Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-05-31

1 deemed IL advisable TO find some COM
Portable shelter at once for him II his
/ life was TO be preserved.
1T Is three miles 10 toan. Who lives
/ In that cottage?" inquiries the captain Of
I the crew.
Don't know her name, but shes .
widow lady with daughter"
Follow me, lads, and bring him care
fully"
In very few seconds he taps sharply
at the door, and is met by kindiy-look-
ing old lady.
"a poor fellow. ma'am, nearly
drowned just of the wreck win you
take him IMP His life depends upon L. y
Heaven help him; put him on the
sofa"
''Thank you. ma'am, warmth 10 what
be needs
And while the men who remained
changed his wet clothes for the blankets
they had been supplied with Mrs. Ellis
Ter busted herself in preparing bed for
him in the adjoining room-
But recovery was not Immediate; In.
deed, for many days the doctor despaired
OF saving his life, and credited the prog
ress he eventually made TO the tender
and contant nursing Of tho poor widow.
''Ah, doctor, she said one day, In re-
buttai Of his compliments. II have 10
thank strangers for caring for my own
daughter, who has been grievously sick.
though they told me nothing till all
danger was past Some love affair, |
fancy. She will be here In few days
as she Is not fit 10 work yet awhile
You deserve the best OF daughters
Meanwhile, remember this young man
needs every care; there is an apathy in
his speech which may result from his
weakness. but has led me 10 think that
his mind Is little unhing.d." and
with these words of caution the doctor
went bis way.
One week from that day dear Mrs.
Ellsier's heart was ffuttering wildly In
the expectation OF her daughters
arrival.
She was not disappointed in this, but
the tears started TO her eyes when she
beheld the pale face and wasted form OF
Martha. who really needed assistance 10
alight from the buggy-she who had
often prided herself upon her dexterity
in jumping over the wheels and all TO
the ground.
K oh. mother mother" sobbed the
poor wanderer, there's no place like
home. Would | might never have TO
leave this haven OF peace and rest.
could lie down and die here, mother.
without a pang"
MY dearie. don't talk OF dying; you
are til, child, come in. No, let us take
the back door. my patient is In that
room. and you had better not disturb
him. lie Is stronger than he was, but
the shock OF the shipwreck has left him
cloudy In The brain"
That evening Martha Ellsler stole
quietly to the little. upright piano and
ran her nimble fingers over tho keys
Her thoughts were still OF Robert
Hickman and his desertion OF her, and
in spite OF the certain evidence she had
that he had cared but little for her, she
found comfort In the melody as in the
words Of Some Day"
She was singing the second verse when
the door of the patients room opened
gently, and q figure, all expressive OF
veneration and wonder, watched and
listened.
The last strain was floating In the air,
the last words: ~ love you now" when
Martha's heart Allied too full and her
face fell forward buried in her handker-
chief, as she cried:
'.ah, Robert Robert, my darling, how
could yon leave me without worda'
You did not want me. | had to sol''
1t was hoarse whisper the words
were uttered in. and Martha rose as she
tnrped, but stood dumfounded rs she
recognized In her mothers patient the
man SHE loved.
Martha, why did you uct answer my
letter II you loved me2'
What letter. | know OF none"
ibid not Jessie deliver my note the
day after our last chat at the gate?'
She had not. as tho reader knows and
on learning this he was not slow to re-
peat Its contents, and beg her to be HIS
wife.
When Mrs Ellsler came TO bring her
daughter 10 supper she found aha had
company, and scarcely recognized her
late patient, whose dull. meaningless
expression had given place 10 one OF
bright intelligence and radiant hope.
Mother, darling. this is Mr.. Robert
Hickman. my future husband
II was not until many happy months
had passed over their heads that they
had an opportunity of questioning Jes-
ale, when, With a sudden fash OF recol-
lection. she confessed her negligence,
and led them TO the old elm tree, where.
safe in It's nook, they found the lost
lovo-tetter. Family Story Paper.