Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-12-09

and hunger. 1t seemed to her thst her
last hope had gone.
Then she suddenly remembered that
certain Miss Dove, wealthy Eng
lish woman. had founded home in
Paris for her destitute countrywomen.
She knew the address. 1t was nearer
than the British Embassy. She drag
ged herself and child to 1t. She had
Just sufficient strength left to ring the
bell. when she sank fainting on the
threshold Of the door.
When Marjorie again opened her
eyes she was lying in strange bed.
and lady with pale. grave face was
still bending above her.
where am II" she cried, starting
up; and then she looked around for her
child.
A cold hand was laid upon her fever
ishly burning forehead. and she was
gently laid back upon her pillow.
'The child is quite SAFE" said a low.
sweet voice. I'VE have put him in a
cot, and he Is sleeping: try to sleep.
too. and when you waken you will be
stronger, and you shall have the little
boy"
Marjorie closed her eyes and moaned.
and soon fell into heavy. feverish
sleep. .r...
Having seized her system, the fever
kept its burning hold. and for many
days the mistress OF the house thought
that Marjorie would die; but fortunate
ly her constitution was strong; she
passed through the ordeal. and one day
she opened her eyes on what seemed to
her a new world.
For time she lay quietly looking
about her. without movement and
without word. The room In which
she lay was small. but prettily fitted
up. There were crucifixes on the wall.
and dimity curtains to the bed and the
windows; through the diamond panes
the sun was family shining; cozy fire
filled the crate; on the hearth sat a
woman, evidently nurse: while on
the hearth-rug was little Leon, quiet
as a mouse, and with his lap full Of
toys.
1t was SO dreamy and so peaceful
that she could Just hear the murmur Of
life outside, and the faint cracking Of
the fire on the hearth-that was all.
She lay for time watching the two
figures as in vision; then the mem
ory of all that had passed came back
upon her, and she sobbed. In mo-
ment the woman rose and came over
to her, while little Leon ran to the
bedside. and took her thin. white hand.
Mamma" he said, don't cry"
For in spite of herself Marjorie felt
the tears coursing down her cheeks.
The nurse said nothing. She smoothed
back the hair from her forehead. and
quietly waited until the invalid's grief
had passed away. Y...
Then she said gently: ..
do not grieve. madam. The worst
| of your illness Is over. You will soon be
WE'LL"
Have been very ill?" asked Mar
jorie. family.
Eyes, very i'll. We thought that you
would die"
"And you have nursed me-you have
saved me? oh! you are very good!
Who-who are you-where am II"
you are amongst friends. This
house is the home Of every one who
needs home. 1t belongs to Miss Es-
ther Dove. 1t was she who found you
fainting on our doorstep. and took
you in. When you fell into a fever she
gave you into my charge. I am one
Of the nurses"
She added. quietly:
"There, do not ask me more ques.
tions, for you are weak. and must be
very careful. Take this. and then, II
you will promise to soothe yourself.
the little boy shall stay beside you
while you Sleep"
Marjorie took the food that was Of
fered to her and gave the promise re-
quired. Indeed. she felt too weak to
talk.