Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-06-21

A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE.

anu sue vas VI illB, quietly, beneath the
parasol, which she held well over her
eyes. Presently the carriage turned up
one of the substantial side streets, and
stopped in front of prosperous-look-
ing house. The door was painted a
dark green, and on it was a brass plate,
bearing this inscription: "Mr. Edgar 5
Home for Trained Nurses Mrs. Con.
ington quickly left her carriage, rang
the bell at the door, and was immed-
lately admitted. She was shown into
the ''oflice,n where she found Mr..
Edgar and his lady superintendent,
both apparently very busy at large
writing tables.
III want nurse, Mr.. Edgar" said
Zoe Conington rather helplessly. She
knew her eyes were red, and she did
not like the feeling.
Certainly said Mr.. Edgar; ''what
sort of caseP'
lit is for my sister, said Zoe. /
really don't understand 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. / be-
lieve he is an old fogy, and does not un-
derstand the case"
Then you want nurse of exper-
ience?" said Mr.. Edgar.
Exactly" said Zoe eagerly, land
/ should be so glad if | could have one
that is ladylike as well-not common
hospital nurse. You see my sister is
quite alone, without any lady 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 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
good family. | feel sure YOU will like
her. Come in, Miss Harcourt," as the
nurse thus named entered. This lady
wants you to 60 to her sister"
what is the case, sir?H said Nurse
HarcOurt
ut is said to be an9mia.
IL can undertake that think, sir.'
"Of course you can, put in the lady
superintendent.
Zoe had quickly taken taken in the
girls appearance. She was slender,
active, with an intelligent and inter-
esting face Her features were not
good, yet there was charm of color
about her. She had large and very
dark eyes, and strong dark eyebrows;
while her thick halr, cut quite short,
was all bright with warm gold and
red. This certainly was not Zoe's
idea of common hospital nurse
81 don't know whether | ought to
say so, said she to the nurse, .'but
don't think the doctor understands the
So -
Eyes; in the hospital said Nurse
Harcourt, land | 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 Zoe, ''and write or telegraph to
me direct, as you think fit. If there is
any mistake being made in the treat
ment, | will send down a physician at
once. win you undertake this?'
Yes said Nurse Harcourt, with q
quick, bright smile; II think | can
undertake that. Shall | get ready.
sir?"
what station asked Mr.. Edgar,
armed with an "A. b. o. and magni-
hcent glass.
'Lostayvil," said Zoe, somewhere
near Penzance-a wretched little river
fishing-place. People ought not to 90
so far away from everybody. Is there
any chance of her getting there to-
night?"
''Lostayvil-oh, yes; she can get there
at 10. 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 telegraph
Office, and sent wire to her brother
in law: From Zoe Conington, Hyde
Park Gate, to Edward Mertoun, The
Old Hall, Lostayvil. Your account of
Agatha has alarmed me exceedingly.
! am sending her nurse, as think it
may be comfort She will arrive at
the Lostayyil station about 10. If you
cannot send for her, she will find some
conveyance"
Nurse Harcourt, dressed all in gray,
and with a gray veil over her bright
hair and clever face, caught the express
and took her seat without any fuss or
excitement, although she had only half
an hour to get ready to reach the station.
When she arrived at Lostayvil 1t was
clear, sweet night; the station seemed
TO stand alone on y fragrant and in
distinct desert, with no sign of any
houses near.
as there anything come TO fetch me,
from the Old Hall?" asked she, in her
clear, determined young voice.
Nothing at all, miss" said the soli-
tary porter. and then, after n seconds
pause, during which he shouldered her
box, $50 suppose yen so to the
hotel"
mo, indeed, !" said Ada, who imme-
diately suspected him. of being in the
pay of that same hotel, Il must 90 to
the Old Hall tonight. | suppose can
get something to drive imp
There's post-horses at the hotel, y
said the porter obviously.
Take me there, then" said Ada.
1t seemed to her that she walked about
mile and half after him over n
lonely road At last they arrived at an
inn entrance around which there were
some signs of sleepy village life. After
stern interview with the dull land
lord, Ada succeeded in getting him to
have out u ''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 con-
tinucd to indulge in until they arrived
at the Old Hail. taking the horses, at
rapid galIop, 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 glimpses of the winding silver stream
and the wooded hills about it, All was
very lovely; yet something in the aspect
of the Old Han made her shiver MS she
approached it, 1t 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
filled up her time by paying her driver
the fabulous sum he demanded of her
At last the door moved; it opened
slowly, and on the steps stood tai
man.
"Are you the nurse?n he said
Yes answered Ada.
Il didn't suppose you could get here
tonight. Wen, come in.
The coachman whipped up his horse:
in the familiar style and ratified away
\ servant who looked like a groom