St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-07-11

AOuAl AOA' hNAAt%AAy AAsos 0AASA w go
every probability that some of the
many wounds were fatal, and that the
sick one would never revive
Marie watched more intently than any
of the others. Her confidence increased,
and every few minutes she turned to the
group with an imperious nod.
HE is right; he is right" she said.
When, finally, the boy opened his
eyes, and knew pain again, the men and
women wished to bring altar gifts to lay
at the physicians feet; but Marie only
said, tearfully:
'sWe did not know that America
held so wise man. Twill never think,
hereafter, that I am called to nurse the
sick"
Everything depends upon you now"
he answered. Nursing must do the
rest" and, leaving directions, he drove
away, meditating seriously, for so light
hearted man, upon his strange escape
from death.
For two weeks he was a daily caller
at the cabin; and long before the end
of that time his interest in the boy had
become secondary to his interest in the
nurse, who developed astonishing abil-
ity She seemed to expand and human
ize from day to day.
'She would be fortune to any COM
munity," hesaid, in speaking of her.
'sSuch gifts of voice, touch and manner
rarely come in one person." Her hands
were his especial admiration: he held
the right one in his own, one day, and
looked at it steadily; it was large and
flexible, perfect in shape, and imbued
with strength that made simple con-
tact with it pleasant. He looked at her
face, and its expression made him drop
her hand.
'FYou must be very strong" he said.
eyes" she answered. '.b1y ancestors,
YOU know, killed oxen with their fists.
I am very strong
The rest of the community were I'M
accountable in their behavior. After
that first day, when they were disposed
to crown his head and lay doves at his
feet and make him feel altogether like
fool, they seemed to return to theiI
first state ofsuspicious dislike, tempered
only with some dread of his mysterious
power.
1t was week after his last visit thai
ring at the office bell, one morning
announced Marie Won Sulevitch She
had walked far, for she breathed hard
but her face was white, and showed
that she was sustained by moral rather
than physical strength.
DIR. Hoyt sprang to get her chair
+ but she leaned against the door:
e.No," she said. Il will not sit down
: wish you to tell me where to go, be
cause you said I could be nurse. anc
! it is no longer possible for me to sta,
: at home"
r The doctor walked the length of tn
room, and turned before he spoke.
7 ''TeIl me all of it, he said. 81 an
t your friend.'
. She sighed YEARLY.
g 'sThere is nothing to tell. You woul
not understand. It is Nicholas thi
0 time. 1t is the same whether it i
e | Alexis or Ivan. They do not care who
but they will make me marry. The
|. saw am of the world. If l viii nc
e marry Nicholas they will cast me o
to the worlds people. l am no longe
# of them. I come to ask you what 20
J. of the world do with your women WI
e do not marry"
y DR.. Hoyt looked cut OF the window
$ and there was a queer smile on h
face. 20,
d is beautiful and good, more capable
e every way, than the bestRof these boo
i crammed girls; more nearly in the III
1t age of her Maker, too Why not?"
e Marie" he said, aloud, turning t.
ward her, care you sure that it is n
d that YOU do not wish to marry Mich
b las and Alexisp l ask you now to
le my wife. VIII your resolution be st
st the same?"
It Vivid color rushed over her face, al
y she put up her hands, despairingly.
4, "They said I would be lost amor
ID the worlds women!' she cried. 80
b, thew were cruel to cast me away"
n, "No, Marie!'' and Philip Hoyt to-
o. her hand, as he had done that 9th
day, which both silently remembers
Sc .sYou will not be lost as my wife; 20
le thoughts are like mine. Why shou
e. we not be happy together, caring
n, the sick?''
us Her face grew pale again and h
" ewes were bright with happiness.
a You mean that | can serve 20
be make your life better, be useful to you
ed she questioned.
Men never tell their real thoughts
p" these critical times; but a comical
i'll ion of Alice Bayard's probable ideas
5. wifehood. compared with these,
k, cross this lovers mind, though it "
very tenderly that he said:
he 'sMY Marie, you are great Woms
i but to make your husbands life bett
" that is worthy even of you
e They were married at once, and Ia
lived very happily, the Doctor and ID
4 f11l of the SnO1