Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-05-10
GUYS NURSE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"Hush, DoIcasl Is that rain1 II
sounds as if some genii were dashing
buckets full of water against the case
ments.
ats rain, Guy. The equinoctiaI
storm, you know"
"And that dreary moaning down the
chimney--is it windp
yes, Guy, it's wind"
The boy shivered a little, and drew
he bedclothe, up around his chin. The
red flames from the blazing log on the
hearth danced up and down like a
magic-lantern, the shaded lamp burned
steadily on the table. Dorcas Wynter
stitched quietly away at her sewing
without looking up.
sit must be an awful tempest, Dor
cas-, utter the lad, as a fresh gust of
wind seemed to shake the old octagonal
tower to ita very foundations ons----..
"It is, Guy. ] heard old Captain
Lake say that the tide had not been so
high since the year the Royal Victoria
was wrecked off Paine Point
''It's better to be here, even with a
broken Leg" said Guy Paley, slightly
lifting his eyebrows, ethan out at sea IN
such blow as thisl"
"a good deal better, Guy" I
s'Not that | am coward, Dorcas!l
cried the boy. There are worse thing3
than storm at sea. And have an III
,tinct that l shall be sailor yet. BID
this sickness has taught me-this sick
ness and you, Dorcas-that it's better to
90 for thing in an honest, straight
forward way than TO try to reach it by
sneaking. But l always supposed it was
fine thing 10 run away to sea, or else !
shouldn't have tried the get-out of-the-
window-by-midnight dodge, and broken
my leg. I'm wiser now."
Dorcas smiled at him with melting
hazel eyes and rcse-red lips, revealing a
line of pearls.
"Poor Guyw said she. at was a
hard lesson, wasn't it2'
81 think l needed it, Dorcas. If ever
there was Thoroughbred young ruff
Gan, it was I!' groaned the boy. "But
you see, nobody ever talked TO me-
scolding without end l got. grant you,
but no one talked common sense 10 me
before. You are the only one who
seemed to think me worth reasoning
with; and you shall see, Dorcas, that
I'm worth the trouble. Once I'm up
from this scrape, I'll tackle my lessons
in real earnest and try to be something
better. And 1 say, Dorcas-"
"Yes, Guyl'
"You're the prettiest girl I ever sawl"
Nonsense, Guy"
"Oh, but your are-and the sweetest
and the most sensiblel l can't think
how you ever came to be housemaid in a
place like this.
Dorcas colored little.
'shall tell you, Guy3 I came as
governess to the primary department
but l had no discipline, they told me.
The younger boys did exactly as they
pleased. I've always thought that Mrs
Vail, who succeeded to the position, had
something to do with the bad reports of
my management that reached Doctor
Delfer's ears. But that can'tb proved;
neither can it be helped. was alone
here and friendless, and was glad 10
accept vacant position under the house.
Keeper 70 menf linen, care for The oc-
easional cases the infrmary, and make
myself generalll usuful."
nut" youNefe lady! exultantly
cried the boy. i could see it in vonr
face"
81 would rathe you would cail ma
Att'r q
rue woman GU than lady, said
Do'eas' moving te lamp few inches
further back SO pat the light should
not shine in Guy eyes.
''But | say, Dorcas, how old arc
youl"
''Rather yout l am afraid. Guv-
only nineteen.
And ] am fdtcen, Dorcas. win
you wait seven yfs for mel''