The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-22

berselfin some methodical way or other, ac-
cording to prescription, that she might be
fit for her work, and no doubt they were
very fit for their work, and amply re-
spOnded to the confidence placed IN them,
which was only not shared by Dora,
banished by them out of her fathers
room, and Miss Bethune, woman full If
preiudices, and Gilchrist, whose soft
heart could not resist the cheerful looks
of the too fresh young women. though
their hght-heartedness shocked her
little, and the wrongs of Dora filled
her heart with sympathy.
Alas Dora was not yet slxteen-there
was no possibility, however carefully you
counted the months. and showed her
birthday to be approaching, TO get over
that fact. And what were her love and
anxious desire to be of service and devo-
ton to her father in comparison with
these few years and the superior training
of the women who knew almost as much
as the doctor knew himself2 Not saying
much, that" DR. Roland grumbled I'M
der his breath as he joined the anxious
circle of maicontents in Miss Bethune's
apartment, where Dora came, trying
proudly to restrain her tears, and telling
how she had been shut out of Mr.. Man
nering's room-"my own fathers roomn'
the girl cried in her indignation, two big
drops like raindrops falling in spite other
upon her dress.
It's better for you, my bonnie dear
oh, it's better for you" Gilchrist whis-
pered, standing behind her, and drying
her own flowing eyes with her apron.
Dora, my darling" said Miss Beth
une, moved to a warmth of spirit quite
unusual to her, lit is quite true what
GilChrlSt says. ] am not fond of these
women myself They shall never nurse
me. If cannot have hand that cares
for me to smooth my pillow, it shall be
left unsmOOthed, and none of these good
looking hussies shall smile over me when
I'm dying-no, no! But it is different;
you're far too young tOhave that on your
head / would not permit it. Gilchrist
and me would have taken it and done
every justice to your poor papa, l make
no doubt, and been all the better for the
work, two idle women as we are-but not
you. You should have come and gone,
and sat by his bedside and cheered him
with the sight of you: but to nurse him
was beyond your power. Ask the doctor
and he will tell you that as well as me-"
Il have always taken care of my father
before, - said Dora. when he has had
his colds, and when he had rheumatism,
and when-that time, DIR. Roland, you
know"
That was the time, said the DOCTOR
''when you ran down to me in the middle
of the night and burst into my room, like
wise little girl. We had him in our own
hands then, and we knew what to do
with him, Dora. But here's Vereker,
he's a great swell, and neither you nor l
can interfere"
1t comforted Dora little to have DR.
Roland placed with herself among the
outsiders who could not interfere, espe-
cially when Miss Bethune added, "That
is just the grievance, we would all like to
have finger In the pie. Why should
- ii -,f4l 1, L.
ural friends and given into the charge of
these women, that never saw him in their
lives before, nor care whether he lives or
dies?n
"Oh, they care-for their own reputa-
ton. There is nothing to be said against
the women; theyllido their duty" said
the doctor. But there's Vereker, that
has never studied his constitution-that
sees just the present symptoms. and no
more. Take out the child for a walk,
Miss Bethune, and let's have her fresh
and fair for him, at least, if"-the doctor
pulled himself up hastily and coughed to
swallow the last alarming syllable
fresh and fair, " he added hastily, "when
he gets better, which is period with
which no nurses can Interfere"
A colloquy which was silent yet full Of
eager interest and feeling Sprang up be-
tween two pairs OF eyes at this moment
that if most alarming Of cOnjectures was
uttered. Miss Bethune questioned; the
doctor replied. Then he said in an under
tone, "A constitution never very strong,
eXhausting work, eXhausting emotions,
unnatural peace in the later life.
Dora was being led away by Gilchrist
to get her hat for the proposed walk, and
DIR. Roland ended in his ordinary voice.
"DO you call that unnatural peace, with
all the right circumstances of his life
round him, and-and full possession of
his bonnie girl, that has never been parted
from himl l don't call that unnatural"
You would if you were aware of the
other side of it Topped off-one half of
him, as it were, paralyzed."
Doctor SAID Miss Bethune, with
curious smile, II ought to take that as
compliment TO my sex, as the fools say, if
l cared button for my sex or any such
nonsense. But there is yourself, now,
gets on very well, so far as can see, with
that side, as you call it, just as much
Topped off"
How do you know?" said the doctor
81 may be letting concealment, like a
worm in the bud, feed on my damask
check. But I allow" he said, with
laugh, Il do get on very well, and so, if
YOU will permit me to say it, do you, Miss
! Bethunel But then, you see, we have
never known anything else"
Something leaped up in Miss Bethune's
| eye-a strange HghG Whlch the doctor
could not interpret, though it did not
escape his observation To be sure, "
she said, nodding her head, I'VE have
never known anything else. And that
changes the case altogether"
That changes the case. say nothing
against celibate life. / have always
preferred tit suits me better. never
cared, - he added, with again laugh, ito
have too much baggage to move about"
DO not be unciv1l, doctor, after being
more civil than was necessary"
But it's altogether different case
with poor Mannering. 1t is not even as if
his wife had betrayed nim-in the ordi-
nary way. The poor thing meant no
harm.
'Oh, 60 not speak to me!n cried Miss
Bethuuc, throwing up her hands.
Il know; it is well known you ladies
are always more severe; but, anyhow,
that side was wrenched away in mo
ment, and then there followed long years
of unnatural calm"
Il do not agree with you, Doctor she
said, shaking her head. The wretch
was defeenitive" Miss Bethuues nation
ality betrayed itself in great breadth
of vOwels, as we'll as in here and there
word or two. 1t was cut like death,