The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-10


"But you want to get lack to the other
lifel or course, it is only natural" Did
faint, faint sigh escape her heres "Your
friends want to get you back there, too"
';It is hardly that" said he quickly. 1T is
more-that want to feel myself-myself
again A man!-I am sick Of coddling, and
physic, and so forth"
This, too, was ungracious, and he knew 1t
when the words had passed his lips be
glanced at her furtively to see II he had Of
Tended her; and though he would have bean
miserable had he succeeded in palnlng her,
he was still angrily Disconnected at finding
she had taken no heed whatever OF his petu-
lance.
ait is n matter of indifference to her
whether 1 am pleasant or the reverse" he
said to himself with frown
lam afraid you must be content with US
for a week or two longer" she said brightly
"But that should not be so great hardship
to you. In your present state, how could
you be better off there than here's"
She was looking frankly into his eyes, and
the beauty of her expression killed his small
touch of rancour.
Il should bs worse Off" he said, flushing
warmly; Il should be without my nurse"
mo, we supply nurses to private cases.
You would probably have one in your own
house as good as am" returned she calmly.
"Still, it wouldn't be you" said he. Then,
"Do you like the life here!'
"Yes"
There was as much "No" as Eyes" in this
answer, and it puzzled him.
ut is hard life," he said
- L.
tentiously.
This checked him for time, but the
| demon of curiosity having made him his
prey, he was compelled to go on again.
"What is your name!" he asked.
"Nurse Eva"
Il know that l shall never
forget that. But your other name,
mean"
1t had tormented him inconceivably in his
sick moments to think it might be Smith OF
| Jones'
There was a short but eloquent pause
When it had gone by, she turned and lookec
him fairly in the face.
II have no other name, she said icily.
She got up from her seat and moved
toward the window
ne, horror-stricken with shame at his mis-
take. Il assure you didn't mean it'll
If you excite yourself you will have a re
lapse, and not be able to leave us even a
soon as l have said" interrupted she, witt
increasing GOODNESS. think of the miser
of that, and compose yourself"
A suspicion of scorn In her manner checke,
further speech on his part. He turned OIL
his side and feigned slumber. But he coul
not get her face out of his thoughts Tha
last little touch of hauteur had become her
Strange to say--for ono in her clasS-it ha
suited her, and seemed to belong to her o
right! What brute he was to ask her sue
question! Surely, she has a right to he
own secrets; and yet-yet he wished he
name had been honest Jones or Smith, an
that she had been able TO say So
But he had angered her, and could nc
sleep without her forgiveness. He was sti
so weak that sleep at all times was essen.i
to him
Nurse" he said presently, in tone ths
reminded him of the days when he was
schoolboy and in disgrace.
WELL" said she.
'rm very sorry said that" mumbled s.
Rawdon from beneath the bedclothes; :"
was abominable of me-"
He had now evidently come to the poir
when a good sound Gaming was REASONABLE
to be expected.
"You want me to say forgive YOU" sal
Nurse Eva softly, coming up to him agai
and looking down upon him. very good
/ say it Now go to sleep"
"You don't look as if you forgave,n pr
tested he, anxiously "If you could onl
, know what feel about It'll You must thin
me so contemptible-and you so kind to III
and"
AFT that is all, be comforted l do NJ
think you contemplate" returned she; an
even as she spoke, q sweet, soft smile owe
spread her lovely face, falling like healin
sunbeam on the repentant invalid. With
sigh of relief he closed his eyes, and san
into refreshing slumber.
Then came a day when the nurse entere
his room with n very jubilant air. erhap
it was rather too jubilant an air
Rise, prisoner" said he; "the hour
your release has arrived"
He answered her with reproachf
glance. but no word
She laid the little breakfast tray upon I'll
table near and began to busy herself wit
its contents.
at seems shame to give you any troubl
now l am so strong again" he said. "Ar
yeti like TO see you doing that"
"Yon like to see me getting your breakfa
ready! A very sen lhle fancy"
You misunderstood me- he said hastil
, and then stopped abruptly 1t was difficu
to go on with those large, clear eyes fixt
1 l.. Ill
it he wanted to say Yet, the very repeIlenc
I II. those eyes only made some vague, U
,,nayzei feeling within his breast the mo
: uncomfortable.
Eva" he said suddenly Nth web
nence that suggested hidden passion.
; She laid her tiny teapot down slowly, wit
out a suspicion OF agitation, AMI turned b
J eyes fully upon his.
"Nurse EYa' she said with indeScribab
: dignity.
, She then gave him his tea and arrang,
the tray as carefully as ever before. If b
hand trembled u little, she took very got
care it should not be seen.
As for him, he seemed dissatisfied wit
: all she gave him, and toyed DISCONTINUED
a with his food. and finally told her, almc
. rudely, to take it away from him
"This is foolish" she said gravely. "Y
9 will want strength for your removal. 7
to eat something"
: "The very thought of my removal tax
+ away my appetite, retorted he sullenly, 1
> jecting with angry persistence the lit
dainty triie she sought to press upon him.
Then the surgeon came in again, and fl
his pulse and asked question or two, a,
went through the usual formula
"All going as well as we could WISH"
) said at last. "You have, indeed, made
Q wonderful recovery, my lear Sir Rawdo
It Give you my word, there was time when
eh2 ehl Well and SO the carriage is to
here for you at ls9 Hal glad to run ava
> from us, eh.-eh2
: ais it safe for me to move to-dayr asks
!. Sir Rawdon languidly. There was /
" languor, however, in the deep anxiety Of b
eyes, II don't think feel so well as
Q yesterday"
"Ehl whatl Poufl nonsense, my dear sir
Ii said the surgeon, gaily. "Invalids' tremoi
nothing more. / tell you, you are getth
o out of our hands more hopefully every m
70 ment We shall be ashamed to prescribe