Nevada County picayune., 1889-09-18

lonable frivolity, he was convinced that the girl had been won by the prospect of Malcolm's heirship to his own fortune He had seen in the future his nephew estranged from him by the influence of a dressy empty-headed woman, or, still more appalling, his nicce-to-be making false protestations of affection, with hope of winning golden favors.
 While he unused upon the conver- sation he had overheard, the silvery voices of his young neighbors still sounding beside him, there was a sudden crash, something struck him npon the head and he lost con- Sciousness.
 Cries from the summer-housc from groups of people collected in the grounds, brought a party of men speedily to the spot. The rotton posts supporting the roof upon one side had given away and the side and roof had fallen in. Mrs. Courtland and Miss Hunter were buried under the fallen timbers. but were unln- jured. Not so with the old gentle man who had been their unsuspected listener. He was taken out pallid and senseless.
 Nobody knew him. He had come by the morning train, had taken breakfast, but no room, and asked the hour for the return train. A sur geon, summoned as speedily as pos sible, announced q broken arm and an injury to the head, making a like lihood of long tedious illness. There was some animated discussion, some suggestions of hospital, a search through the pockets of the uncon- scious victim, resulting in the finding of q small sum of money, but no let ters. papers or cards. and finally a desertion of one and another, each going his or her own way, with the comforting reflection.
 Its none of my business.
 But when they had all deserted the injured man, the surgeon, still busy binding up his arm as he lay upon bench brought from the ruined sum- mer house, felt light touch on his hand, and looked up to see little figure in mourning, with sweet face, very pale.
 "Can I help you?' Alice Hunter asked.
 No, child, not now"
 What will they do with him?"
 II suppose he must go to New York hospital" "
 But the ride, the journey
 twill cause great additional sui fering, perhaps result in death.'
 "Doctor, will they keep him here if he is paid for:'
 "Ccrtainly ; but there is not mon ey enough about him to pay his board week"
 II will pay it.''
 "You?'
 "Yes; l will not let him die for want of money l have. Hc-"and her lips quivered-''he looks like my dear father who is dead" "
 "H'm-yes. Here comes the fel- lows to take him to the station. l think will take him to the little cot tage where l board.
 Mrs. Courtland declared Alice was outraging the proprieties most aw- fully, when the young girl went to the cottage and offered her services to the doctor; but Aunt Sophie si- fenced comment by moving her be- longings from the hotel to the quiet boarding house, and the. doctor soon found he had valuable assistant.
 Alice explained, in her quiet, low voice, that her father was ill for nine months before he died, and she was his nurse. This accounted for the noiscless wooden dresses, the velvet shod feet, the quick eye and ready hand, and when the sufferer recover ed consciousness, the gentle voice and tact that quieted him n paroX- ysms of pain and fever. Aunt So- phia was too much of an invalid to help, but she sat by the bed while Alice moved to and fro, made dainty soups and tempting dishes, and per formed all nursing duties.
 The invalid had one long talk with the doctor and then submitted to the gentle ministrations of the two wo- men. only insisting upon man the doctor provided being with him at