The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-12

nothing to do now but to watch mos
carefully.
Miss Stanton entered the room. 1
was suberb in all its appointments
Though the light was low, the carved
wood, the frescoes, the glitter of cut
glass and brass, and the luxurious di
vans were all apparent. Rather differ
ent from the bare walls of the hospital
ward were these beautiful reaches of
landscape aud rare interiors in theiI
rich frames; but, all the same as on the
narrow hospital cots, here among the
RULES and lace of downy pillows was a
| human sufferer: glasses and towels and
sponges and an the appurtenances Of
surgery were about-means for reliev-
ing the terrible agony which in hospital
or palace pursueS its victim. With note
book and pencil, walls and written
orders. Miss Stanton took her place at
the bedside. The sufferer was asleep,
his face hidden in the clothes. Strange
to say, she had not asked his name.
Why was it that in Ibis silent watch her
thoughts returned 10 hey girlhood-te
the far-Of home OF her youth, w!.;ch she
had left when a happy, thoughtic- 5
child for the abode OF wealth and luxury,
from which she had been thrust forth
as unworthy and diSobedient? How
long the years of study and disappoint-
ment and hard work seemed and how
well she remembered all the chilling re-
Bluffs she had met from the day her aunt
had spoken those cruel words, and she
had taken refuge with her old friend,
Mrs. Russell. whose influence and ia
terest had at last secured her a position
in the training school for nurses! All, it
was no easy task she had taken upon
herself, but how tranquil and assured
now her life had become since she had
been her own mistress. and filed the
hours with useful work. To be sure,
her aunt had renounced and denounced
her, and her cousins never even spoke
to her. Frank only was her friend.
Just then, with a Dan, her patient
awoke, and fixed his eyes upon her
What shock thrilled her rs he looked
and looked again. How well she knew
those eyes! Though years and his deep
slumber had disguised him, she now
was conscious that she was in the pres
ence of the man who had once offered
her his love. Why had Frank sent for
her? What was the meaning of this
meeting? Did he know her? Should
she fly? All these questions rushed for
an answer; but long habits of self-re-
straiut GAINED her, andwith gentle touch
she essaye1 some little movement
for his comfort, hoping he would not
recognize her. But she was mistaken;
hot hand was laid on hers. and a IA
miliar voice said: You have come, /
knew you would"
Yes, | am a nurse, come in response
to your physicians order
No; you put it wrongly; you arc
Teresa Stanton, come because l, Leroy
Jones, sent for you
Not at all: | would have come to an
utter stranger. [ did come just that
way. Now let me quiet you"
Il have you at last; that is all want.
Do YOU know, have never loved any
one else-never. You were quite right
not to marry me; deuce of life
you'd have led!''
Hush. hush. you are iniuring your
sell, she Salu, softly, trying to stop his
impetuoitS talk. But he was not to be
stopped; he had grasped her hand, and
was kissing it.
"NonSensel As if l didn't know ]
had come to the end of my rope. Put
your hand here on my heart. How is it
going?-faSt, like a trip-hammer? II
will stop soon. But have you 10 look
ut again. See:" aud he drew out a
little locket from beneath his pillow.
where it lay beside his watch and
trinkets; ''this is all l have had these
ten years. Do you know yourself to be
that girl? Isn't she beauty? But let
me look at you. Turn on the gas. No,
don't leave me either; you might not
come back. You are altered, Jessie
but you are a lovely woman still. You
were wise little thing; you saw what
poor stuff there was in me; but | loved
you, TeSSie, and noW-O. I've no pain.
Don't look so distressed. | fear my
time has come. Nervous shock, YOU
know. feel very weak. Give me some
brandy. Kiss me, Tessie."