St. Landry democrat., 1884-07-19

had loSt.
s'You avoid us, Miss Loomis,'' said
Frank on the very next morning, as the
two CHANGED to meet at Ruxton Creek.
'sYou never give us nod and smile
as you pass. Has anything my uncle
may have said in regard to that wretch
ed little saucepan aught TO do with the
matter2''
SPY no MEANS was the frigid re-
ply. 'sThat was too slight an affair to
be worthy of remembrance.
"tPlease explain. Them an honest
trouble in his dark eyes. "HaveI done
anything to ofend2"
"No, it is nothing. Why vex your
self about a ttifle? You have many
friends in the village, doubtless, who
are congenial, and who enjoy your COM
partnership
ssAs you do not, am led to infer, -
he replied, bitterly, as he left. y
II intend to enjoy myself" thought
Nellie, defantly, a few nights later,
notwithstanding the proximity of
those two gentlemen"
mamma, it is lovely out here in the
moonlight. Old Cog and Magog are
staring down stonily at me, and the
pine trees on the slope look like darkey
ghosts. What shall / sing for youP"
tuning her guitar. 81 Oft in the Silly
Night would be appropriate.
Twas very sweet, tender voice that
lifted forth the old song. Then fol-
lowed: ''The Last Link is Broken, "
''Why do Love Thee" and others,
until the night was filled with music.
sob, Nellie" said her mother, as she
entered the tent, Il forgot to tell you
that Mr.. Castleman, Sr.. called this
afternoon while you were at the spring.
He made quite visit, admired our
bright porch, and asked me to call
when he LETT
| "Perhaps he is sorry he spoke so I'M
kindly when l was there" said Nellie,
with a sudden sense of compassion for
the sick, lonely man.
But soon all thoughts of Mr.. Castle
man, ST.. and his tantalizing nephew
were merged into that beautiful sleep
which comes only to the just, and to
campers in Colorado.
'.Miss LOOMS! Miss Loonis!'' she
heard an anxious voice call through the
mist of her dreams, and she gave q
startled answer.
i 'My uncle is very i'll, y the voice con-
tinued. xviii it be possible for you
to come and stay with him while go
/ for the doctor? Our man has gone to
Denver for the horses
81 viii come Immediately. Go right
on to Manitou. T"
mamma, ring this bell if you need
me- she said on starting.
Mr. Castleman's condition brought
her ability as nurse into immediate re-
QUESTION.
She built fire in the camp-stoye,
but, finding no vessel in which to boil
water, bethought herself suddenly Of the
returned saucepan. "How glad am /
Il brought it back, she thought grateful
/ ", ''for there is not one moment to
lose.
By the time the physician had arrived,
and constant applications of hot water
to the patient, and the immersion of his
feet in it, had very much improved his
condition.
The doctor commended in highest
terms the course pursued by the
trembling little nurse, and said that her
speedy action had saved the patients
life.
A grateful glance from Mr.. Castle
man, Sr., and one of intense admiration
from Mr.. Castlsman, Jr., fell upon her
flushed face and shining, disheYeled
hair at this statement.
Z cit was the saucepan" she cried,
impulsively. II could not have heated
. the water but for it,
Nellie guided her mothers feeble
footsteps to the door of their neighbor' s
tent next morning. Mr.. Castleman was
much improved, and expressed his APP
probation of the call.
A very friendly feeling was established
between the invalids after this, and
Nellie or her mother visited the tent at
least once day during the old gentle
mans conYalescence.
He softened visibly beneath the I'M
accustomed influence, and even asked
Nellie to bring her guitar and sing for
him.
Specimens of her cookery often found
their way to his bedside, and she read
to him almost daily.
Matters did not progress so faVorably
between the young people, however.
Day after day, at the spring, Nellie
saw Frank Castleman apparently alb
sorbed in the society of naughty,
dark-eyed girl from the village.
The vision of this proud beauty
reigning as queen, at some future day,
in her beloved home, while she, her
mother and brother, drained out q bar
rem existence elsewhere, gave her every
action toward the young man tinge OF
GOODNESS.
| When Mr.. Castleman grew stronger
he came every day to the Loomis' tent.
He observed Nellie's uniform cheerful
ness, her industry, her economies, and
he was never wearied Of watching her