Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-05
Gales aud Sketthes. i
NURSE PARKETS SrORY-
Continued from yesterday }

Continued from yesterday
NO. thank you. Mary. I'm used to be-
ing lonely-"
/ still wanted her TO think about the
baby: and pretending that heard it stir
ring, went back through the open door
into the nursery for moment. and after
pretending to soothe it, called her to look
at it.
20 desr.ma' am" said, lido come and
look at the dear child. | don't know that
ever saw it look so pretty in its innocent
sleepr'
She came in her white dressing gown,
which she had loosely put on, but her face,
that had flushed 10 deep red as she first
looked at the child grew almost whittier
than her gown, while she stood silent by
the little bed.
Dear me. ma am said, ''what Is so
/ innocent and beautiful to look al as a lit
[ tie sleeping babe | can't think how any
one can ever hurt child. do think, if
/ was 10 hurt a baby through cruelty or
passion, couldn't never say my prayers
i again hardly"
/ Nv lady stopped over the child until her
/ long hair, which was all hangin' loose.
! fell over its face and her own, and quite
/ llu lUtlll DOtl liOul - -AiS
wered something that couldn't hear.
Looking at the nursery clock. said:
But, dear me, ma'am. you must be
tired, 1t is now upon the stroke OF
eleven
At the mention of the hour she half
started from her low posture. no doubt re-
membering when she had last heard a
mention of eleven O'Clock, and, in the
start she gave. she awoke the baby from
its sleep Throwing out its little arms.
the child caught at some of her bright
long hair as it tloated away from her, and
began to cry.
wouldn't quiet it. | left it all to her.
And oh. how hoped the chlld's voice
might call her back to what she used to be.
before that dark, handsome face had been
seen in our house She might not have
been happy. but she was innocent then!
The baby will always leave off crying
best for you, ma am" said. Il will Just
90 and put out some water for you into
the basin and unfold your night-dress
ready
She could not but take the crying baby,
and I left her hushing it to rest. When |
came back the child was asleep in her
arms, but the tears were raining down
from my lady's eyes upon its little night
dress. I thought heard her crying.
| Taking the child from her. | laid it into
bed and then said, as my lady tried in
vain to stop her tears,
go my dear mistress, am sure you
can't be we'll What can do for you?
Nothing, Mary dear" she answered.
Nothing"
shall | send for my master ?" | asked
Il am sure he would grieve dreadfully if
you were ILL.,"
MARY" she exclaimed, reproachfully
But went on:
Eyes. maam, you may not think so,
because he is so quiet like, but know he
would feel it very much. in his way, if
anything happened to you
How strong tried to speak those words
"He is fond of the baby too" | said.
Though he seldom notices it. for when |
took it to the study window the other day.
when was out in the garden. he took it
in his arms and played with it long time
She took upon her to seem quite naughty
all at once, as she rose and told me that |
need not say any more; but didn't mind.
| only said,
Dear mistress, you surely won't be
offended with me. who have waited on
you so lOnG?'
Il am tired, Mary" she answered, land
shall 90 to bed now" And she shut her
dressin' loom door, saying that need not
come in again to help her in undressing
for that the baby was not quite sound.
never went to sleep that night. and
got out of bed. several times to listen al
her door, which, when | heard her &c
through into her bed room. had set aiar
She was always stirring, never still. AND
in the middle of the night, | heard he,
crying as she had done among the tir-trees
in the shrubbery. She seemed to sleer
once for short time. but awoke herself
in calling out. Gerald do not tempt me. .
in a nightmare dream.
In the morning | rose with feeling rs
if great weight were upon me which
must remove by some great endeavor be
fore the night and eleven O'Clock came
wanted. If possible. that my dear mis-
tress should take it off herself without my
having to show her that knew what haC
passed in the shrubberv the night before
said to myself. Surely she will thinl
many times before she will 90 out from
these doors tonight. Perhaps she viii
think better of it. Perhaps she has neve
meant to 90. Anyhow. know the tim,
appointed, and ] can watch, and. at tn,
last. can but speak,
My lady spent almost all day in he
dressin' room, and | faucied she was writ
ing. was glad she kept there. because
it was next the nursery, and made thu
baby crow merrily. and talk in her pretty
way continually. so rs to keep the dea
little creature in her mind The child har
learnt to say Mamma quite PLAIN. and
going up to the dreSsin'-room door witt
her little uncertain footsteps, many time
through the day she called to her to com,
in, with her sweet tender little voice. NJ
lady did not come, however, hut kept he
own room closely; and began to thinl
that she was afraid to look at the dea
baby any more-that she really meant Il
leave it.
The day wore on. Ny mistress. who
had breakfasted up stairs. only went dowr
to dinner at FIVE O'Clock. and she remained
in the drawin' room afterwards instead o
coming. as she most times did, to bid tn,
baby good night and see me undress anC
put it into bed. We were very regular
household. and. by ten O'Clock. all tn.
servants were settled for the night. NJ,
lady lOakirC into the nursarv ha,