St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-07
THE NURSE MAIDS PLACE.

"What shall do.'' said Linda Carol, fold
ing herwhite hands together. "My superb
cial education was very we'll for young heir
ess, but it is of no use to a poor girl who
needs to earn her living'
And she took up the newspaper and looked
over the advertisements.
Wanted genteel person to take charge
OF little boy" she read. Perhaps that
might do if can swallow my PRIDE" she
sighed.
She found the house after walk of an
hour-a handsome residence-and, having
been ushered into the reception room, was
received by neat elderly woman.
'You would be wanted to take care OF
motherless child. Poor Mrs. Bellamy died
last week. and d common servant will not do.
Mr.. Bellamy relies on my discretion. Pm
the housekeeper. He'll never recover her
loss. You won't expect much gayety In
this afflicted household, but you'll have Sun
day afternoons-Pll take Master Thomas
then-and an evening once a week"
Master Thomas was an unmanageable lit
tie boy. He tore things for mere mischief's
sake, and was as fond of biting as a mad
dog; but Linda was cool, quiet and good
humored. In week or so she got the mas
terry over him, and even began to teach him
something. One day she had left Master
Tommy in the nursery and had gone down
stairs to get tub of hot water for his bath;
when she returned he was gone. She hur-
rled about the house, and soon heard low
groans from the study on the second floor
The door stood open; peeping in, she saw
a tai man lying on sofa, and Master Tom
my standing near by, pulling out his hair by
handfuls. With every tug the sufferer
groaned, but made no resistance.
Tommy" called Tommy, come
here Really sir, you ought not to allow
that"
Tommy obeyed and ran to her. The mar
tyr lifted up his head.
Don't disturb him." he said, mournfully.
81 would deny nothing to her child. 1
wish to do my duty by him at least"
That is not the way to do it. sir,'' said
Linda. "Absurd indulgence is injurious to
any child.''
The father eyed her with a wistful look.
You seem to manage him" he said.
Il try to, SIR said Linda.
'He has his sainted mothers facen said
Mr.. Bethany.
The child, with his blunt nose and rough,
red cheeks, was not particularly saint-like,
but Linda, as in duty bound, bowed gravely
BY slow degrees he grew more cheerful,
and at last brought home top for Tommy
and set it spinning
One the anniversary of his wife's death he
took Linda and Tommy to her grave and
wept there.
The week after Mrs. Penfeather and one
OF Tommy's aunts came to make a visit
There was good deal of whispering in the
housekeeper's room, and one evening Mrs.
Penfeather entered the nursery with haugh-
ty air, and, seating herself in a rocking-chair,
addressed herself to Linda.
II am the late Mrs. Bellamy's mother, as l
suppose you know, and have come over to
see how Tommy is getting on. 1 can't say
think he is doing well at all, and l believe |
can find better nurse-maid for him. So as
your month is up next Monday, I'll pay YOU
now in place of warming and you can pack
up at once.n
Linda looked at the old lady quietly, paused
moment. said, Every wen," and walked
out of the room.
Her little trunk stoodin the lumber-room.
She opened it and began to take down her
few plain gowns.
Suddenly Tommy's voice reached her, cry
ing: "Where's my Linda?'
And she heard the grandmother say:
''Linda is going away; she's naughty"
Then she realized that she had come to
love Tommy, and tears fell fast upon the
garments she was packing.
'Crying? said voice behind her. ''Whv,
Linda, what has happeneda"
''I'm very foolish that's all, Mr. Bellamv.
1t is only leaving Tommy" she answered,
without looking around.
''Leaving Tommyl What do you mean?"
cried Mr. Belamy.
He came into the lumber-room and stood
near her, looking down on her.
MRS. Penfeather has dismissed me-" she
said.
But have not' said Mr.. Belamy.
He bent toward her; he looked at her as a
master seldom looks at servant. Sudden
ly Linda understood all.
''It is right that l should go,'' she thought;
and yet her tears fell fasterr She not only
loved Tommy, but she certainly liked Mr..
Bellamy very much.
SIT will break the child's heart if YOU 60"
said Mr.. Bellamy. 'Mrs. Penfather over
steps her privileges. Linda, my dear child,
you can't go. l have thought for some time
that you never must 1t is my duty to give
little Tommy mother, and I'm so very
fond of you. Won't you marry me?''
He put his arm about her waist. He had
such a soft kind way, though he was weak
and womanish.
''Say yes, Linda he said
Linda had had dreams of gallant nights
and young princes, like other girls; and Bel
lamy was neither. But she felt as though he
needed to be tsken care of; and there was
Tommy.
Healed after an Illness OF Ttce,aty-ttro
Years.