The morning call., 1891-11-10
MY LITTLE WIFE.

! had pulled of my boots, put on my
slippers drawn my chair ear he fire and
the table whereon was my simple and
solitary tea. after a long and wearying
round # visits 10 poor and not very profit
abe patients. resolving 10 make up for it by
cosy evening, when the surgery bell rang,
and my servant, entering, announced:
Its the old captains niece Mr. Fermagh;
she wants to see you particular"
IN come" l said, more readily than l
should if the summons had come from any
other than Nora Carew.
Entering the surgery found awaiting me
there a young girl of about Il, no more,
attIred so simply that it might have almost
been termed humbly. But. however plain,
however humble, it could not hide the grace
Of the slender figure. nor detract from the
sweet. refined, gentle face-the large soft
gazelle-lke eyes-the ripple OF the golden
mar over the white brow, too white, as
were the smooth checks. 4 young sweet
face, yet marked by thuught-anXiety
pretty taper hands too, reddenel and rough
ened by work.
From the tirSt moment | had looked upon
Nora Carew she had won my pity-my
interest l had recently started rs doctor
In the little town OF CoomehurSt, and the
first who lad wished me success was oil
Captain Carew. He was a tall, bronzed-
featured man, with scar on the cheek got
81 lnkeIman; whila he walked with
stick, owing to an old wound in the leg, re-
ceived in some other battle.
81 wish you success, Dr. Fermagh." he
said. grimly, though that isn't kind to my
neiEhbOrs, Willie l can't promise you q
shilling of my money toward II. I've never
had a doctor, other than the army surgeon,
and never intend. don't mean TO be rude,
but / don't put faith IN doctors stun.
Luckily for you, however, other folks do,
and | wish you success"
His wishes had scarcely been realized; l
had got on" and that was about all. and
TO make a paying connection promised to be
very uphill work.
Look out for 4 wife with dowry or
good connections" said my uncle, from
whom had expectations; you are young
but you have your fortune to make; so re-
member that beauty Is skin deep, while a
good ace unit al 4 bankers is a JOY forever
AS, don't forget this-I am ready to help
those who help themselves"
BY this my uncle meant, did [ wed an
heiress, and have no great need CT his
money, he would readily supply me with
cheeks. That is a powerful temptation to
make merceuary young man, whose battle
In life promises to be hard one; and | do
net mean to say II would not have had
weight with me, had 1 come across any
marrsgeable, weldon cred lady
Still | lived in hope Of success, and joked
about II with old Captain Carew over the
fence Of bis garden as lie potteTed among
his caDbages.
He resided in quaint little cottage, sur
rounded by an uncultlyated wilderness of
an old fashioned garden. His sole attendant
WIS the niece of a haf-sister, who. being
Pennies and an orphan, he had taken cut
of charity.
Charity, indeed" my servant used to re-
mark, CHARITY begins at home; she saves
him 8 servant and he works her as he
pleases."
He may make amends for all that at his
death, smiled, for the rumOr in COome-
hurst was That Captain Carew was wealthy,
Dnt mser Certainly his relations thought
so, for they pesteTed him with attentions
until he barred his doors against them, when
they retired, using harsh terms against Nora
Carew, whom they hated like poison.
The first time | saw her she was seated in
the porch. working. l stopped, little cut
Of curiosity, u inquire how her uncle was
Raising her face TO reply, | was struck not
only by = sweetness the earnest beauty Of
tie brown gaZeile eyes, but by the care in
the latter; size was but a child. YET they DOS
sessed the expression OF a woman. They
were the eyes of girl who had never known
the brightness and Joyousness Of girlhood.
Naturally she won my compassion and
interest, and whenever l had an OppOr-
tunIty stopped to exchange q few cheerful
words; for old Captain Carew never asked
any one within his doors, and making no
friends did not permit his niece to do so.
Often after that, when l passed the gar
den, Nora would be engaged in some work
there, or at one OF the windows, TO look up
and smile as / went by, so that l knew the
poor child was glad VI even this little break
in her mOnotOnous life. When | spoke OF
her to her uncle he would rei0in:
She's q good girl; she has her faults;
what girl has not? l think she's grateful
as she ought to be. I'm the only friend she
has-this the only home. | took her out of
charity, and, with an amused chuckle, do
not my relations hate her? They have de-
cided that l am rich, and miSer so are
jealous she viii get it all"
Altogether Captain CaTew seemed scarce
ly an amlable character.
So some months had passed, and / had
got accustomed 10 look for pretty Nora
CaTew each morning as | passed, when this
one Size failed TO appear, and now In the
evening she stood before NE pale and trou-
bed.
"oh, DR.. Fermaghv she said, putting her
rongh little hands together. will you help
me? Uncle has SAID he'll never have a doc
tor in tie house, and now he is 80 i'll l don't
know what to dO!'
Has he refused to see me, Miss Carew ?"
Inquired, my heart full Of compassion for
her.
"This morning he said he would have no
doctors, but he is worse now" she an
swered; sometimes l cannot understand
what he says"
Good heavensF I CALCULATED, for 1
EueSseu paralysis MISS CareW, l Will
undertake the responsibility; if your uncle
be offended let it be with me. Fll come at
once"
Her eyes frightened with tears of graft
tide.
"oh, thank you, doctor. thank you
thousand tlmes! and her tone made my
nerves thrill! strangely. Getting my hat, |
went back with her. l had never been into
the cottage before. and as l looked around
was amazed at the refinement displayed
me neatness and brightness of everything,
all owing to this child housekceper.
Nora Carew nj once led me to the old
captains room. He lay on tie bed breath
Ing heavi y, his eyes closed. One glance at
his lace showed me that he had not many
hours to live. His last roll-call would soon
be called and he must answer.
He was in half sleep. half stuDor / did
what could, then took my place bv his
side; l could not leave this young child
alone with dying man. L thought it right
to tell her the truth, and then she burst into
passionate weeping.
He is your only frieud-this your only
home-is it not SOP" l said com. assion-
ately;
-" Yes. But it is not that; it is the losing
him. lie has strange ways but he has been
yery-very good to me-"
Nora was one of those women who, as
"Ouida" says, have dogs natures. Her grief
Was unselfish aud genuine for him who
might have been kinder.
aShVh hCl II bhC Au6W where his TeIu-
tons lived, and whether they should be in
formed. l noticed she shuddered at my
mention Of them, but replied promptly that
she wished II. 1t was best that they should
be there. What might they not say If they
we're notP Poor child; 1t was easy to see
she was frightened Of them, but trusted
her uncle had placed her beyond reach Of
their jealous spite.
Two hours later old Captain Carew showed
signs Of consciousness. / knew the end was
no m
his eyes opened and rested on her; they
were dlm, but an anxious, and strained ex-
preston was In theni-his lips moved.
lie wishes to speak," i said, but the
girl, overcome, had sunk on her knees by
the bed. and, weeping, was kissing the al
ready clay cold hand.
Old Captain Carew's eyes were turned
quickly on me irritably. the white lips
twitched. bent my head to them.
"Speak," l said. II listen"
Nora" came the faint sounds "March
eyes front-leftf oot-right-ado zen-half-
whrel-the--the-"