Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-28

family. Therefore, feeble and near to death
as 1 was l made up my mind that 1 would
pull through. There was never a kinder
nurse than wiZened uncouth Mrs. Crump
(Mrs. Swatman's mummiSed assistant be-
fore mentioned), turned out to be. The
hired nurse was as callous and repugnant as
nine out of ten of her class are; but Mrs.
Crump, who would tend me while the pro-
fessional took her daily exercise, was a ray
of sunshine in the room. She was always
good-humored and hopeful; she smoothed
my pillows raised my head, or arranged the
bed with the lightest of hands. Often did
scream for her when the hired nurse was
causing me the most acute pain by her
rough handling. Nurses are born, not
made. But at the best, had hard time of
it. Those who fall sick in chambers are apt
to suffer grievously. More than once during
those 4S hours 1 feared that the parrot con-
stitution would be worsted after all.
However they passed, and was not dead
yet. 1 began to mend; slowly but surely
the improvement went on, and in due time
became so far convalescent as to be able. with
assistance to get from one room to another. A
new trouble now loomed in my horizon. On
looking into the state of my finances made
the unpleasant discovery that. after settling
various Liabilities incurred by my Illness L
should be left with a balance of not more than
Sl0 or El2 at Praed's, out of which there would
be a heavy chemists bill to pay. Ny dividends
were not due until December, and was de-
barred from forecaling them by the provision
of the will under which l obtained them. and
which forbade me to assign, charge or encum-
Der" the property, under penalty of seeing it
depart into the clutches of distant connec-
tion. Not without much reluctance therefore
resolved to write to my aunt Johanna and ask
her to come TO my assistance. After l had
done this feeling of conditional resignation
came over me. l had swallowed my pride, and
such dose, after all the other nostrums had
been taxing, ought surely to bring about some
sort of improvement in my unlucky state.
The same day on which wrote this letter to
my aunt. L was enlivened by call from Mr..
Bruce. He had looked in on me several times
during my illness, and had made the kndest
inquiries as to my progress. He now sat down
on the other side of my fireplace, and we had a
long conversation about genealogies and pedi-
grees, Mr.. Bruce's second (hobby) horse; and
before be took his leave had become tolerably
well acquainted with the story of the famous
Dunedin peerage, and with the efforts Mr..
Bruce had made during 20 years past to make
and only one, was still wanting to the compile
tion of the chain of evidence forged with SO
much perseverance. 1t was necessary to prove
the marriage of Dalrymple Bruce and Tryphena
Maddams-a runaway couple who were sup
posed to have been united in matrimonial bonds
Somewhere about the year 1884 Their marriage
certificate had been advertised for, and large
reward offered for il, in every newpaper in the
three kingdoms. Hundreds of registers had
been personally inspected; but the much desired
entry had never been discovered. Gradually
as 1 listened to my visitors narrative of his
bafied but still hopeful efforts, something of
his own enthusiasm and eagerness in the pur-
suit communicated itself to me; probably
was in a more than usually impressionable
state, owing TO the bodily weakness caused by
my illness; but, at all events, when put my
uand in his at parting felt that sympathized
with him heartily, aud that, had it been in my
power. would have assisted him as tar as in
me lay.
And who knows but 1 might be able to as
sist him?' / said to myself after he had gone.
"There are more reasons than one why it would
be desirable to put Mr.. Bruce under an obliga-
tiOn. Mary. Mary! what If the discovery of
your great t-greatgrandmothers marriage regis
ter were to bring about the creation of our
own! Oh, Mary! wish might see you now
shall never be quite my own man again until
the light of your sweet eyes have shone on me
once more. All, me! If 1t were possiblei-well,
and why not?"
This last thought made me sit upright in my
chair and draw quicker breath. Why not, in
deed? / never did have overweening respect
for the proprieties and conventonalities of
Mrs. Grurdy. Marys face and figure, Maryis
voice and Mary's eyes. as had seen them that
last happy day at NARROW, haunted me ever It
was really intolerable that we should be kept
apart. i could not muster up courage to speak
to her father now. since my worldly prospects
were even more unpromising than before; and
since, moreover, the long sickness which had
reduced me to a skeleton had taken out of me
the greater part of such audacity as had ever
possessed No, could not speak to Mr.. Bruce
though it was certainly my duty to do so But,
after thinking over the matter all night and
part of the next day, 1 did something which,
from one point of view, required more audacity
still. 1 wrote to Mary. / wrote her a long
passionate, imploring letter. begging her to
come to see me, if only for five minutes. 1t
was wrong and selfish; but could not help it
Mrs. Crump posted the letter
The following day sat beside the fire in a
state of feverish expectation. Every knock at
the door sent the blood flooding to my heart;
and of course every one who had any btsiuess
message or parcel for me must needs choose that
day of all days to call That knocker was kept
going with monotonous regularity.
So the morning passed away, and the after
noon set in. But at 8 O'Clock precisely, Mrs.
Swatman came in with a mysterious air.
"A lady TO see you. sir"
At lasti Oh. it was too much happiness to
be truel With the help of my two sticks
raised myself up. and hobbled to the door in an
ecstacy Of delight The green baize screen
was pulled aside. and in a moment was in the
AIMS of-of my Aunt JohannaI