The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-02
A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE.

park or the streets, yet Zoe Conington,
one of the greatest beauties in society,
was driving down dusty Oxford Street.
And she was crying 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 very neat and pros
perous-looking house. The door was
painted dark green, and on it was a
brass plate bearing this inscription:
I" 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 s. office" where she
found Mr.. Edgar and his lady superin-
tendant, both apparently very busy at
large writing-tables.
{" | 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 case?n
tbs for my sister," said Zoe. 81
really don understand what's the mat
ter They say she has what they call
anamia, and the doctor who attends
her fears she will not live long. be-
lieve he is an old fogy and does not I'M
derstand the case
Then you want nurse of expert
ence?' said Mr. Edgar.
Exactly" said Zoe, eagerly; "and
| should be so glad i'll could have one
that is lady-like as well-not common
hospital nurse. You see my sister is
quite alone, without any lady friend,
and | can't 90 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 a lady. We don't have many
like her. She belongs to good family.
/ feel sure you will like her. Come in,
Miss Harcourt,n as the nurse thus
named entered. "This lady wants YOU
to 60 to her sister,"
What is the case, sir?" said Nurse
Harcourt.
at is said to be anamia."
81 can undertake that, 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.
Her 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 common hospital
nurse"
Il don't know whether ought to say
so, SAID she to the nurse, ''but | don't
think the doctor understands the case.
Have you often nursed an@mia?'
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 treatment, /
will send down a physician at once.
Will you undertake this?'
YES" said Nurse Harcourt with a
quick, bright smile; | think | can
undertake that. Shall get ready,
sir?''
What station?" asked Mr.. Edgar.
armed with an "a. B. c." and mag
nificent glass.
"Lostayvil," said Zoe, somewhere
near Penzance-a wretched little river
tishing-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 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
Office, and sent a 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.
l am sending her nurse, as L think it
may be 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.
and with a gray veil over her bright
hair and clever face, caught the ex-
press, and took her seat without any
fuss or excitement, although she had
only half an hour to get ready and
reach the station in. When she arrived
at Lostayvil it was clear, sweet night:
the station seemed to stand alone on a
fragrant and indistinct desert, with no
sign of any houses near.
us there anything come to fetch me
from the Old Hall?" 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, ''so l suppose yen go to
the hotel"
No, indeed" said Ada, who i'm
mediately suspected him of being in
the pay of that same hotel. II must
go to the Old Hall tonight. | sup
pose ] can get something to drive in?''
There's post,horses at the hotel, -
said the porter, obviously.