The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-16

mother. child" he said to his gran6s
! daughter, 'or she win Hear the story nrst
| from the servants and be frightened 10
death. ! win keep your friend here 'or
little while" then, "a Jennie left them
alone. 'Sif down. my dear tendcriy.
Il have been SO taken up with JENNIE
l ala not see You had been standing all
the time. And you must be feeling upset
Yourself. for ali you are too brave 10 ae-
| knowledge H." nary Eliza felt her brav-
cry ooz!ng from her eye-lids at his SYM
pathy. but pulled herself together, and
took the offered chair
"rniid. child" he said. you can never
know Mi THAI you have done for rs this
dav ,ennie's mother is my only daugh-
tor q widow. and this girl Is the bright
ess spof In our lives | shudder 10 think
~ vvnat must have fallen upon rs but
for vour courage and presence Of mind.
( There ia 10 way in the world we can
repav Won. your reward must come In
! tie knowledge Of what you have done:
I and vet and vet. 81 there Il any way
/ I'm which we could show our apprecia-
tion?"
Mary Eliza ciasped her hands. and be-
/ fore she knew a.. the words escaped her
lips "Oh, Or Gerridgc, II you could per-
suade my father 10 consent 10 my being
t trained nurse" She trcmbied at her au-
/ dacity. but the words were beyond re-
call
He looked at her with new tsterest, but
I the question he asked was MT encourage
| ing Have YOU counted the cost? The
WEAKNESS. the watching, the distastefui
] duties"
Il have thought over 1t night and day."
| said Mary Eliza fervently. and SIN I
want 10 try it,
ut is not thing to be taken up Idly"
he said "it should be as much a voca-
lion as chat Of any clustered num-"
Il thought OF that too" she replied.
"aud I want TO cousecrate my life 10 the
relief of suffering" Her answer was Civ
en- with gravity beyond her years.
My child he said gravely. II will
discourage YOU no longer. but will help
you all / can. II YOU think my pleading
VIII aid your cause I will gladly speak
10 your father. And So" he said half
vhimsically, "you have an ambition. like
the rest OF us. Yours is far more useful
than many. as You seek to benefit others
instead of yourself"
"But that Is only a part Of my ambl-
ton.' answered the truthful girl.
"What?' disappointment in face and
voice. after the trained nurse comes the
woman doctor. I SUPPOSE
"Oh. no. no." emphatic denial, II never
even thought Of that My ambition is
entirely Different
can I know what It is? But there. OF
course I had no business TO ask you, only
J am greatly interested in YOU"
"I would like TO tell you" she said
simply II don't know why. I am sure.
Cor / had determined TO tell no one. not
even mother" The unconscious compli-
ment pleased him 1T began when gave
un an hope Of changing my name, which
hate and desVise." cnergetically. The
longing % bring out her grievance FOR
sympathy was strong within her. A smile
tremhlcd about his lips. but was sternly
repressed
And what is this terrible name?"
MARY Eliza breathlessly expectant Of
! his mirfh.
Mary Eliza Why. like IT, It's a
good, old-fashioned name. q thousand
times more TO my taste than the modern
| fallals."
There was a CLEAN OF hope in her eyes
/ but she said. timilly and when Deppish
is added to it2'
"Doppish' Mary Eliza Deppish. Why.
! that was the name OF one OF the best and
! cleverest women / ever knew
she was my grandmother, sir. I was
named for her amt that is the reason
! father would never let me change it,"
Change IL, ! should think not. indeed.
( And 40 you are the srandchild of my old
+ friend. Why 10 seems but yesterday-Ah'
! I realize what an Old man / am. See
/ your father or course I'll see him. and
| ] know now where your ambition comes
I from: your grandmother was the best
nurse I'm the whole county whore she lived
/ AFTER She was married %
} "Nll the same sir, / shall never ike my
name. and [ know IL is a very ugly one
J 90 most people. So / thought hoped
/ that maybe" she spoke timidly, pausng
/ between the words. when I was nurse
and had chance 10 help the sick and
suffering. they would think differently of
| it. and it might in time come 10 sound
/ even beautiful in their ears because Of
J their love for me" Her face was rosy
red. but the smile which met her eyes
! had a rare tenderness in IL.
1T is a very sweet and beautiful ambi-
/ tion." he said. gently. and you have
begun 10 realize It to-day, for surely, in