Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-09-14

sent right off.
who is this mani" she said, quick
/ ". Where does he live?'
This man here? dunno, ma'am.
His names John Ware. He is a new
hand. We don't know nothing about
him. He was kind of bossy chap,
and yet he didn't seem TO know so all
fired much, either, did he, Eli?"
Don't you know any of his friends?"
Joanna asked Where does he live?"
Deed l couldn't tell we, ma'am. l
don't know anything about him"
The doctor came, and his verdict
was grave one Joanna came out
of the library with a pale, resolute
| face
Aunt Margaret" she said, quietly,
they are going TO take him up to my
room"
What Mrs Mowry screamed i'll
horror. Joanna, are you mad?"
He says he has no friends in this
city; and, anyhow, the doctor says ii
might be fatal TO move him from the
house. The slightest jar makes him
suffer unspeakable agony"
But, Joanna, it is utterly impossi-
bile for us to keep him here. Think Of
the-the expense. He's only labor
ing man, and
Il will bear whatever expense his
being here may entail upon you
But suppose he dies on your hands?
Or, he may lie here for months. For
mercy's sake send him to the hospit-
all
Il cannot think of doing anything
so inhuman. He may occupy my
room, aunt Margaret. Do not dis
tress yourself about it, ! will see that
he does not occasion you the slightest
annoyance"
SO, John Ware was installed in the
little bedroom back of the studio, and
the doctor came and went for weeks
before it was really known that the
patient would recover. Joanna nursed
him with untiring devotion.
You really think he will get well
now?' she said, with womanly tears in
her eyes.
The doctor took her hand and pressed
it warmly.
Yes" he answered.; thanks to
you"
The patient had been sleeping, but
now he opened his eyes, and they
shone as they fell upon the pale, sweet
face of Joanna.
Il was just saying, my young friend, y
observed the doctor, releasing Joan
mas slim fingers to take up John
Wares finely shaped hand, which was
now as white as marble, Il was just
saying that you owe your life more to
Miss Bright than you do to me-"
The young man gave her a look OF
gratitude that was almost admiration.
Il shall never forget her." he said
in musical voice that promised to be
rich and deep when he grew stronger.
Il cannot even estimate what l owe
her, much less repay her"
Joanna did not like to be thanked,
and she slipped away at the first oP-
portunity; but she carried with her
the memory of that handsome head
with its crown Of chestnut curls rest
ing softly among the pillows
The weeks went on, and John Ware
was convalescent. 1t was one mid
summer morning that he sat at the
window of the studio in an easy chair.
while Joanna made feint of working
little in oils.
But what did it mean, the tender
light that shone in John Wares eyes.
as they rested on her little, graceful
figure clad in pure white? Why did
Joanna's S hand tremble as it held the
palette? And why was her face so
OIlell sun luSSu WIN u CONSCIOUS ciuOb'
why don't you come over here and
talk to me?' he said, with all the pre-
sumption of an invalid.
II have something better to do, Mr..
Ware she answered, mischievously.
But you don't know what you are
missing The little cottage must be
completed now. Here comes wagon
load Of new furniture.
Like every woman (and every man
Joanna had some curiosity, and this
announcement brought her TO the
window without delay
Certainly there was a wagon load Of
furniture, and such furniture. In that
load, which was the first of several
that came that day, there was beau
tiful oaken side-board, exquisitely
carved; a quaint, lacquered cabinet,
ebony bookcases, a handsome brass
bedstead. and dear knows what not.
They are going to make a very
pretty home out of it, John Ware OBJ
served. How do you like the house?'
Joanna's eyes sparkled.
Oh she cried, clapping her hands
together, Il think it is perfectly
charming. But" she added, with sud
den gravity, II should think it would
make you shudder to look at it."
"Oh, no, he answered, with perfect
calmness. Then he answered softly:
1T might under different circumstan-
ces. But if / had never had that fall
! should never have known you"
Joanna did not speak; but presently
she felt his firm clasp upon her hand.
Still he did not look at her.
You know what has been tremb-
ling on my lips for weeksy' he said.
Il would not ask you to make the
smallest sacrifice for me, If you felt it