The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-20

dition. noticed that his eyes avoided
meeting mine, but ] was determined he
should not escape without getting a piece
of my real opinion.
do you object, Doctor?' 1 said sudden
ly. TO driving me back TO my rooms
l know you pass the corner of the street
where 1 live. l have unfortunately left
some important directions there for my
assistant. Nurse Anna, which she ought
70 receive Immediately"
Il will take you, Sister, with pleasure,
he answered
I gave Lady Shuttleworth directions
what to do for the sick girl during my
absence and a moment or TWO later was
driving in the doctors brougham TO my
lodgings.
Now why have you done this?' asked
facing around on him al once.
You must forgive me-" he replied
''The fact is l knew you would not take
the case unless ] caught you by guile.
Il have O great mind TO give it up now,
I said-"it does not suit me a bit-it is the
sort of case wnich viii try my patience
beyond description. Then, too, I am in
want of a holiday"
Look here" he said-he suddenly bent
forward and gave me an emphatic warn
ing look. IF someone does not take that
girl up she will either be in a madhouse
or in her grave In a fortnight
rs it so bad as that?" I asked.
1T is he replied; "the nervous system
is completely unbalanced. At the same
time there is no absolute disease. You
are not the woman, Sister Dora, to put
your hand to the plough and then turn
back"
God help me. am not" l. answered,
sinking back against the soft padded
cushions of the brougham with a sigh.
You will not desert Miss Shuttle
worth?" said the doctor
Il will not" l answered. Now tell me
exactly what you think of her"
Her nerves are so shaken that they are
almost diseased" he said, otherwise she
Is i'm perfect, almost robust health"
What do you expect me to do for her?'
He shrugged his shoulders
"Ah," he answered II cannot advise
you. The case is yours not mine. l
shall call at the house daily while I am in
town simply for the sake of keeping up
appearances, but l shall not pretend TO
dictate to you. In all London you are the
only woman l know who can save that
girl"
1 was silent again, thinking deeply.
''If what you have just said is correct,
l remarked after pause, does it not
contradict some other words of yours?
You maintain that Miss Shuttleworth is
quite well except that she has highly
strung nerves. Why do you speak of the
possibility of her being dead in a fort
night?"
II allude to the possibility of suicide"
he said in a very low voice. just caught
the words.
At that moment I reached my destina-
ton. I got quickly out. bade the special
list goodbye, and went up to my rooms.
/ did what was necessary there, and then
hailed a hanson to take me back to the
Shuttleworths gloomy dwelling. On my
way there l made up my mind. The case
being mine 1 must manage it in my own
way AS soon as I got into the house I
asked to see Lady Shuttleworth. The
footman took up my message and 1 was
desired TO wait in the room which 1 had
entered on my arrival last night Lady
Shuttleworth came down to me in a mo-
ment.
Il am glad you have returned so quick
ly Sister, she said, land now you want
to speak to me, what is it?'
Il have several things to say I ans
wered. THE fact of the case Is this, Lady
Shuttleworth, 1 can do nothing for your
daughter unless l am frank with you"
Il wish you to be frank she answered.
"Wen, to begin with" l continued, II
do not ct all like undertaking. this case"
'Tndeedr She stared at me haughtily.
NO" 1 continued; this case is not to
my taste. l like to battle with a tangible
not an intangible foe. Nevertheless, at
DR.. Rigby's express request. 1 will nurse
your daughter provided you allow me to
do it in my own way
you are somewhat peremptory, are you
not Sister," said the great lady, survey
ing me with a critical and anxious glance
form top to toe, land were it not for
but there, Lucy has taken fancy to
you"-she broke off and gave me another
keen glance. ''But for that fact she
H. y
that there are plenty of other nurses in
London"
| "Dr. Rigby considers that l am the only
! One quite suitable to undertake your
daughters case" I answered.
Then, of course, that being so you Will
not hesitate?"
II will nurse Miss shuttleworth pro-
| vided you allow me to do so in my own
way"
| certainly; you little know what agonies
/ have endured about my poor darling"
| I'm the first place, Lady Shuttleworth,"
| I continued, taking no notice of this latter
remark, 81 shall require someone to help
me-
"Of course shall be only too delighted
| to render you any assistance In my pow
er; then Lucys maid, Harrison, is de-
! voted to her, and my maid, Clevedon, can
also assist you"
pardon me, I must have a profess
sional."
professionally cried Lady Shuttle
worth Surely the girls own mother
Lady Shuttleworth, you must listen TO
some plain speaking. You are the last
person to be in your daughters room. If
l am to undertake her case you must
promise to have little or nothing to do
with her. You can come to see her once or
twice day in my presence, but you are
| never to be with her except when ] am
there nurse whom l know will assist
me with the night part of the easel
shall be in the dressing-room near, but
must have sleep in order to enable me TO
undertake the day duties. You must on no
account interfere with the treatment
which shall Immediately begin, and l
repeat that you and any other of Miss
I Shuttleworth's friends must only see her
occasionally. and in my presence"
That seems hard" began the poor mo-
Their.
II am hard to toe kind" I answered.
more gently. II want to pervade your
daughter with strong and healthy in
fiuences. l want her to believe as quickly
as possible that half. if not the whole, of
Her ailment is imaginary"
"Oh, that is too much" said Lady
] fTs..r q,