Wichita eagle., 1888-08-19
HIS STEPM0THER.

GllI1ley-1S IL WllQI
The boy shivered little and drew the
bedclothes up around his chin. The red
flames from the blazing log on the hearth
danced up and down like magic lantern;
the shaded lamp burned steadily on tho
table. Dorcas Wynter stitched quietly
away at her sewing without looking up.
at must be an awful tempest, Dorcas, F."
uttered the lad, as a fresh gust of wind
seemed to shake the octagonal tower to
its very foundations.
ct is, Guy. l heard old Capt. Lake
say that the tide had not been so high
since tho year the Royal Victoria was
wrecked off Paine Point"
1T is better to be here, even with o
broken leg" said Guy Paley, slightly lift
ing his eyebrows. than out at sea in
such blow as this."
"A good deal better, Guy"
"Not that I'm a coward, Dorcas" cried
the boy. There are worse things than a
storm at sea, and | have an instinct that
/ shall be sailor yet. But this sickness
has taught me, tins sickness and you,
Dorcas, that it's better TO go for a thing
il an honest, straightforward way, than
TO try to reach it by sneaking But al
ways supposed it was fine thing to run
the get-out-of- he-window- by midnight
dodge and broken my leg. Pm wiser now"
Doreas smiled at him with melting
hazel eyes and rose red lips, revealing a
line of pearls.
Poor GUY" said she. at was hard
lesson, wasn't it,"
81 think needed it, Dorcas. If ever
there was a thorough paced young
ruifian it was l." groaned the boy
But, you see nobody ever talked to
me Seedlings without end | got, | grant
YOU, but no one talked common sense to
Ine before. You are the only one who
seemed to think me worth reasoning with;
and you shall see, Dcrcas, that am worth
the trouble Once I'm up from this scrape
I'll tackle my lessons in real earnest and
try to do something better. And, say,
Dorcas"--
Eyes, Guy?"
you're the prettiest girl ever saw"
Nonsense, Guy"
ooh, but you arei and the sweetest and
most sensible. I can't think how you
ever came TO be a houSemaid in place
like this"
Dorcas colored a little.
Shall | tell you, Guy? I came as gov
erness to the primary department, but
bad no discipline, they told me. The
younger boys did exactly as they pleased.
I've always thought tilat Mrs. Vail, who
succeeded to the position. had something
to do about the bad reports of my mis-
management that reached DR.. Delfer's
bars. But that can't be proved; neither
can it be helped. / was alone here and
friendless, and | was glad to accept va
rant position under the h0usekeeper TO
mend linen, care for the occasional cases
tn the infirmary and make myself geneI-
ally useful"
Il knew you were lady" eXultantly
FRIED the boy, Il could see it in your
face.
Il would rather you would call me q
true woman. Guy, than lady" said Dor
cas- moving the lamp few inches farther
back. SD that the light would not shine in
Guy 5 eyes.
But say. Dorcns, how old are your
Rather young, am afraid. Guy-only
nineteen"
And I am fourteen, Dorcas. VIII you
wait seven years for me2"
"Guyr'
Il shall be twenty-one then, and my own
master" eagerly added the boy; land I'll
work like slave to get good profession,
pnd if you will marry me, DorcaS, I'll
make the best husband that ever was to
you, for I'm desperately in love with you,
that am.
Dorcas burst into laughter.
Guy" she said, what child you
sre."
But you do love me, don't your"
Yes, of course | love you; but not
bit more than | do Cecil Parker or little
frankie Gaines"
"Dorcasr
"Well, trifie more perhaps, because
I've had all the care of you these four
weeks. and you've really behaved very de-
gently, but
= Promise me, Dorcas."
Il won't, Guy"
We're engaged, all the same" said
Guy. with deep sigh OF relief; its
bargain. And now You may get me my
cruel"
Eyes. Mr. Paley," said DR.. Defer, with
nod Of his specialized brows, that wild
boy of yours is different creature. And
the infrInarv nurse has done ii all. Not
to mention the credit the doctor gives her
for keeping down the fever and managing
the troublesome splints. He was the
worst boy IN the school. | don't mind
admitting to YOU now that ! was contem-
plating expelling him from our MEN,
bers.''
Guy always was a wild sort of chap"
sdmitted Mr.. Palev. But his auntS
spoiled him. He never had any bringing
mp TO speak Of.
''But this Illness seems to have exerted
q wonderful influence ovcr.hiS moral ma
lure" added Dr.. Defer. And really
think Dorc&s has done it ali. Her in
luenco has been wonderful"
''She deserves q great deal OF credit,
an sure" said Mr.. Paley. Il should like
10 see her and thank her. I've brought u
few presents for her-a warm shawl, q
silver snuff box and black stuff gown"
Dr. Defer gaSped little
.-She-I don't think SIS takes snuil"
said be, feebly.
."Au these nurses do"
"Yes-but there she is now
The door opened and Dorc2s Wynter
ea,ne in, carving q student lamp. which
she had Just Iiied and trimmed anew.
Mr. Pnley dropped the silver snuff box
In establishment
Il beg your pardon, ana sure!" STAN
nered he.
aud when the doctor suggested that
the nurse had better accompany young
Guy en- the Journey home she assented
without renouStrance.
Nurse. indeed said Miss Sophronia
Paley, gaur., high featured damsel of
30. 'As if pretty simpering chit of
thing like that could understand anything
about uarsingr'
she does, though" said Guy. She's
q hrick Aunt Snnh And / don't believe