The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-05-06
ne was still angrlly disconnected at findlng
she had taken no heed whatsoever of his

for a week or,two longer" she said brightly.
But that should not be so great hard,
ship to you. In your present state how could
you be better off there than hcres'
She was looking frankly into hisByss, and
the beauty of her expression killed his small
touch of rancor.
Il should be worse off" he said, flushing
warmly;"I should be without my. nurse"
No; we supply nurses to private eases.
You would probably have had one in your
own home as good as am" returned she
calmly. {
''Still, 1t wouldn't be you" said he. Phcn,,
"Do you like the life here2'
"Yes."
There was as much MOI as Yes in this an
swer, and it puzzled him. :
ut is a hard life," he said.
Most lives are hard, returned hesentcn-
tiously.
This checked him for time, but the de-
mon of curiosity having made him his prey,
lie was compelled to 60 OH again.
"What is your name," he asked.
"Nurse Eva"
-'forget that. But your other name, l
mean"
1t had tormented him inconceivably in his
sick moments to think 1t might be Smith or
Jones.
There was short, but eloquent pause.
When 1t had gone by she turned and looked
him fairly in the face.
Il have no other name," she said cly.
She got up from her seat, and moved to-
ward the window.
~ beg your pardon I'm s,lre!' exclaimed
he, horror-sricken with shame at his mis-
take. II assure you didn't mean til"
"lf you excite yourself you will have a re-
lapse, and not be able to leave us even as
soon as l have said" interrupted she, with
increasing codness. "rhink of the misery
of that, and compose YOURSELF
A suspicion of scorn in her manner check
ed further speech on his part. He turned on
his side and feigned slumber. But he could
not get her face out of his thoughts. That
last little touch of hauteur had become her.
Strange to say--for one in her claSs--it had
suited her had seemed to belong to her of
right! What brute he was to ask her such
a question! Surely she had right to her
own secrets; and yet--yct he wished now her
name had been honest Jones or Smith, and
that she had been able to say so.
But he had angered her, and could not
sleep without her forgiveness. He was still
so weak that sleep at all times was essential
to him. -.
"Nurse," he said presently, in a tone that
reminded him OF the days when he was
schoolboy and in disgrace. f..z..-=
"Well," said she.
"I'm very sorry said that" mu,nbled Sir
Rawdon from beneath the bedclothes; sit
was abominable OF me- .
He had now evidently come to the point
when good sound Gaming was reasonably
to be expected.
You want me TO say ! forgive yon,' said
Nurse Eva softly, coming up to him again
and looking down upon him. VERY good.
| say it. Now go to sleep"
'sYou don't look asif you forgave," pro-
tested he anxiously. 'If you could only
know what feel about it! You must think
me so contemptible--ald you SO kind to me,
| and" @
"lf that is all, be comforted. do not think
you contemplate" returned She; and even
as she spoke q sweet soft smile overSpread
her lovely face, falling like healing sun
beam OIL the repentant invalid. With sigh
of relief he closed his eyes, and sank into Il
refreshing slumher.
| Then came day when his nurse entered
This room with very jublant air. Perhaps
twas rather too jubilant an air.
Rise, prisoner" said she: 'the hour of
your release has arrived"
He answered her with rcproacltul glance,
but no word.
SHE laid the little brcakfast-tray upon the
table near, and began to busy herself with
Its contents.
"lt seems a shame to give you any trouble,
now am so strong again." he said. "And
yeti like to see you doing that"
you like to see ME getting your breakfast
.eadyp A very sensible fancy"
You misunderstood me-" he said hastily.
, md then stopped abruptly. 1t was difficult
to go on with those large clear eyes fixed
coldly upon him. And, after all. what was
of those eyes only made some vague unana-
lyzcd feeling within his breast tile more un-
cndurable.
Eva" he said suddenly, with vchrmence
that suggested hidden passion.
She laid her tiny teapot down slowly, with
out suspicion of agitation, and turned her
| eyes fully upon his.
| Morse EvaW she said, with indescribable
dignity.
She then gave him his tea, and arranged
the tray as carefully MS ever before him. If
her hand trembled a little, she took very
| great care 1t should not be seen.
As for him, he seemed dissatisfied with all
| she gave HIM, and toyed discontcntedly with
his food, and finally told her, almost rudely,
| to take 1t away from him.
This is foolish" she said gravely. 'You
| will want strength for your removal. Try
to eat something"
he very thought of my removal takes
| away my appetite retortcd he sulenly, re-
| lectiiis with angry persistence the little
dainty tfitie she sought to press upon him.
| lIen the surgeon came i'll again, and felt
his pulse, and asked aquestion or two, and
| went through the usual formula.
"All going on as well as we could wish.
he SAID at last You have, indeed, made a
wonderful recovery. my dear Sir Rawdon.
| Give yOh my word, there was time when--
| eh?-eh2 Well, and SO the carriage is to be
llere for you at twelve? Hah! glad to run
away from u.s. eh2---ch2"
fls 1t safe for me to move to-day?" asked
Sir Rawdon languidly. There was no Ian
guor, however, i'll the deep anxiety of his
eyes. II don't think feel so we'll as did
yesterday"
"Eh? what? Poufl nonsense, my dear STRIP
said the surgeon gayly. 1nvalid's tremors
nothing more. ] tell you, yoit are getting
out of onr hands more hopefully every mo-
ment. We shall be ashamed to prescribe for
You soon"
perhaps If my going wereto beposiponed
Not at all--nothing of the kind. Tho very
change will do you good" said the surgeon
checrily. "Come, come now-speak to him.
nurse"
but supposing should have relapse
that would be unpleasant" said this remark
ably careful young man.
"Eh? How is this. nurseW said the sur
geon, somewhat perplexed by his patients
pertinacty.
AS he appeared to her, Sir Rawdon raised
himself slightly on his elbow, and appealed
to her too-witll his dark eyes Her glance,
passing from the surgeons face to his, rested
there for q moment. There was entreaty,
longing, hope and something far more tnan
all these in hts gaze. She turned away from,
it slowly, but resolutely.
There will be no fear of relapse.n she
said to the surgeon, in cold measured tones,
her eyes bent upon the ground ut is better,
Jar better he should go to-day, as arranged"
A swift change altered the expression of
Sir Rawdon's1ace Whereas before 1t was
almost humbly inploring, It was now proud
and stern. ,s.-., st,.4.,.gf
tvTO-day then ha n NV al ,,,,, I, I, -