Wichita eagle., 1889-02-27
III cost less and be more quiet. .


when the young girl went to the cottage
and offered her services as nurse to the
doctor; but Aunt Sophie silenced comment
by moving her belongings from the hotel tx
the quiet boardinghou 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 be
fore he died, and she was his nurse This
accounted for the noiseless wooden dresses
the velvet-shod feet, the quick eye and ready
hand, and, when the sufferer recovered CON
sciousness, the gentle voice and tact that
quoted him in paroxysms 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 and tempting dishes, and performed
all nursing duties.
The invalid had one long talk with the
doctor and then submitted to the gentle
mlnlstratlons of thetwo women. only insist.
ing upon a man the doctor provided being
with him at night and within call
Inc 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
Il shall soon be well again." he said, re-
gretfully.
eyes," she answered, cheerily; 'svery
soon"
81 shall miss my nurse"
land / my patient; but I am glad YOU
are recovering We were afraid at one
time there would be more painful part
ing
'You mean was in danger of dying.
Why should that be painful i am old.''
She made no answer, looking sorrowfully
into his upllfted eyes.
And burden upon you, the doctor tells
me. Why did you make yourself RESPONSE
BILE for strangers"
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes were
dewy with feeling as Alice said, softly:
because you are old and seemed poor
and friendless. l was glad it was in my
power to aid you. Do not think it was at
any great COST she added, with generous
desire to tighten the burden of obligation
81 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 graf
itude and love. am getting well and shall
soon leave you: will you give me keep
sake?n
The girl loosened little locket from a
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" he sighed, ian old man,
sick and feeble, wins little love"
Yet" she said, earnestly, "you must
believe that have nursed you, since you
were conscious, with affection. My own
father is gone, but if ever you want
daughters care or affection, believe me, l
will gladly come TO you, If possible"
Three days later the little cottage was de-
serted. Aunt Sophy and she returned to
their home TO make up for their lost time in
dress-making and sewing, and Alice cheer
fully paid out of her small patrimony for
the board and expense of her venerable
patient
She little guessed how deep an impress
sion her care and tenderness had made upon
the heart SO long closed against human af-
lection, so distrustful of any advances from
his fellow-creatures. It was a revelation
TO him, this active charity of an utter
stranger. He had gone to the hotel merely
to see Malcolms choice and had purposeiy
left all clew to his identity behind him. He
had intended meeting Alice, if possible, un-
known, and watching her unobserved 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 Malcolm met him at the depot
when he returned home
Knowing nothing of the recent accident,
the young man was shocked at the change
in his uncle's face.
"You have been ill?n he cried
every i'll"
"Why did you not send for me?7
az had even better nursing than yours,
Malcolm. Don't ask me any questions now,
but tell me about your marriage prepare
tons"
alice has gone home and viii remain
until November. Then she comes to Mrs.
Haydon's and Will buy her house and fur
nituren
." In Novemberln
yes"
Late in Novem Der she came. Her trunks
full of Aunt Sophy's daint1est stitching.
and Aunt Marcia gave her cordial greet
ing. 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 ''6rstrate match
But just before the wedding day a lit e
note was brought to Alice by gorgeous
footman, who was driving to her aunt's he
mind a private carriage. The note was from
and begged her to come to him, in
The carriage.
Wondering, but obedient, Alice was
speedily ready, and was driven to hand
some brown stone house, where the door
vas opened to usher her into a stylish
where gee teman awaited
Ter, and Malcolm, advancing, said:
MY Uncle Hiram, Alice"
Kindly blue eyes looked into her. own.
yithered hands were extended. and a voice
he knew well said:
Eve are old friends, Malcolm Are we
rot, Alice."
Then, before she could answer, the old
nan continued.
Il have thought, Alice, that it wa unkind
o have my nephew wait for my cath be-
ore sharing my wealth. / have borne a
urse OF distrust In my heart for MANY
ears, thinking my money won m all the
Election, save Malcolm'S, that WIS offered
ne. But though you are well content to
Ved the young clerk, and put your own
into his home, you must not re
use my heir, who has accepted from me an
lcome that makes HIM indere ndent, and
his home"
MY love for Malcolm can ber!r riches or
overty,n was the answer: "but, sir, our
ONE needs you You will ccrae. will Won /
OF, to the children, who viii try to make /
our life happy by loving car e. Long be-
1re l knew you. Malcolm toll me be hoped. /
hen he had ahome, to win on to live IN it.
'ill you let me, too, beg of ,uu to come to
sr'
''Gladly, child! Gladlyro the old man
aid.