New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-11

Next Gav Patience bad sickened with smallpox
and Mrs Abbott hastily migrated to u ahdm ,
bungalow TO nurse her IL was a SHARP aL,a ,,,'-
but the little woman wcathercd it bravely, thanks
TO her naturally WHY constitution ana het lFlehu ;
careful nursing When she was allowed 10 SIT
UP in bed she asked for loolung-glass trembling
exceedingly lest one more trial might be IN store
for her in the isigurcmcnt OF her poor ilill'
face at no time Of more than passable comeIlneSs
Was it Of her to thank God for hiVinS
spared her tins further alllctlon? IL meant 50
much tn one of her shrink NJ disposition, whose
path through life would have become even harder
had she believed herself - be a repulsivc OBJECT
rs wei "a stupid. dull, awkward. and unwclcome
And she had dreaded for WIS She not a woman ,
the painful impression which her countcnancc
blurred and altered. would have produced upon
her hcrO's mind kindly as he would have StllVen
tC conceal the feet.
When she was considered out of quarantine
Graham came 10 her and her shyn - IN re-
ceiying him was much temp ''i with gentle sym
pathy, for she had shared his sorrow with nm,
and no longer felt herself on a different platform.
He did not allude 10 his loss but kept the con-
vcIsatl"n on everyday subjects, never permitting
it, 20 flag ami drawing ont his companions ideas
with so much tact thar she forgot to be nervous.
and deightcd him with her quaint sayings and
simple unworldly wisdom. Now Graham had Just
heard the true story OF Patience Owen from Mrs.
Abbott and ptied her sincerely though he could
not rid his mind Of In" notion that girl who
allowed herself without "a word IF protest, 10
be put in the undisnilicd position Of a cardidatc
for marriage with % total stranger would hardly
have the strength of character 10 steer straight
coIISo through lifc-Spcallmg the truth and sham
Ing the devil-and so ne proposed 10 himself
10 rut her 70 the test, with thr idea that if
she came through il trumphantly ne would con
slider the advi>ability Of asking her 20 he his
wife. Therefore. when ~ length a pause occurred
in their conversation, Graham instead of rising
10 co. suddenly resume hts serious manner and
remarked We are friends, Miss Owen, We
nOt %"
Yes faltcred Patience, all at once grown
shy.
And friends viii not fall ont for n tri1c -
No indeed She answered. " have so few
tlat ! could not afford that
Then will you tell me what brought you out
20 Pagiri ."
Poor Patience blushcd painfully. twisted her
fingers IN her pocket handkerchief, and showed
every sign Of distress. " ] Icfr home because
they didn't want me- she said hurriedly and
with downcast eyes. and came out 10 marry
one Of the missionaries. No one would have
me, 80 Mrs. Abbott took me 10 live with her
What il cost her 10 make such confession
Graham dimly GUESSED. lie hated himself for his
cruelty anl great wave OF compassion for the
poor forlOrn girl swept through his heart--c0m
passion mingled with admiration for her
courage Forgive me-" h. said. Poor child
there IS great deal Of happiness
owing 70 Won. Do YOU think could make yonr
life brighter? Patience, viii You let me try
But before She could answer him Mrs. Abbott had
hustled into The room.