The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-04-21

y ~ tied it. After
that it was no longer Annie Durrant
but ''our pink nurse with the whole
family, and it even came to pass that
she was known throughout the village
as briggs pink nurse And the name
fitted her well enough, on the whole,
as her hospital gown-she was a trained
nurse-her plump cheeks. and even her
dimpled hands and the ribbons on her
stiff cap were each and all most lively
pink.
1t all happened the summer that
brought lie her fifth birthday, when
the family were all out at the summer
home, Catalpa cottage, and when a
mighty battle was being fought in big
front room upstairs between strange
mystery we call-having no better name
death, and two famous physicians,
seconded ably by our Pink nurse.
For the grandmother was gazing past
Us all into the gloom, and, dove-like
and gentle, with all serenity, was bid
ding US farewell with a certain stately
tenderness which was all her own.
And Zie was the only one who was
happy. And she was happy, as she al
ways is happy, because she cannot, for
her life, help being So 1t is in the
warp and wool of her small being. 1t
is as much a part of her as her freckled
little nose, yellow mop of hair and
topaz eyes.
One blue summer morning, after our
invalid had had bad night and our
Pink nurse was far more white than
pink, she was sent into the old-fash.
toned garden to steal little color from
the soft air. lie Immediately extended
the hospitality of her hammock, which
was stretched lazily between two
snowy, blossoming catalpa trees, and
there the two sat and were very glad
they were alive, for it was the month
of June, which will at once explain
that gladness.
you are very pretty" said lie,
gravely, by way of being agreeable.
I'm pretty too. I'm glad. Aren't
you?'
"Oh-I don't know"
That don't sound true Are YOU
married." pursued lie, with an air.
NO"
"Why don't you get married."
Pink nurse between laughs.
But your name is Annie Hasn't
every Annie got joe" remarked lie,
with amazement.
And the story would have ended right
here before it began if man at that
moment had not been passing down the
board walk There was nothing singu-
lar about his being there, or in the fact
that mis- name should be Joe-Joe Rip
ley But after he passed. it was little
singular that the back of his neck and
ears should so closely match our Pink
nurses face, who was blusGng also.
"Oh, you awful child. What will you
do or say next? 1t was the telegraph
operator who sends the dispatches to
your grandfather in Washington-and-
his name is joe" And the Pink nurse
made a great pretense of being pain
fully shocked, and ran. with great
rustic of skirts, into the house.
And her name is Annie" added lie
to hersclf, while the pupils of her eyes
grew very big, and the little bits of
gold dust in them disappeared, and the
rest OF the day she was very quiet.
Dat chile done got sompin on her
mine" announced black Harriet in the
kitchen, as she sprinkled the clothes,
while her glances roamed across the
green of the lawn, away off to the
hammock under the catalpa trees. For
the hammock hardly moved.
Now the telegraph operator lived just
up the hill only block beyond Catalpa
cottage, and Zies hammock was very
near the board walk on which he passed
to and fro several times day.
That evening a surprise was in store
for Mr.. Ripley. Just at dusk, while all
things here were taking on the gray
greens of twilight, he walked soberly
home to supper. When exactly oppo-
site a certain hammock small voice
piped up in an authoritative manner:
Will you please be kind enough to
como here?"
Mr.. Ripley thoughtfully rubbed his
right foot over his left foot, took his
handkerchief out of the crown Of his
straw hat, and, after wiping his face,
carefully replaced it, Then followed
the suggestions offered by the small
voice:
well, kid! What is it?''
I'm not kid I'm girl. And my
name is lie. didn't know until to-day
that your name was Joe. Our Pink
nurse told me. Would you mind telling
me if you've an Annie-already?"
I've no Annie" and Mr.. Ripley
grinned.
would you like one?"
"Idont mind"
.sRecause-I know one"
'So?" 49, W IT,
Yes. That's our Pink nurses name.
She watches you from behind the cur
tain"
"So2"