very
many carriages left in the park or the streets;
yet Zoe Conington, one of the greatest beauties
In society, was driving down dusty Oxford
street And she crying quietly. beneath the
parasol, which she held we'll over her eyes.
Presently the carriage turned up one of the
substantial side streets, and stopped in front OF
. very neat and prosperous-looking house.
The door was painted q dark green, and on it
was brass plate, bearing this inscription:
''Mr. Edgar's Home for Trained Nurses" Mrs
Conington quickly left her carriage, rang the
bell at the door, and was immediately admitted.
She was shown into the "ofice," where she
found Mr.. Edgar and his lady superintendent
both apparently very busy at large writing
tables.
II want nurse, Mr.. Edgar" said Zoe Con-
ington rather helplessly. She knew her eyes
were red, and she did not like the feeling.
Certainly" said Mr.. Edgar; ''what sort of
oase?"
is for my sister," said Zoe. IT really
don't understand what's the matter They say
she has what they call anema, and the doctor
who attends her fears she will not live long. I
believe he is an old fogey. and does not under
stand the case"
.eThen you want nurse of experience?"
said Mr.. Edgar.
- "E1sct1y,," said Zoe eagerly, s.and should
- well-not . common hospital nurse. You
see my sister is quite alone, without anv ladv
friend, and can't go to her because her hus-
band doesn't like me-"
,'Nurse .Harcourt," said Mr.: Edgar to the
lady superintendent, who nodded and rang q
bell. ''she is exactly what you want, he added,
turning to Zoe. ''She is an experienced and
clever nurse, and she is lady. We don't
have many like her. She belongs to a good
family. | feel sure you will like her. Come
in, Miss Harcourt," as the nurse thus named
entered. ''This lady wants you to go to her
sister"
''What is the case. sir?" said Nurse Har-
court -.
II oan undertake that, think, sir"
''of course you can" put in the LADY super
Eos had quickly taken in the girls apnear.
ance. She was slender, active, with an intelli-
gent and interesting face. Her features we're
her: She had large aud very dark eyes, and
strong dark eyebrows: while her thick hair.
out quite Short was all bright with warm
gold and red. This certainly was not Zoes
idea Of common hospital nurse"
II don't know whether ought to say go"
said she to the nurse, ''but I don't think the
doctor understands the case. Have you often
nureed an@mia?"
eyes; in the hospital" said Nurse Harcourt:
"snd I have had cases since in which it was
present don't think should be easily de-
ceived in it.
'Then you must have my address, !" said
Zoe; land write or telegraph to me direct IA
You think fit If there is auy mistake being
made in the treatment, will send down ply
SLOAN at once. Will you undertake this Pr,
''Yes." said Nurse Harcourt with quick.
bright smile; T think I can undertake that
Shall I get ready, STRIP
What station asked Mr.. Edgar, armed with
an "A. B. G. and magnificent glass.
Lostayvil,' said Zoe, somewhere near PEN
xance-a wretched little river fishing-place.
People ought not to go so far away from every.
body. L. there any chance of her getting there
to-night?'
"Lostay vil-oh, yes; she can get there at 10.
have some sandwiches made up to take with
her." he said to tho Lady Superintendent who
rose ard hurried away, pen in hand, to give
orders.
Mrs conington drove to q telegraph office,
and sent q "wire" to her brother in law: From
Zoe Conipgton, Hyde Park Gate, to Edward
Nerroun, The Old Hall, Lostayvil. Your &C.
count of Agatha has alarmed me exceedingly.
am sending her nurse, as I think it may be
comfort She will arrive at the Lostayyil
station about 10. II you caunot send for her.
she will find some conveyance"
Nurse Harcourt, dressed all in gray, and
With q gray veil over her bright hair and clever
face, caught the express, aud took her seat
without any fuss or excitement, although she
station. When she arrived at Lostayvile it
was = clear, sweet night; the station seemed
to stand alone on fragrant and indistinct
desert, with no sign Of any houses near
"1s there anything come to fetch me from
the Old Hall?" asked she, in her clear. de-
iprTnine0 vnnnp vOjca
''Nothing at all, miss" said the solitary por
ter. and then, after seconds pause, during
which he shouidered her box, $50 Isuppose
yell go to the hotel"
suspected him Of being in the pay of that same
hotel, 81 must go to the Old Hall tonight I
suppose can get something to drive IMP"
There's post-horses at the hotel" said the
porter obviously.
"Take me there, them" eaid Ada 1t seemed
to her that she walked about mile and a LaIf
aften him over lonely road. At last they ar
rived at an inn entrance around which there
were some signs of sleepy village life After
q stern interview with the dull landlord, Ada
''po'shay" and two horses for her drivor
was extracted from the bar where he was
drinking; he came out sury, and, getting on
the box after Ada aud her luggage had boen
wal ing some time in the SHAY" began to
whip the berses. This amusement he contin-
ned to indulge in until they arrived at the Old
Hall, taking tho horses, at rapid gallop.. up
hill and down dale.
The Old Hall stood high, with wide lawn
about it, dotted by clumps Of fine trees. On
the way Ada was charmed by glin,pses of the
winding silver stream and the wooded bills
about it, All was very lovely; vet something
in tho aspect of the Old Hall made her SILVER as
she approached it. II was very dark: only
one window seemed dimly lit: the front door
appeared to be Theoretically sealed. But Ada
eoursgeousy rang and knocked and while she
waitsd for an answer filled up the time by
paying her curly driver the fabulous sum he
demanded OF her. At last tho door moved; it
opened slowly, and on the steps stood tall
man.
caro- you tho nurse?" he said.
'Yea,1 answered Ada.
II didn't suppose you could get here to-
night Well, come in.
Tho coichman whipped up his horses in the
familiar style and ratified aHay A servant
who locked like groom csme out and lifted
Adas box into tho hall. lamp stood on a
table there. aud by its light Ada tried to dis
cover what sort of house she was in She was
standing in a big, old-fashioned hall or house,
place. Opposite her. his hands deeply buried
in his pocket, stood the man who was evidently
master.
"I told che maid to get a room ready for
.ycv.' he said. "'1he man shall light you up
the:e, and you can zee my wife 10 the morning
Shall he bring you some snppery"
"If you please,'" aaid Ads. "'First I'll
70 to my patient ct once"
"Nonsense! said hi. Mertoun; ".you
aust sleep aftor a journeJ.'"
"'But 1t is my duty to SEQ hcr first, if you
please, SIR"
Ada followed the man servant I'M stairs to n