Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-06-07

chain, wrote a prodigious Latin pre-
scriptlon and shook his head.
People made haste to vacate the
rooms in the immediate vicinity of
No. 80, and the Major began dimly
to comprehend, through mist that
was slowly gathering around his
brain that it was likely to go hard
with him. e.
81 will stay and nurse him, doctor.
have had the fever year or two
since, and do not fear it, and am very
handy with such people"
"But my child, you've no idea
what you are undertaking."
"Yes l have" answered the soft,
low tones and we must not let him
die for want of proper care"
SIS your aunt willing"
"Quite so.'
''1'hen you may try; but take my
word for it, you'll back down at the
end of the first week"
Major Martindale heard the words
spoken as if it were out of the clouds,
as he might have heard the thunder
Of the waves on the beach outside, or
the ringing of the church bells with
out at all connecting them with HIM
self. Strange what world Of dreams
and shadows his soul and brain had
entered into.
But one day he came back out Of
the darkness and the immensely, and
| the restless whirling to and fro Of
the waves Of life, weak and white,
and helpless as babe.
And there, sewing by the window,
sat soft-eyed young girl, all in white,
with glimmering hair, long lashes,
and deicately rounded features.
"Pardon me-" hoarsely uttered the
Major, with little souvenir of his
old courtesy and politeneSs, ''but l
don't know who you are" ....-
"Hush!' said the young lady gen.
tly, "you must not talk. l am here
to nurse YOU"
And then he found himself taking
a draught from her practiced fingers,
and then drifting Off to sleep.
81 have been very i'll haven't 2"
said ne, when the doctor came at
noon.
"You have been as close to the
Valley of the Shadow more than once
as man can be in this life," Doctor
Delagood answered gravely
The Major shuddered a little.
Heathenish old Sybarite as he. was
the idea of death appalled, him, and
he hardly cared to know how he had
stood to the solution of the great
problem.
"But YOU have pulled me through" /"
said he, with long breath.
"Yes. l and your patient little
nurse, who has just gone for a hall
an hours sleep"
"Who is she, doctor?" asked the
Major anxiously.
''She is a niece of one of the lady
boarlers. Martin, | think they call.
ed her. Her aunt went:away as soon
as the burma g fever declared itself
hut this girl would not let any one
suffer for want of care and nursing,
so she courageously stayed to take
care Of YOU"
"Why did she do that?" asked the
Major, little lump rising in his
throat.
"Why did Florence Nightingale &C
to the Crimea? Why are all women
born heroines at heart?'' retorted the
doctor.
"God bless her!- muttered the Ma.
jor.
And then he turned his head to one
side and big drop or two splashed
down on the pillow,
Day by day he lay there in a slow
convalescence, while the pretty young
nurse administered to his wants.
"My DEAR" said the Major one day,
Il think l am beginning to realize
now what the blessing Of d daughter
would have been had God given
me one. I have grown very fond of
you."
The soft blue eyes beamed smiling
down upon him as he spoke.
Sand l of you," answered the girl,
in low, tender, accents.
"Are you much attached to your
aunt--Mrs. Fessenden,I believe i.er
name is :"
eyes," said the girl, half doubt