The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-24
name 70 detaIn her she tarfIied until he

name 70 deta1n her she tarrled until ne
reached her side.
"Miss Nevergail, / do not know wheth-
er you are as fond Of flowers as I am, but
I have brought you a few, hoping they
may cheer you in your lonely duties"
"Oh, thank you, Doctor! They will,
indeed, as I love them dearly. These
are perfect beauties and l shall prize
them highly"
"That rose, I think. will adorn your
hair to perfection. Allow to fasten it
there. May II"
With pleased blush. the young girl
bent her head, and with skillful fingers
Earle placed it just above her small,
white ear, where it nestled lovingly, add
ing a new charm to her bright young
face.
Just as he was finishing, step ap-
preached, and Belle, who could not re-
strain her curiosity another moment, as
she had heard him pause on the floor
above, and then make some remark in a
low tone. came upon the scene.
Just in time to see his hand leave the
rose, and to see Ethel turn toward her
own room, and disappear with the bou-
quet in her hand and gratifed smile
lowering around her lips
Waiting until she had seen the Doctor
leave the premises, and Ethel again re-
pair to Sir Reginald's side, the malicious
girl proceeded directly to that room
where she found the flowers carefully
bestowed in fancy vase upon the dress
ing-case.
Selling them without moments hesi-
tation, she turned directly to the baron
cts room.
Ethel sat by the bed, and at his re-
quest was striving to cool his heated
brow by gently moving fan. Raising
her eyes, to her astonishment she recog-
nized her nowers, but before she could
claim them Bellies angry voice arrested
her attention.
@Sir Reginald, she exclaimed, II think
it my duty to inform you that Miss
Nevergail seems to have forgotten her
position as your assistant nurse and paid
DEPENDENT and seizes every opportunity
that offers to carry on sly firtations
with gentlemen. 1 just surprised DR..
Elfenstein placing that rose in her hair
outside your door. while at the same
time he gave her these flowers. Do you
approve Of such behavior?"
SApprove? No; of course mott" he re-
turned, flying into passion at once, as
she we'll knew he was sure to do. @M1ss
Nevergail, what business have you to
conduct yourself in that style? Did /
bring you here to form intrigues with
gentlemen?"
"You certainly did not" was the calm
reply, anor have done so. DIR. Elfen-
stein is an old friend, and as such he
presented me with the flowers Miss Glen
denning has taken from my room. Be
ing my own property now, I will thank
her for their restoration" So saying,
she reached forth her hand for them.
But Belle drew back and Scornfully re-
piled:
"You shall never have them again, l
assure you, as shall instantly see that
every stem, leave and bud is destroyed.
If you do not know your place better in
this house than to put yourself on an
equality with its visitors, you must be
taught. Do you not think so, Sir Reg
inald?" she added, appealing to him.
Certainly. Just take the trash away
and see that it is destroyed. shall my
self inform DR.. Elfenstein."
"You will not do that, surely, uncle.
He would then be vexed with me-" Belle
hastily exclaimed. u will destroy them,
since you wish it also, but not until yod
promise to say nothing to him about It,"
"Well, have 1t your own way; but II
do not, perhaps Miss Nevergail will"
@She dare not! she knows 1t would
seem unmaidenly to mourn over the loss
of few flowers that were his gift, in his
presence, ! am not at all afraid Of her
doing so."
So Saying, regardless Of Ethel's be-
seeching words and looks, the spiteful
girl left the room with her ill-gotten
treasures. and Ethel saw them no more.
Sir Reginald remained excited, cross
and nervous, for some time after this
scene, and poor Ethel found it almost
impossible to please him in anything she
attempted.
The sight of the flower she still wore
seemed TO aggravate him, although he
made no further comments upon the
subject, but Ethel felt that without
direct command she was not required to
remove it.
Therefore it remained, and when Dr.
Elfenstein returned in the afternoon for
his usual second visit to the sick man,
he smiled as his eyes rested upon 1t, but
never was told the fate of the rest Of
his offering nor heard Of the hard words
she had endured on account of his
friendly gift.