Nevada County picayune., 1889-09-18
''I shall miss my nurse. "

| I small miss my nurse.
 "And my patient; but am glad you are recovering. We were afral | at one tune there would be m ,rc painful parting.'
 "You mean l was in danger of dy- ing. Why should that be painful I am old"
 She made no answer, looking sor- rowfully into his upifted eyes.
 And q burden upon you, the doc tor tells me. Why did you make yourself responsible for stranger?" The fair face flushed, the soft eyes were dewv with feeling as Alice said, softly:
 "Because you are old and seemed poor and friendless. l was glad it was in my power to aid you. Do not thInk it was at any great cost, she added with generous de- sire to tighten the burden of obliga- tion. q have some money lying idle"
 "For the wedding day, perhaps. Well, chlld, you might have poorer jewels to deck your bridal than an old mans tears of gratitude and love. 1 am getting well and shall soon leave you; will you give me keepsake?"
 The girl loosened little locket from a chain around her throat, cut off one of her golden curls and put it in the place of some she took out. and laid the trinket in the old mans hand
 "With my love-" she said, softly.
 "Ah, child" he sighed, "an old man, sick and feeble, wins little love-
 "Yes,' she said, earnestly, "vou must believe that have nursed you, since you were conscious, with af- lection. My own father is gone, but if you want daughters care or af- lection, believe me will gladly come to you, if possible" ."
 Three days later the cottage was deserted. Aunt Sophie and she re- turned to their homes to make up for their loss time in drcss-making and sewing, and Alice cheerfully paid out her small partrimony for the board and expenses of her venerable patient,
 She little guessed how deep an inn pression her care and tenderness had made upon the heart so longcd closed against human affection, so distrust- ful of any advance from his fellow creatures. It was a revelation to him, this active charity of an utter stranger. He had gone to the hotel merely to see Malcolm s choice, and had purposcly left all clue to his identity behind him. He had in- tended meeting Alice, if possible, un- known and watching her unob- served. but accident had thrown them together in q way he little an ticipated. The first use he made of his recovery was to write to his nephew, and Malcolm met him at the depot when he returned home.
 Knowing nothing of the recent ac- cident, the young man was shocked at the change in his uncle's face.
 "You have been ill" he cried.
 'Very ill!'
 "Why did you not send for me?"
 II had even better nursing than yours, Malcolm. Don't ask me any questions now, but tell me about your marriage preparations.
 "Alice has gone home and will remain until November. Then she comes to Mrs. Haydon's and will buy her house and furniture
 "'In November?"
 "Yes.'
 Late in November she came. Her trunks full of Aunt Sophie's dainti- est stitching, and Aunt Marcia gave her cordial greeting. A grand wed- ding was the display upon which this lady had set her heart, and Alice shrank little at the comments upon the rich uncle and her own good for tune in the fortunate match.
 But just before the wedding day little note was brought to Alice by gorgeous footman, who was driving her aunt behind private carriage. The note was from Nal colm, and begged her to come to him in the carriage.
 Wondering but obedlent, Alice was speedily ready and was driven