Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-09-07
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them Tor a time, so tnaI she mlgnC,
with less inconvenience to herself
render the assistance she proffered.
Seeing that Mary was worn out, and
likely to break down, Mrs. Patterson
consented, and was placed in charge OF
the house.
A male nurse was needed, and In
quiries for one were made at the
county seat. In time, a strong, stout,
middle-aged, gentlemanly appearing
stranger applied for the place. His in
terview was with Mrs. Patterson. She
employed him and installed him in his
work.
There was mysterious something
about this man and his habits which
Mary oftentimes found herself trying
to fathom, and the most singular thing
was that the mystery seemed to in
volve Mrs. Patterson with it. Why or
how no one that noticed it could tell.
Mary threw it off with the thought
that the worst of it was only suspicion.
Mrs. Pattersons' early history was a
blank as far as the people in the neigh
borhood knew anything about it.
While she had lived the life of Chris
tain woman since coming there, and
while her character was pure and
spotless, yet the closest observers had,
from time to time, noticed q strange
ness in her actions which created a
feeling that something was wrong.
Men unknown in the community had
been lettering after night in the shadow
of the trees that grew near her
house. They came, from where no one
knew, and they went, no one knew
whittier.
She was never known to mention the
name of husband. If he were dead she
never told it. If he were living she
never mentioned it. Yet she had a
son she idolized. Why silently feed
the mysterious with mystery?
The stranger faithfully applied him
self to the work assigned him. He
gradually won the respect, and, it may
be, the confidence of the sick man. He
studied to please Major Nordrum. He
labOred to make his services indispen-
sible. There was, however, q GOODNESS
between him and Mrs. Patterson which
others could not help noticing. Why
was the man nurse who was only a
temporary employee of the household,
and a stranger, too, and who, when his
services were no longer required,
would 90, as he had come, stranger,
WOIOlly vi CFCl DclIA SuuHllCo Ny NILS.
Patterson?
The man soon became necessity at
Major NOrdrum' bedside. No nurse
ever more faithful served the sick,
than did this stranger serve Ma or
NOrdrum. He was ever on the alert to
make himself useful, and he succeeded
in so ingratiating himself into the af
fections of Mary and the physician, and
no I,,r1i &c, Ii nd, 70
ali of them, and by his constant devo-
ton to the failing invalid, that all was
ready to trust bin and put the utmost
confidence in his honor and integrity,
TO all these marks of respect shown
the stranger, Mrs. Patterson demurred
by looks and signs, which seemed to be
never understood, but she communi-
Gated her thoughts to no living person.
She evidently wanted to warn the
family Of something connected with
the strangers presence, but her lips
were sealed Shs was the woman of
mysteries.
One mOrning, after a restless night,
the sick mau called Mrs. Patterson to
his bedside. He told her that he be-
lieved he had but & few hours
to live. He assured her that he
was prepared to die but he was
in doubt as to a future worlo? "Where
can Heaven be?" had BEEN the subject
of his thoughts for weeks. Could Mrs.
Patterson, whom he had always found
so sensible and wise in worldly matters,
give him some reasonable theory as to
where God might put the SQUALLS of men.
when life on earth was ended? then
he would die ful3 of faith in the power
of the Almighty to- redeem the
promises of Christ.
Mrs Patterson stood aghast. She
was astonished that Mai 0r N0rdrum. a
man OF SO, much Intelligence and in
formation, whose Life was spotless and
blame less, whose mature years had
been spent IN doing, good to- his fellow
man, who, though making no outward
profession of religion, was known to be
a Christian, should. on the verge of the
grave, harber a. doubt Us, to the ex-
istence of a future state.
The God lady controIyed her feel
ings the best she could She under
stood the situations at 0nce. Ma jor
Nordrum had not seen Heaven, had
never seen ANY one who had, and now
he was in doubt whether there was a
Heaven.
Major" replied Mrs- Patterson, ''as
you have falth In eRGsn S promises, nave
faith now that he Will fulfill them"
The dying man gave the Christian
woman look of satisfaction as if to,
the business of her mild
reproof, and to accept her words OF
hope and comfort. His hips parted as,
if he would say something more. That
the end was nigh was evident. The.
household was quickly summoned, but
no word did he utter. Mary weeping
as one whose cup of sorrow was full,
held her fathers hand. Mrs. Patter-
son, calm and almost stoical, held the
other, and the stranger bathed the
dying mans temples. A sigh, a groam,
fluttering heart, and all was over.
Then came the funeral and after
that a sensation that startled the whole
community.
CHAPTER V.
r IN,