Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-09-18

4 " eio ~ vel 6WttAs iGuAET voice.
that lifted forth the old song. Then
followed: "The LastLink is Broken. 2
why do | Love Thee, and others.
until the night was filled with music.
ooh. Nellie said her mother, as
she entered the tent, 81 forgot to tell
you that Mr.. Castleman, Sr., called
this afternoon while you were at the
spring. He made quite a visit adj
mired our bright porch, and asked me
to call when he left.
Perhaps he is sorry he spoke SO
unkindly when was there, said
Nellie, with a sudden sense of com
passion 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
campe rs in Colorado.
miss Loomisl Miss Loomism she
heard an anxious voice call through
the midst Of her dreams, and she gave
startled answer.
My uncle is very ill.," the voice
continued. "Will it be possible for
you to come and stay with him while
| 90 for the doctor? a man has gone
to Denver for the horses"
II will come Immediately. Go
right on to Manitou"
Mamma, ring this bell if you need
me, she said on starting.
Mr.. Castleman's condition brought
her ability as nurse into immediate
requistjon.
She built fire in the caup-stove,
but, finding no vessel in which to
boil water, bethought herself suddenly
of the returned saucepan. How
glad / am l brought it back" she
thought gratefully, for there is not
one moment to lose"
BY the time the physician
had arrived the constant application
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 nurse, and said that her
speedy action had saved the patients
life
A grateful glance from Mr. Castle
man, Sr., and one of intense admira-
ton from Mr. Castleman, Jr., fell
upon her flushed face, and shining,
disheveled hair at this statement
1T was the saucepan, she cried,
impulsively. [ could not have heat
ed the water but for it..
Nellie guided her mothers feeble
footsteps to the door of their neigh
boris tent next morning Mr. Castle
man was much improved and ex-
pressed his appreciation of the cal.
A very friendly feeling was estao-
lished between the invallds after this,
and Nellie or her mother visited the
tent at least once a day during the old
| gentleman's convalescence.
He softened visibly beneath the UNI
accustomed influence, aud even asked
Nellie to bring her guitar and sing for
him.
Specimens of cookery often found
their way to his bedside, and she read
to him almost daily.
Matters did not progress so favor
ably between the young people how
ever.
Day after day, at the spring, Nellie
saw Frank Castlem2n apparently alb
sorbed in the society Of a naughty,
dark-eyed girl from the village.
The vision of this proud beauty
reigning as queen some future day, in
her beloved home, while she, her
mother and brother, drained out a
| barren existence elsewhere, gave her
every action toward the young man
tinge of GOODNESS.
| When Mr. Castleman grew strong
err, he came every day to the LoOmis's
] L. 1krr.v.rnI hnllta'- f,pyv,
cheerfulness, her industry, her econo-
my, and he never wearied of watching
her swift, bird-like movements.
mo porridge for your mother2' he
asked one night when he had remain
ed for tea. why, how is that, little
! girll"
81 am sorry have none for either
her or you, but-we have nothing to
prepare it in
"Bless my life! No saucepan2
Why did you not speak of it be-
! fore2p
The next morning a new saucepan
was set inside the tent door.
1t was addressed to Nellie, and re-
moving thu cover, she found inside a
! thick paper, marked, Medicine for
| your mother"
"Oh, mamma, do open il quick my
curiosity has taken complete possess
ion of me.
"Why, Nellie, said her mother in
a choked voice, cit is a deed of our
old home, given in Mr.. Castlemans
name. WHAT does it mean, my child Y
"Ah, l know, | know she cried,
! beside herself with happiness; land
oh, am so glad y
She could scarcely make explana-
ton to her mother for the exuberance
of her JOY
Her face was radiant when she re
turned from her visit OF thanks to Mr..
CastleRan.
He was so kind, mamma, and
when / kissed him, he kissed me back
again,
The days days that followed were
golden ones to Nellie. 1t seemed that
the sun had never sent down such
soft, life-giving rays before, and, It