The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-23

1t will be a risk to move her I; and
yet she is dying in that sitting room
where she is, with no attention bui
what the landlady can give her.
thought if she could come hero"
IF She must come here. II is only
six miles to drive. VIII you order the
carriage, Fred ? and will get wraps, pill
lows, wine anything you think needful.
Ii is not too late ?p
"No. We can go in and back before
dark. How can thank you p
Something in the tone made the girls
heart contract with severe spasm OF
jealous pain. The next instant she
sid:
1t is | who thank you, Fred"
And all through the long drive to the
city she tried to keep steadily before her
Ella Blake's claim upon her gratitude
She had inherited from her uncle large
fortune, and through him she had be-
come the friend of Dr. Whiteman, dis
tant cousin, who had been with her un-
Gle in California.
From. the first hour when he had TAX
en- her hand in his warm, friendly clasp,
and given cordial assent to her uncle's
hope that they would be good friends,
he had filed place in her heart never
before opened. It was not long before
she knew that it was her uncle's dearest
wish to see her DR.. Whiteman's wife and
she let her love go from her, not realiz-
ing that in return she had received only
warm friendship.
For year after Mark Hyland's death
his niece and heiress travelled with
friends in Europe, returning to settle
down in her lovely country home, with
Mrs. Gorham, a meek widow lady, to
"play propriety."
And in that year DR.. Whiteman had
increased his city practice, so that it was
only in occasional visits be saw Alice
Hyland. Her heart had starved for him
in their long separation, and she grieyed
silently and secretly over his many en-
gagements that kept him from her. But
she knew he was proud to his hearts
core, and she was sure he was waiting to
make his own fortune before he wooed
an heiress. Not once had a thought Of
jealousy distressed her. Not once had
she anticipated rival.
But she knew in that long drive that
the love for which she had waited so
trustingly, never doubling it would be
spoken in good time, had gone from her.
Her friend-ani she said the name over
and oyer in her heart, al if to fasten it
there forever-her friend talked softly,
tenderly, of the sick glri, his voice often
trembling as be spoke of the risk ofmov-
ing her in her weak state, and then more
of the good it must do her TO
have pure air, proper food, and loving
care.
For know, he said, how you will
nurse her, Allie. No one nurses her
now, though the landlady does the best
she can. But you will give her new life.
l know how tenderly you can care for
one you love, for DO not forget your de-
votion to your uncle. 1t viii be strange
if we cannot make Miss Blake well be-
tween US, Allie"
Very solemnly, more 50 than she in
tended, Alice said:
"God grant We may"
"And in her heart she said
al will pay my debt to Ella Blake if
my own heart breaks"
For many days after the invalid be-
came Aiice's guest it seemed as if eof-
fin and a grave would be all that could
be given her. But Mrs. Gorham sud-
denly proved herself a nurse above
all praise, and Alice, though young, had
some experience. With DR.. Wbiteman
to direct them, the two ladies shared the
nursing, while Ella lay fever-bound, de-
lirious, and almost exhausted. But
youth. was strong, and the crisis once
passed, the fever broken, the mind weak
but clear, Ella began to recover. All her
pride lay PROSTATE before her gratitude
as she saw how earnestly Alice longed to
help her, and realized how near death
she had been.
And Alice, as convalescence came
fought brsvely to add her greatest sacri-
fee TO the care and comfort already Civ
en-. As mistress of the house, and nurse,
she could easily have made the meetings
bet Feen Ella and the doctor brief and
Mrs Gorham could have
been on duty" at every interview, and
they could have been made strictly pro-
fessional But Alice Hy land was rot Of
the nature 10 half coDcede any claim on
her, and having once resolved TO help
the wooing Of the man she loved, she
was the kindest Of friends to both Fred
and Ella Invitations to dine, whenever
he could escape from his practice, were
urged upon DR.. Whiteman, and Alice de-
veloped devotion to music quite new to
her. Under cover of her stormy show
pieces her brilliant bravuras, Fred aud
Ella talked, while Mrs. Gorham nodded
over her knitting. and only put in a
word occasionally, of caution about wea-
nness or chill.
Autumn was fast approaching winter,
when one morning Ella came into Al
ices room, very pale, and yet with res
DInte look in her eyes as If nerying her
self for some great trial
~Alice, DEAR she said, coming to her
friends side, and drawing her down upon
4 sofa by loving embrace, " have
letter to-day from Mrs. Laeman, the lady
v hose children nursed through scarlet
fever at the seminary. Their mother was
in Havana for her health then. Now she
writes me that she is going 70 Europe,
still in search of health, and she wishes
me to go With her as governess to Julia
and Mary She makes most liberal
offer of salary, and know she viii give
me pleasant positionas frie nd. 1t may
10 my own health good, too"
" But you are quite well AGAIN." cried
Alice.
~Yes, excepting my throat. That some
times troubles me. must begin to get
ready soon, Allie Mrs. Leeman sails ! n
two weeks, and / must go to the city for
winter shopping. Ny wardrobe cannot