The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-02
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: 4yTHE WORLDS
-. az STORY DEPARTMENT. + E

with a face quite free from irnpatlencc-
a woman ofscned the door for him--a
llean. miserable creature, with pale eyes
soid Of expression Her thin hair hung
1xer her neck. her calico dress fell
IsiIar8y frofa her sharp shoulders She
stared 81 Tie doctor as he entered. and
be could zee there we're tears in her
ehililike eyes
'Joc,s sick. she said. slowly. gazing
Into his face
| What's the matter7-
..lle--he's goin'ieT die, maybe she
faltcred, Fiteonsiy.
..No, i hope not
..Joc's sick, she repeated In a whis-
lpcr. shaking her head
Who's conner asked a voice from
the bed In corner 81 the room
l'.Nellie. girl. who are ye talkin' within
/ 1T Is Pr. Ford. whom you sent for.
said the physician. approaching the
bed
One candle lighted dimly the nntidy.
lcomfortless place, showing stove and
man with tumbled hair and rough
beard lying among the pillows Of his
bed
oh. the DOCTOR said he. with fever
ltsh eyes staring from under the shaggy
browA
How long have yon been ill2" asked
Dr. Ford. sitting down on rickety
lchair
It's week since gave up, but I've
teen feeling bad for long time
The doctor placed his little thermom-
letter under the patients tongue and
waited silently
sJoe's sick, moaned the girl. peer
lta9 ont III the shadows
The sufferer seemed 70 be irritated
Thy the repetition 81 these words and
mnde an impatient gesture, but as he
lid 50 glanced pitifuiiy at the SLOUGH
ling figure
What you most need Is good nurs-
ing. said the doctor. after examining
the patient.
I The mans face dar1encd. The wom-
an lowered airnIesSly over the stove.
she's my wife, said tho sick man.
hoarsely ~ know she amt quite like
other folks. But shes peaceable and
good. not bold and noisy like other
women pitied her first on; then
rot kind o, fond 81 her. And she"
A The girl had crept to the bedside and
stood there with her vacant, troubled
face, fumbling with the pillows
/ Joe, she said, much as a mother
might speak her baby's name.
She can't do nothing more for me
Enor for herself" whispered the man.
las he claspcd ono Of the fiuttering
, hands in his
Poor thingi" murmured the doctor
i y can earn good wages when I'm
! we'll, I went on, the invalid, ''and did
i the cooling and kept the house tidy
) then. Now everything's going wrong.
/ She spoils all the yictuals, but she don't
mean to =
/ At this nome Mt something on the
/ stove boiled over with loud hiss and
) filled the room with the odor Of scorch-
!. ing milk. The girl started. then moved
{ toward the ruined mess.
"oh, dear mei' said thesic man, I'M
!, der his breath. Don't burn yourself
. Nellie. lie called, as If TO child.
: ''It's scorched. joe she said, thu
: tears Overlooking at last.
a Never mind, my girl, throw 1t away
D We can get plenty more. You see, doc
Q tor. /" he said. in his hoarse voice, 9
!. can't speak rough to her. She's m.
d wife.
The doctor sat with bent head. speech
less.
Il .'I'll send you nurse, my man, b
K said. after pause. What you nee,
Is good care / will come again 70
n morrow" And with low bow to ma
and wife, now clinging together, han
in hand, the doctor said goodnight, an
!" went on his way.
n Thank you, SIR called out the sic
70 man, much moved.
The girl only stared and wiped tn
last tear from her lashes
Two hours later a capable, kins
hearted woman was installed as nurs
la the little home by the river 81
b. brought with her food In abundance
ID and comforts Of all kinds.
re DR.. Ford drove slowly homewar,
le Though it was late bright light shor
a. from the parlor window as he stoppe'
lie The glow of wood fire illuminate
the room as he entered. But no or
a. came to meet him His wife sat in h,
a. rocker fast asleep The lamp threw
er radiance over her bronze-brown ha
and one delicate cheek as she slept wit
es her head against the crimson back
the chair. Her face wore swee
fe, childlike expression, with a touch Y
II, pathos about the lips, and her han,
lay closely clasped in the lap Of h
IL frown OF soft dove color.
Near the fire stood a. white drap'
IN table holding a tempting little repat
carefully arranged From slend
Ter glass in the midst hung one red ros
ito The doctor knew she had cut It for Iii
or from her favorite plant On pref
by plate reposed the hakiest and mo
at ldelectable Of mince pies.
IN, DR. Ford stopped and kissed his wifi.
he fair check reyerently. She stirre
on then opened her large eyes slowly.
ng ''Oh, you have come. ] am sorry
err was not awake to meet you. But her,
mince pie. ! sent over TO your moth
Al. for one"
an .'Iang the pier cried John For
''Elinor, | am brutei''
I'LL oh, no. dear-only man, instead
n an archangel. as once believed you
IA be But never mind How do y
an- like my dress?''
red III IS divine and you are an ang
the Elinor But, dearest, come and sit
or me | have just been 70 see agent
lick man. | want to tell you all about it. 7
ont Chicago journal