Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-03-28
Mecha0cbw Frederick County, Maryland Thursday March 28, 1885,

II vi sc W LuC uOIhoII DuC 1A"A' oot'iI
silenced comment by moving her be-
longings from the hotel to the quiet
clearinghouse, and the doctor found
he had 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 noise
less WOODEN dresses, the velvet sho1
feet the quick eve and ready hand,
and, when the sufferer recovered cou
seriousness, the gentle voice and tact
that quieted him in paroxysms Of pain
and fever. Aunt Sophie was too much
of an invalid herself to help, but she
sat beside the bel while Alice moved
too and fro, made dainty soups and
tempting dishes, and performed all
nursmg duties.
The invalid had one long talk with
the doctor and then submitted to the
gentle minlstrations of the two women,
onl y assisting upon q man the doctor
provided beng 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 o.
tober day the sick man, now fast recov
ering, called Alice to him.
I shall soon be well again he said
regretfnily.
Yes she answered, cheerlly; very
SOON
i shall miss my nurse
And | my patient, bat l am glad
you are recovering. We were afraid at
one time there would be a mare PAIN
full parting
You mean | was in danger Of dying.
Why should that be painful, | am old.
She made no answer, looking sorrow-
fully into his upIifted eyes.
And IA burden upon you, the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
responsible for a stranger"
The far face flushed, the soft eyes
we're d-wy with feeling rs Alice said,
softly:
Because you are old and seemed
poor and frlen iless was glad it was
in my power to aid you. Do not think
it was at my great cost, she added,
with generous desire to lighter the
burden Of obligation. 4 have some
money lying idle.
For the wedding day, PERHAPS
Well. child, you might have poorer jew
els to deck your bridal than an old
man S tears Of gratitude and love. | am
getting well AMI soon shall leave you;
will you give me Il keepsake:
The girl oosened little locket q
chain round her throat, cut oft one Of
her golden curls anI put in the place
of some she took out and laid the trlnk-
ct IN the old man hand.
with my love. she said, softly.
'Ah, child lie sighed; an old man,
sick and feeble, win. little love.
Yet, she SAID, earnestly, you must
believe that | have nur5eJ you, slnce
you were conscious, with affection. My
own father Is gone but il eyer you want
Il daughter care or affection, believe
me, | will gladly come to You, if posi-
ble
She little guessed how deep an i'm.
preston her care and tenderness mad
made upon the heart SO long ago clio ed
against human affection, SO dlStru5ttu |
of any advances from his fellow Great
lres. 1t was Il revelation to him, tins
active charity of an utter stranger. tie
had gone to the hotel merely to see
Malcolm's choice aud had purposely
left all clew to his identity behind him.
He had ntende meeting Alice, if pos.
sible unknown, and Watching her I'M
observed, but accldent had thrown
ther together in way he little antlcl-
pated. 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 acct
dent, the young nan was shocked at
the change in his uncle's face.
You have been lll?' he cried.
Very ILL.,
Why did you not send for me:
4 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. Haydens and will buy her
house aud furniture.
In Noyember?'
yes.
,,,,o n ,r