The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-07

forty-two" for Winifred's, aud they affirm
that such devotion can only have one posi-
bile ending.
Wnifred has found herself made the sub
ject Of a good deal OF innocent banter in
consequence, and unfortunately she cannot
prevent the tell-tale color leaping into her
face whenever Number forty-twon is men
.ioned by one of the railing siseerhood in the
significant tone of Nurse Gore.
There, declare he is never satisfied un-
le you are near him. she continues.
Morning, noon and night. IL is always the
same. where is Nurse WestF Cannot
Nurse West comet Please tell Nurse West
that wish very much to speak 70 her, if it
IS not iuc9nvenient.' He cannot help making
you an oGer before he leaves. You see If
he Doesn't
But Wiuitred, who had laid aside her
plain swing Oh which sac was engaged
when the summons came, turned away e.
leave the room before Nurse Gore had time
10 complete this address, so that the latter
missed seeing the face dyed scarlet with
which Nurse Vest hurried awny t. the
ward where number forty-twO" was lying.
Perhaps the blushes would have been less
quick to come into Winifred's face if there
had not been some consciousness in her
mind, though imperfectly realized, that
dangerous Intimacy had boon established
between number forty-two" and herself
which was destined to affect the whole cur
rent of her life for good or for evil
1t was certainly remarkable that no
change i'll Winifred's appearance was over
lest on her patient. he looked at her in
quiringlY when she came 10 the bed on
which no was lying, and before she had
time to speak, he asked:
What is the matter, nurses You look
quito heated"
"Do you want anything. Mr.. Macleanl"
she asked, deftly seeking to turn the CONVEX
sation away from herself.
YES, want you" was the reply, deliv-
cred with unnecessary fervpr. Are you so
very busy that you cannot spare fellow
i've minutes"
81 am not too busy to do anything that
you require" said Winifred, distantly.
"Can get you anythingW
YES, you may pass that basket of grapes,
if you please"
Winifred brought Co Mr. Meclean beau
tiful basket of English hot-house grapes.
"Now help yourself" he said with
quantity authoritative air.
"Really you know that | must not do
that" replied Winifred, making feint Of
obedience by tearing one grape from the
rich, heavy dark clusters.
But this perfuRctory COMPLIANCE with his
wishes did cot satisfy Mr.. Maclean, who
took the basket from Winifred's hands, and
selecting the finest cluster placed it iii her
lap.
please don't" exclaimed Winifred in
a distressed tone. 1T is very kind OF you,
bat is very wrong. l really cannot take
Uhem.n
"What nonsense" cried Mr.. Maclean, i'm
patiently. II suppose l may give bunch OF
grapes to my nurse without breaking the
rules Of the establishment. If not, SO much
worse for tho the rules
''It is not that Mr.. Maelean," cried Wini-
fred, speaking hurriedly. ut is not that at
all. 1t is--it is-n
Winifred broke down in her endeavor to
explain. How could she tell him that such
attentions as these, harmless though they
were, provoked comment among the
nurses, which she was anxious to avoid for
his sake no less than for her Owni How
could she tell him that unless he required
her services he had better refre n rom send
ing such messages as the one which Nurse
Gore had just delveredl Yet this was what
she had in her mind to say when she began
to speak. The consciousness that she was
about to commit herself, which checked her
speech now served to cover her with fresh
confusion.
How pretty you look when you blush,
exclaimed Mr. Maclean. mot that you
don'tlook pretty at other times. You do.
But when you blush Do you know,
Miss West, he continued more earnestly,
do you know that you are the loveliest
woman / ever saw"
TIE frank audacity with which the COM
pliment was uttered robbed it bfits offensive.
ness. Nothing was further from Mr.
Maclean's intention than to wound Winifred
by uDfneanihg hattery. BE was Simply be-
trayed into expressing, in thGt downright
boyish manner, which sat 50 well upon him,
Whist was to him cardinal article Of be-
lief, and what he felt must be the fixed
opinion OF every other person who saw
Winifred.
Certainly the compliment was not
rolled by since last we saw
Winifred. sitting sad and lonely in
the hotel at York. Toey have been months
of hard work, for she was fortunate enough,
after a brief training, to be appointed one OF
nurses at the Wes5 End hospital, where she
found her duties anything but "A siRecure.
But they have been months OF serene peace
and happiness and they have effected won
ders for her both in mind and body. She
has been at rest within herself, knowing
that she was usefully and honorably en-
ployed. and her health had returned with
the revival OF her spirits. Her cheeks have
recovered their rounded outlines, and her
supple graceful figure has acquired full
ness which was wanting when she was first
presented to the feeder, ana winch now de-
clares itself in magnificent curves, on which
the artistic eye Of the Hon. Claude Macean
dwels with an artists delight in the beauti-
full. Nevertheless Winifred resented the
admiration which MIR. Maclean makes no
effort to conceal
lyon make me very uncomfortable when
you speak in this way,n she said imploringly.
~ wish you would not do it. Remember
am servant here, earning my bread, and
paid for my services, and liable to be dis
missed at a moments notice"
~ will remember nothing Of the kind"
retorted MIR. Maclean, hotly. And then see
ing the grave look Of annoyance that passed
over the beautiful fece of his nurse, he
added penitently. II will only remember
that you are lady, and l will try in the tu-
ture not to annoy you"
Winifred returned him a grateful glance
and thanked him, and Mr. Maciean turned
the conversation into O new channel.
'How do you like my motheri" he asked.
81 think Lady FaloonridRe is exceedingly
handsome" she replied. ''She Is the sweet
est lady. too, that have ever known"
''5he has taken o. great fancy to you. She
ia not Sweet as you call 1t, TO everybody.
II Is only when sne takes TO a person, and
she has taken TO you amazingly. She can
be most oppressiYely dignihed and chilling,
l assure you, when she takes a dislike"
Sac has not oppressed you very MUCH"
said Winifred, smiling.
"No,n cried Mr.. Macleap, laughing msr-
rily. "The dear mother has just left me 10
gang my ain gait as we say IL Scotland.n