The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-07-06

CdItlul nursing. I1cT IINlIIs WcIt III
cessant, and Clare could gather from
them that the surroundings of her life
must have been elegant and refined, but
no clue as to her name. Clare's devo-
ton had its origin in her pity and char
ity, but indeed she felt the necessity of
the occupation afforded her By this good
action, to fill the void left in her heart
by the first great grief of her life.
Clare Rainsford was an orphan, her
parents having died when she was at an
early age. She spent year alternately
at her paternal uncle, Mr.. Rainsford's
old home in Chestnut HILL and at her
maternal uncle, Mr.. Dickson's farm in
Buckinghamshire.
At Chestnut Hill she had met Philip
Everett, and after short courtship, ac-
cepted him as her lover. No girl was
happier than Clare. She loved Philip
with the whole strength OF her strong
heart, and she knew that she was be-
loved by him.
In the midst of her JOY she received a
letter from her lovers mother forbid
ding the cn@a cement, and charging her,
ii she loved Pnilip unseltishly, to break
It; otherwise she would destroy his pros
poets in life. for his mother would disin-
herit him and his friends forsake him.
Clare could bring her husband abso-
lutely nothing but her worth and beauty,
for both her uncles were in Strengthened
'circumsta stances, while Philip moved in the
highest and wealthiest circles.
She sent the letter and engagement
ring to him, and Immediately went to
Uncle Dickson's, charging her Uncle
Rainsford to reveal TO no one the place
of her retreat.
Lnc care OF the SICK woman, anu the
consciousness OF having done n good ac-
ton, often relieved her young heart; but
the wound remained in it.
After awhile the invalid recovered so
far that she could sit in q chair in her
room.
She merely said that she had met with
an accident to the head some months be-
fore, which affected her intellect. She
had vague recollection OF having wand
cred far and long from her home.
She had just confided these facts to
Clare, but as n little talking exhausted
her. she could not mention who she was
or where she lived.
She had become extraordinarily at
tached to Glare, and would lie back on
the pillows of her easy-chair, regarding
her with fixed look of love and graft
tude.
As she now sank into a doze, Glare
noiselessly left the room and went out
for walk.
Half an hour later, a handsome young
gentleman, mounted on fine horse,
stopped at the gate, and dismounting,
tied the animal to post. He then walk
ed quickly up the path and marched in
to the room where Aunt Martha was
busting the furniture.
miss Dickson?" taking off his hat.
"I'm Miss Dickson" said that lady.
"Well, madam, about month ago,
my mother. who had become somewhat
deranged from an accident to her head,
wandered away from home. All this
time we have been unable to find her;
but had traced her to this neighbour
hood, and but an hour ago Learned that
you had charitably given shelter to one
who seems to answer her description.
For Heavens sake, madam. tell me! We
are all nearly crazy about it..
He was very agitated, and spoke most
eagerly indeed, with tears in his eyes.
Aunt Martha dropped the duster and
said,-
when this old woman came, all torn
with travel and all over mud, says this
is a tramp; and l do be down on tramps,
young man. Sol won't deny it told
the poor, sick old soul to be off out of
the place, as suppose others did before
me. But my neice, Clare, how she did
flare up, and wouldn't let her go. And
l thank Heaven she didn't go, for she
was near deaths door. didn't meant
hard. young man; but tramps is my
abomination. Well, my neice Clare she
says, This amt no tramp aunt! and she
hung on to the poor old woman and
nursed her, and kept death away from
her, and did as much rs if she was her
child. Now you come up stairs, but
don't make no noise. You see, we in
tended to ask her name and where she
came from, this very day. If it is your
mother don't give her no shock, and
creep up easy. Laws how you're trem-
bling!"
He was trembling, indeed, with love
and fear. He pictured his mother, bag.
gard, white, weak. merely paroled for
u llluc w ucttL, DcloIc TIC Hiduc ncl
prisoner for aye.
He stood in the doorway; and prop
ped up By pillows in the big armchair by
the window sat his mother-pale, indeed,
but country air and wholesome food, and
above oil, devoted nursing, had called
back into her face an expression she had
wanted before sine wandered away. 1t
was plain to her sons loving eyes that
she was on the high road to complete re-
covery.
At the moment, she opened her eyes,
and mother and son gazed on each other;
then, with cry of love and joy, the son
was knecling beside the chair of the
mother whom he had almost worship
ped all his life.
Miss Dickson waited for some few
minutes, to be on hand If the old lady
tainted; but she did nothing of the Sort
She cried over her son, and called him
by name again and again. Then Aunt
Martha slipped downstairs, and out in
a. Al