The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-05-31
A NIGHT OF

OAhA
1t was a hot, weary morning at the
tar end of the London season. There
were not verymany carriages left in the
park or the streets, yet Zoe Conington,
n of the greatest beauties in society,
was driving down dusty Oxford Street.
And she was crying quietly, beneath
the parasol which she held well yer
her eyes. Presently the carriage turned
up one of the substantial side streets and
stoppedi in front of a very neat and pros
perous-looking house. The door was
painted a dark green, and on it was a
brass plate bearing this inscription:
"Mr. Edgar's Home for Trained Nurs-
es." Mrs. Conington quickly left her
carriage, rang the bell at the door, and
was Immediately admitted. She was
shown into the :" Office" where she
found Mr.. Edgar and his lady superin-
tendant, both apparently very busy at
large writing-tables.
I want a nurse, Mr.. Edgar said
Zoe lexington, rather helplessly. She
knew her eyes were red, and she did
not like the feeling.
"Certainly,' said MI. Edgar; "what
sort of case?"
1T is for my sister," said Zoe. "I
really northumberland what's the mat
ter. They say she has what they call
an@mia, and the doctor who attends
her fears she will not live long. I be-
lieve he is an old fogy and does not un-
derstand the case"
Then you want q nurse of expert
ence9' said>Mr. Edgar.
Exactly" said Zoe, eagerly; "and
should be so glad if 1 could have one
that is lady-like as well-not a common
hospital nurse. You see my sister is
quite alone, without any lady friend,
and I can't go to her because her hus-
band doesn't like me-"
"Nurse Rarcourt," said Mr.. Edgar
to the lady superintendent, who nodded
and rang a 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 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. ssThis lady wants you
TO go to her sister,"
What is the case, sirp'' said Nurse
Harcourt.
ut is said to be anemia."
II can undertake that, I think, SIR"
"Of course you can," put in the lady,
superintendent.
Zoe had quickly taken in the girls
appearance. She was slender, active,
with an intelligent and interesting face.
der features were not good, yet there
was a 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 red. This certainly was
not Zoe's idea of q common hospital
nurse"
81 don't know whetherI ought to saw
So, SAID she to the nurse, 'sbut I don't
think the doctor understands the case.
Have you often nursed an@miaP"
Eyes, in the hospital" said Nurse
Harcourt, 'sand l have had cases since
in which it was present. I don't think
l should be easily deceived in it."
Then you must have my address,"
said Zoe; and write or telegraph to me
direct, as you think fit. If there is any
mistake being made in the treatment, I
VIII send down a physician at once.
VIII you undertake thisP"
Eyes" said Nurse Harcourt with a
quick, bright smile; I think I can
undertake that. Shall 1 get ready,
sirp"
"What stationp".asked Mr.. Edgar.
armed with an ga. B. c." and a mag.
nificent glass.
"Lostayvil," said Zoe, somewhere
near Penzance-a wretched little river
fshingg-place. People ought not to go
so lar away from everybody. Is there
nightr'
"Lostayvil,-oh, yes; she can get
there at ten. The train starts in half an
hour. She must have some sandwiches
made up to take with her," he said to
the lady superintendent, who rose and
hurried away, pen in hand, to give
orders.
Mrs. Conington drove to a telegraph
ONCE, and sent a "wire" to her brother
1n-law: 3From Zoe Conington, Hyde
Park Gate, to Edward Mertoun, the
Old Hall, Lostayvil. Your account of
Agatha has alarmed me exceedingly.
1 am sending her a nurse, as I think it
may be a comfort. She will arrive at
the Lostayvil Station about ten. If YOU
cannot send for her, she will find some
conveyance"
Nurse Harcourt, dressed all in gray,
n with a gray veil over her bright
hair and clever face, caught the ex-
press, and o her seat without any
russ or excitement, although she had
only half an hour to get ready and
reach the station in. When she arrived
at Lostayvil it was a clear, sweet night;
the station seemed to stand alone on a
fragrant and indistinct desert, with no
sign of any houses near.
sis there anything come to fetch me
from the Old HallPn asked she, in her
clear, determined young voice.
Nothing at all, miss" said the
solitary porter; and then, after a
seconds pause during which he Shout
dered her box, $50 I suppose yell go to
the hotel"
mo, indeed" said Ada, who i'm
mediately suspected him of being in
the pay of that same hotel. sI must
60 to the Old Hall tonight. I ID
pose l can get something to drive IMP"
There's post-horses at the hotel,''
said the porter, obviously.
Take me there, them" said Ada, |
1t seemed to her that she walked about
a mile and a half after him over a
lonely road. At last they arrived at an
inn entrance round which there were
some signs of sleepy village life. After
q stern interview with the dull land
lord, Ada succeeded in getting him to
have out a .po'shay" and two horses
for her. A driver was extracted from
the bar where he was drinking; he came
out surly, and, getting on the box after
Ada and her luggage had been waiting
some time in the '.shay," began to
whip the horses. This amusement he
continued to indulge in until they ar
rived at the Old Hall, taking the horses
at a rapid gallop up hill and down dale.
The Old Hall stood high, with a WIDE
lawn about it, dotted by clumps of fine
trees. On the way Ada was charmed
with glimpses of the winding silver
stream and the wooded hills about it.
An was very lovely; yet something in