The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-06-11

take him to the station. I think I will
. MN to the little cottage where I
board. 1t will cost less and be more
quiet"
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice was out
raging the proprietors most dreadfully
when the young girl went to the cottage
and offered her services as nurse to the
doctor; but Aunt Sophie silenced COM
ment by moving her belongings from the
hotel to the quiet clearinghouse, and
the doctor found he had a valuable assist
ant.
Alice explained, in her quiet, low voice,
that her father was i'll for nine months,
before he died, and she was his nurse.
This accounted for the noiseless woollen
dresses, the velvet-shod feet, the quick
eyes and ready hand, and when the suf-
ferer recovered consciousness, the gentle
voice n tact that Quoted him in parox-
ysms of pain and fever. Aunt Sophie
was too much of an invalid herself to
help, but she sat beside the bed while
Alice moved to and fro, made dainty
soups n tempting dishes, and performed
all nursing duties.
The invalid had one long talk with the
doctor and then submitted to the gentle
minlstrations of the two women, only in
slstlng upon a man the doctor provided
being with him at night and within cali.
The season was over, and only those
three remained of the summer boarders at
the little cottage, when one cool October
day the sick man, now fast recovering,
called Alice to him.
81 shall 500 be well again." he said,
regretfully.
Eyes" she answered, cheerily; Every
soon"
Il shall miss my nurse"
And [ my patient; but I am glad you
are recovering. We were afraid at one
time there would be a more painful part
ing"
"You mean I was in danger of dying.
Why should that be painful, 1 am OLD"
She made no answer, looking sorrow
fully into his uplifted eyes.
"And a burden upon you, the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
respon sible for a stranger"
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes were
dewy with feeling as Alice said, softly:
Because you are old ard seemed poor
and friendless. I was glad it wa in my
power to aid you. Do not think it was
any great cost" she added, with a gener-
Gus desire to tighten the burden of obliga-
ton. az have some money lying idle"
"For the wedding day, perhaps. Well,
child, 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 a keepsake p
The girl loosened a 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, ian old man,
sick and feeble, wins little love-"
Yes" she said, earnestly, you must
believe that l have nused you, since you
were conscious with affection. My own
father is gone, buff you want a daughters
care or affection, believe me, 1 will gladly
come to you, if possible"
Three days latter the cottage was de-
serted. Aunt Sophie and she returned to
their home to make up for their lost time
in dress-making and sewing, and Alice
cheerfully paid out of her small patrimony
for the board and expenses of her
able patient.
She little guessed how deep an impress
sion her care and tenderness had made
upon tue heart SO long closed against hu-
man affection, 50 distrustful Of any ad-
vances from his fellow-creatures. II was
a revelation to him, this active charity Of
an utter stranger. He had gone to the
hotel merely 20 see Malcolm's choice, aad
had purposely left all clew to his identity
behind him. He had intended meeting
Alice, if possible, unknown, and watching
her unobserved, but accident had thrown
them together in a way he little antici-
pated. The first use he made of his re-
covery was to write to his nephew, and
Malcolm met him at the depot when he
returned home.
Knowing nothing of the recent acci-
dent, the young man was shocked at the
change in his uncle'S face.
"You have been ill?" he cried.
every ILL.,"
why did you not send for me?"
81 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 M to
Mrs. Haydon's and will buy her house
and furniture"
elm November ?"
eyes"
Late in November she came. Her
trunks full of Aunt Sophie's daintiest
stitching, and Aunt Marcia gave her cor
dial greeting. A grand wedding was the
display upon which this lady had set her
heart, and Alice shrank a little at the
comments upon the rich uncle and her
own good fortune in the fortunate match.
But just before the wedding day a little
note was brought to Alice by a gorgeous
footman, who was driving her aunts be-
hind a private carriage. The note was
from Malcolm, and begged her to come
to him in the carriage.
Wondering, but obedient, Alice was
speedily ready and was driven to a hand