Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-02-20


injured man the surgeon, still busy
binding up his arm as he lay upon a
bench, brought from the ruined sum-
mer-house, felt a light touch on bis
hand, and looked up to see little figure
in mourning, with a sweet face, very
pale.
"Can 1 help your" Alice Hunter
asked.
'No, child, not now"
what will they do with him ?''
Il suppose he must go to New York
hospital
"But the ride-the journey ?"
"Will cause great additional suffering,
perhaps result in DEATH"
Doctor, will they keep him here if he
is paid for? ?"
Certainly; but there is not money
enough about him to pay his board a
week"
II will pay it."
"You?"
eyes; I will not let him die for want
of money [ have. He"-and her lip
quivered-s'h looks like my dear faith
er who is dead"
"H'm-yes. Here come the fellows
to take him to the station. | think I will
take him to the little cottage where /
board. It will cost less and be more
quiet
Mrs. CORTLAND declared Alice was out
raging the proprieties most dreadfully
when the young girl went to the cot
tage and offered her services as nurse to
the doctor; but Aunt Sophie silenced
comment by moving her belongings
from the hotel to the quiet boarding
house, and the doctor found he had a
valuable assistant.
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
the quick eve and ready hand, and,
when the sufferer recovered conscious
ness, the gentle voice and tact that
quoted him IL paroxysms of pain and
fever. Aunt Sophie was too much OF an
invalid herself to help, but she sat be-
side the bed while Alice moved to
and fro, made dainty soups and tempt
ing dishes, and performed all nursing
duties.
The invalid had one long talk with
the doctor and then submitted to the
gOntle administration of the two wo-
men, only insisting upon man the
doctor provided being with him at
night and within call.
The season was over, and only those
three remained of the summer boarders
at the little cottage, when one cool Oc-
tober day the sick man, now fast recov-
ering. called Alice to him.
81 shall soon be we'll again." he said
regretfully.
eyes," she answered cheerily; every
soon"
Il shall miss my nurse"
SAn6 t NV Yofionf. h,f r on, r1o Il uo,,
are recovering. We were afraid at one
time there would he more painful
parting"
You mean | was in danger of dying.
Why should that be painful. l am
old"
She made no answer, looking sorrow
fully into his uplifted eyes.
And burden upon you, the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
responsible for stranger ?'
The lair face flushed, the soft eyes
were deWy with feeling as Alice said
softly:
Because you are old and seemed
poor and friendless. / was glad it was
in my power to aid you. Do not think
it was at any great cost" she added,
whh a generous desire to tighten the
burden of obligation. 81 have some
uOuCy 1IS 1OI0.
For the wedding day perhaps. Well,
child, you might have poorer jewels to
deck your bridal than an old mans
tears and gratitude and love. l am get
ting well and shall soon leave you; will
you give me keepsake ?'
The girl loosened a little locket from
the chain round 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" ne sighed, s.an old man,
sick and feeble, wins little love-
Yet" she said, earnestly, ''you
must believe tfat [ have nursed you
since you were conscious, with affection.
My own father is gone, but if you ever
want daughters affection, believe me.
will gladly come to you, ii possible.
Three days later the little cottage was
desert ted. Aunt Sophie and she re-
lost time on dressmaking and servings and
patrimony for the board and expense
of her venerable patient.
She little guessed how deep an i'm
preston her care and tenderness had
made upon the heart so long closed
against human affection, so distrustful
of any advances from his fellow crea-
lures. 1t was revelation to him, this
active charity of an utter stranger He
had gone to the hotel merely to see
Malcolm choice and had purposely left
all ciew to his identity behind him. He
had intended meeting Alice, if possible,
and watching her unob-
served, but accident had thrown them
together in way he little anticipated.
The first use he made of his recovery
was to write to his nephew, and NAL
colin met him at the depot when he re-
turned home.
Knowing nothing Of the recent acct
dent, the young man was shocked at
the change in his uncle's face.
"You have been i'll ?'' 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 re-
main until November. Then she comes
to Mrs. Haydon's and will buy her
house and furniture"
"In November %
eyes"
Late in November she came. her