Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-15
MISS HARCOURT.

M1SS 1AhCOUh1.
It was soft, hazy morning at the far
end of the London season. There were
not very many carriages left in the park
or the streets; yet Mrs. Zoe Conington
one of the greatest beauties in society
was driving down dry Oxford street And
she was crying, quietly, beneath the para
sol, which she held we'll over her eyes,
Presently the carriage turned up one of
the substantial side streets and stopped in
front off very neat and prosperous looking
house. The door was painted dark green
and on it was a brass plate, bearing this
inscription: "Mr. Edgar's Home for
Trained Nurses" Mrs. Conington quick
ly 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-
tendent, both apparently very busy at
| large writing tables.
II want nurse, Mr.. Edgar said Zoe
| Coniugton, rather helplessly. She knew
her eyes were red and she did not like the
feeling.
"Certainly." said Mr.. Edgar; ''what
. sort of case 20
'It is for my sister,. said Zoe, II really
don't understand what's the matter
They say she has what they call anenia
and the doctor who attends her fears she
will not live long. believe he is an
old fogy and does not understand the
CASE"
"Then you want nurse of experience?'
said Mr.. Edgar.
EXACTLY" said Zoe eagerly; land 1
should be so glad if could have one that
is ladylike as weil-not common hospital
nurse. You see my sister is quite alone
without lady friend, and I can't CO.
to her because her husband don'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. sShe
is an experienced and clever nurse, and
she is lady. We don't have many like
her. She belongs to a good family. I feel
sure you will like her. Come in, Miss
Harcourt,'' as the nurse thus named en-
tered; ''this lady wants you to 60 to her
sister,"
"What is the case, Sir 2n said Miss
Harcourt.
1T is said to be aE2mia.''
II can undertake that, think, Sir"
"Of COURSE you can" >put in the lady
superintendent.
Zoe had quickly taken in the girls ap-
pearance. She was slender, active, with
an intelligent, interesting face. Her
features were not good, yet there was
charm of color about her. She had large
and very dark eyes and strong dark eye
brows, while hel thick hair, cut quite
short, was all bright with warm gold and
red. This certainly was not Zoe's idea of
common hospital nurse"
II don't know whether ought to say
so,'' said she to the nurse. 'but 1 don't
think the doctor understands the case.
Have you often nursed anamia 20
'Yes, in the hospital, :" said Nurse Har-
court; land 1 have had cases since in
which 1t was present. 1 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 l will send
down physician at once. Will you I'M
dertake this ?"
YES" said Nurse Harcourt with a
quick. bright smile; 81 think can under
take that. Shall get ready, Sr?"
"What station 2" asked Mr.. Edgar,
armed with an "a. B. g." and a magni-
flying glass.
"Lostayvil." said Zoe. ''somew here near
Penzance-a wretched little river fishing
| place. People ought not to 60 so far
| away from everybody. Is there any chance
| of her getting there to-nightp"
"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
| ouPOllAGOdOCAps WIZ AOoO uAu huAAAOu
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, LostayviI. Your account of Agatha
has alarmed me exceedingly. am sending
her nurse. as think it may be COM
fort. She will arrive at the Lostayvil sta
tion about 10. If you cannot send for her
she will find some conveyance"
Nurse Harcourt. dressed all in gray,
and with gray vail over her bright hair
and clever face. caught the express, and
took her seat without any fuss or excite.
ment, although she only had 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 fragrant and indis-
tinct desert, with no sign of any houses
near.
SIS there anything come to fetch me
from the Old Hallp" asked she. in her
clear, determined young voice.
] "Notling at all, Miss" said the solita-
~ porter, and then, after a second g
pause, during which he shouldered her
box, $50 suppose yell 90 to the hotel.'
"No, indeed,' said Ada, who immedi.
ately suspected him of being in the pay of