Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-08-16
JOHN WARES NURSE.


Aleernon Mowry was very much ashamed
OF 1t.
Mrs. Mowry was quite content, that
''her husbands niecen should pay her
board bill. The money was very accept
able to them in their narrow circum-
stances. But for the life Of her Mrs.
Mowry could not see why Joanna
preferred to earn her own living when
she had brother able to support her.
This little studio was a very pretty
place. The bare floor was patched with
bright-oolored rugs the walls were
tinted delicate blue, bordered with
harmonious bands Of gold and crimson.
There was one wide window to the
front, and near it, at her easel, Joanna
sat one sweet April morning, finishing
birthday card in water oolors.
From time to time she would pause at
her work, and leaning back in her chair
she would watch the builders over the
way.
Some one had bought the corner lot
and the two lots adjacent to it on the
main and side streets. Within the past
six weeks charming little Queen Anne
cottage had sprung up as if by magic.
Rumor said it was being built for q
gentleman from Washington.
He must be man of TASTE" Joanna
thought, as she took in the graceful effect
of the building even in its unfinished
state.
."How should like to live in house
like that Tiles and terra-ootta and low
down CRATES That ought to make life
worth living for"
She smiled at her own fanoies as she
took up her brush.
When she looked up again the men
were hoisting some heavy framework by
means Of pulley.
"Look out!' cried tall, manly fellow
on the roof, who lowered head and
shoulders above his comrades.
He WAS a well,made man, with rich
bronze skin and full brown beard that
had concealed his fnely-shaped neck.
The only parts of his dress visible were
a blue jacket and pair of overalls.
"They have got new workman p
Joanna observed, idly. "What splendid
fellow he is l wonder what business 8
carpenter has with face and figure like
that Sometimes it seems to me thai
nature blunders sadly"
The stalwart carpenter disappeared in
the meanwhile, and then Joanna left hei
work.
81 wish the Palette Club didn't NEE
this afternoon" she murmured, as sh,
passed into the next room and began Il
unplait her long, thick, yellow braids.
Her toilet was simple, but somehow i
went forward slowly. She felt rattle
dull that day, and as she smoothed he
hair in a very leisurely fashion sh
murmured to herself
'Heigho for the holly!
Most friendship is teigning,
Most love mere folIyr"
so she went on, placidly pinning NJ
her braids again, and never dreaming 0
what had happened since she left tn
window until her cousin Mabel cam
bursting into the room with terrified
panic-strioken face.
Joanna 70 she cried, hysterieally
"nome down stairs One of the workme
has fallen of the new house, and they'y
brought him here.''
"Good heavens % Joanna exclaimed
sis he hurt 2"
u don't know" Mabel answered, wit
burst of tears. "He's all covered wit
dirt and blood-and-and he lust look
awful
Joanna went down stairs and met he
aunt In the hall. Mrs. Mowry was on tn
verge Of Mysteries.
do go in and see what they al
doing !" she cried. "Good heavens
who would have dreamed ofeuch thing
And all these men with their mudd
boots trsmping over my carpet"
Where have they taken him to
Joanna asked, as she turned with il
disguised contempt.
"lnto the library" sobbed Mr.
Mowry. "oh, don't know how you ca
possibly bear to go in My nerves coul
not endure it."
But Joanna pushed past her wi,
prompt determination. AS she entert
the room she saw little rror-stricke
group OF men with blue blouses and owe
ais about the lounge on which IL
injured man was lying.
she took several steps toward the
and then low, startled cry escaped h
lips. 1t WAS the handsome young wor,
man whose splendid physique she hi
admired only halt an hour previous, a,
There he lay, crushed and bleeding.
"Have you sent for the doctor ?'' d
said, as she dropped on her knees best
the insensible form.
fes'm," answered one of the wor
men, who stood near his head, "Y
sent right off,
who is this man ?" she asked quickl
"Where does he live 2"
"This man, here l dunno ma al
His names John Ware. He is a ne
hand. We don't know nothing abo
him. He was kind of bossy chap, al
yet he didn't seem to know so ail.fr
much, either-did he, Ely 7"
Don't you know any Of his friends
Joanna asked.
u couldn't tell you ma'am, dor
know nothing about him"
The doctor came, and his verdict was
grave one. Joanna came outwith pa
resolute face.
"Aunt Margaret, she said, "they
going to take him up to my room"
"What ~ Mrs. Mowryss Screamed, il
spasm OF hysterical horror. 'tJosnr
are you mad 2"
He says he has no friends in the CT
and, anyhow, the doctor says it might
fatal to move him from the house. 7
slightest jar makes him suTer unspei
able agony
"But, Joanna, it is utterly impossil
for us to keep him here. Think of the
OF the eA pense. He is only labori
man, and"
81 will bear whatever expense |
being here will entail upon you"
"But suppose he dies on your hand
Or he may lie here for weeks a
months For heavens sake send him
the hospital I"
81 cannot think of doing anything
inhuman. He may occupy my roo
Aunt Margaret. Do not distress yours
about it. | will see that he does /
occasion you the slightest annoyance. u
SO John Ware was installed In the lit
bedroom back OF the studio, and I
doctor came and went for weeks before
was really known that the patient won
recover.
Joanna nursed him with uatiring dev
tion.
"You really think he will get we
now ~ she asked, with womanly tears
her bright eyes.
The doctor tock her hand and press
1t warmly. -...-
eyes" he answered, "and thanks
your
The patient had been sleeping, b
now he opened his eyes and they fell
the pale face of Joanna.
81 was just saying, my friend
observed the doctor, releasing Joann
slim fingers to take up John Ware's fin,
shaped hand which WAS now IS white
msrble-'I was just now saying that y
owe your life more to Miss Blight, he
than you do to me.''
The handsome fellow gave her 10