Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-04-08

fitted her we'll enough, on thewhole,as her
hospital gown-she was atrained nurse
her plump cheeks, and even her dimpled
hands and the ribbons on her stiff cap
were each and all most lovely pink.
1t all happeaed the summer that
brought lie her fifth birthday, when the
family were all out at the summer
home, Catalpa Cottage, and when
mighty battle was being fought in big
front room upstairs between a 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, aud, dove-like aud
gentle, with all serenity, was bidding US
farewell with a certain stately tenderness
which was all her own.
And lie was the only one who was
happy And she was happy, as she al
way is happy, because she cannot, for
life, help being so. 1t is in the warp
and woof of her small being. 1t is as
much 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-fashioned gar
den to steal q little color from the soft
air. Zie Immediately extended the hos
pitality of her hammock, which was
stretched lazly between two snowy,
blossoming Catalpa trees, aud there the
two sat, aud were very glad they were
alive, for it was the month OF June,
which will at once explain that gladness.
"You are very prettyl" said zie
gravely, by way way of being agreeable.
"I'm pretty, too. I'm glad. Aren't
youl"
COIL don't know"
"That don't sound true. Are you mer-
riedl' pursued zie, with an air.
"No."
"Why don't you get marriedl"
"Nobody wants mew rippled out the
Pink purse between laughs.
"But your name is Annie. Hasn't
every Annie got Joel' remarked lie,
with amazcment.
And the story would have ended right
here before it began if a 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 his name should be Joe-Joe Rip
ley. But after he passed, it was little
singular that the back of his neck aud
ears should so closely match our Pink
nurses face, who was blushing also.
"Ob, you awful chiIdl What will you
do or say next2 1t was the telegraph
operator who sends the dispatches to
your grandfather in Washingtou-and--
bis name Is joe And the Pink nurse
made great pretense of being painfully
shocked, and ran, with great rustic of
skirts, into the house.
"And her name is Anuie,' added Zie
to herself, while tue pupils Of her eyes
grew very big, aud the little bits of gold
dust in them disappeared, aud the rest
Of the day she was very quiet.
Now the telegraph operator lived just
up the hill ouly block beyond Catalpa
Cottage, and Zie's hammock was very
near the board walk on which he passed
to and fro several times day.
That evening surprise was in store
for Mr.. Ripley. Just at dusk, while all
things here taking on the gray greens OF
twilight, he walked soberly home to sup
per. When exactly opposite certain
hammock sLaIl voice pIped up in an
authoritative manner:
''Will you please be kind enough to
come here?"
Mr.. Ripley thoughtfully rubbed his
right foot over his left foot, took his
handkerchief out of the crown of his
straw hat. aud, after wipiug his face
carefully replaced it. Then followed