Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-08-13

AhAis ocS1uSS uelnS an excellent nurse
! was very attractive young woman
She had pretty brown hair with golden
lights in its waving and ripping al
over a well-shaped, well-set head: heI
eyes were dark brown. and her com
pleXion, though pale, clear and healthy
looking. She was fairly tall, and very
well built, with a look Of strength and
vitality pleasant to see. Her voice was
low toned and pleasant, while her
. choice of words and manner of speak
ing showed her to be an educated
woman. Mrs. Power was delighted
with her, and spoke much of the pleas
ure she felt in having so intelligent and
sympathetic companion. Altogether
l thought | had reason to congratulate
myself and my professional brethren
on the addition to the nursing staff at
our disposal
Late one October afternoon. after a
hard days work, l drove down to Lis
fallan to visit my patient, whom l had
not seen for two or three days. l found
Mrs. Power alone in the little morning
room where she usually sat, although
Sister Annals knitting basket and a
web of crimson fleece gave token of her
recent presence.
Where is the sister, I asked, dur
ing a pause in the gossip with my old
friend which succeeded our brief pro-
fessiOnal interview.
Look out of the window" was the
reply.
[ went over to the deep bay window
which formed one end of the room. and
looked across the long garden stretch
ing behind the house, beheId Sister
Anna, her prim cap laid aside, her
pretty head showing above the soft
gray shawl in which she had wrapped
herself; and walking by her side a tall
figure which l did not at first recog-
nize. This was Laurence. Mrs.
Powers nephew. He was a clerk in a
bank, and hoped soon to be made man.
ager Of a country branch.
The young people were by this time
coming up the steps leading from the
garden and presently they entered the
room. Sister Anna came forward to
speak to me, a pink flush on her usu-
ally pale cheek, a new light in her
pretty brown eyes. Laurence Moore
stood behind her, an expression of su-
preme content on his handsome face,
while Mrs. Power looked on, quiet and
keen-eyed. I wondered if she were
quite satisfied at the turn affairs
seemed to be taking.
Sister Anna went over to the patient
and made some change for the better
IN the arrangement of her wraps and
cushions. She then seated herself in
her usual low chair. After a few min
utes' more talk | went away, Laurence
Moore accompanying me to the door
with an additional touch of empresse-
ment in his always pleasant manner.
Il wonder if he looks on me in the
light OF parent or guardian to be pro-
pitiated," | said to myself with some
amusement, as l settled myself COM
fOrtably in my brougham. Il think
shall refuse my consent-whateve
may be its value. That girl is a cap
ital nurse, much too good to be monop-
olized by any one man"
About ten days later, on my next
visit, | was more pleased than sur
prised to be introduced to Sister Anna
in the character of Mrs. Powers future
niece, although l did mingle some self
ish regrets with my congratulations.
Oh said Sister Anna, laughing, 81
am not going to desert my post yet
while. 1t is only to be an engagement
for long time to come, and must not
be spoken Of. l think I can promise
not to let any thought of the future in
terfere with my work in the present.
DR.. Moran. I will put Laurence out of
my head when once I enter a sick
ROOM
L am afraid it has to be a long en-
gagement," said Mrs Power. "They
cannot think of marrying until Lau-
renee is a manager, and even then it
would be wiser to wait until he has
has saved something. You know mine
is but life income SO that beyond
some plate or an outfit of table linen I
can do nothing to help"
Sister Anna made it clear that she
L
versation drifted to the subject of a
former talk about artificial hearts made
Of india-rubber, which were warranted
according to Sister Anna, "never to
ache"
Come, Anna; you cannot know
much about heartaches, at any rate
Indeed, I had many a one the time
of my uncle's death, - she answered. 4
do not know what [ should have done,
had I not been compelled to rouse my
self and work"
Did your uncle know you would
have to work?" asked Mrs. Power.
NO; he thought that he had pro-
vided for me In fact, I am sure that
he did so; but the will could never be
found so everything went to his
brother"
His brother? But why did not you.
his niece, come in for your share?"
Don't you see, although I called
him uncle l was only his wife's niece.
and in reality no relation whatever.
My aunt was living when I first came to
them, so long ago that I can scarcely
remember it; but she died soon after
and then my uncle and I took care of
each other. The old house was pleas
ant place; it did not look like a farm
house, for there were trees about it and
an old orchard garden. 1 took care of
the garden. | wanted to manage the
dairy, too, but uncle said the work
would be too heavy for me-we had a