The Delta independent., 1898-07-08
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sation to an end and return to her sleep
ing patient. but Hiss Maynard still fall
tered. She was fencing for time. She
did not wish to go home yet. She
would have to face Ronald and answer
his questions.
And in the midst Of the awkward
pause light football was heard on the
stairs. 1t WIS Mrs. Freeman.
I'm sure dispatches have come" she
murmured as she Joined them "What
IL the news?''
Silently Mrs. Stannard handed her
the open paper, which MrA Freeman
eagerly road.
"Well. then, there must be one for
me, she whispered. "Would you mind
going up and sitting with Nathalie q
moment?" she asked Of Mrs. Stannard.
II will just hurry home ard get what
may have come and a peep at the chill
dren and return in five minutes.
And then from the inner room Mrs.
Barry's voice, low and gentle. was
heard demanding news, and Mrs. STAN
nard FASTENED to her side.
"I'll go to Miss Baird, Mrs. Free
man. whispered Grace Maynard. Go
homo by all means. and do not come
back il you do not feel like it. should
be glad to sit up with the poor girl.
I'm thoroughly accustomed to nursing"
Mrs. Freeman looked troubled and
perplexed q moment, listened for sounds
from aloft, said vaguely: You're very
kind. IL think the doctors medicines
are taking effect and that she is dozing
on. l shan't be any time at ALL" So
saying the little matron let herself out
at the front door and hastened down
the row. Grace after listening mo-
mcnt slowly and softly assembled the
stairs and noiselessly entered the sick
room.
There in her little white bed lay the
patient, her wan face turned away from
the dim night light, nervous!y tapping
the cOunterpane with her slender hand.
She did not turn, she did not speak as
the newcomer entered. Only by the
restless movement of the hand and an
occasional impatient toss and sigh did
she show that she was awake and tor
meuted by her thoughts.
1t had been Miss Msynard's intention
70 speak and explain the situation. The
words were on her lips as she entered
the room; but. seeing that no apparent
notice was taken Of her coming. she hcsi-
txted. then decided not to explain or to
speak at all until somebody or some
thing should show that Nathalie had
discovered IL was not Mrs. Freeman Il
might be embarrassing to say the least.
The strange girl had never liked her.
had always avoided and even shrurk
hCR 4 sUk 1x, al 20 hos Il
tation and distress to End . stranger
seated by her bedside.
Indeed Miss Maynard could think Of
. dozen reasons for silence, and 80,
qui-sly seating herself in the chair loft
vacant by Mrs Freeman, she glanced
over the little array Of vials glasses.
etc., left by the doctor, noted that the
shade CT the kerosene lamp was careful.
ly adjusted so as to protect tho invalid's .
eyes from the light and then began o
quiet study of the little room and its
simple furnishings
1t was very like the one she herself
occupied at the Stannards', next door.
The two majors were Guartered in one
big frame house with party wall, tho
Railways being on tho outer side and
the house itself differing from those in
which the captains and lieutenants wero
quartered In that it had little extra
room on each side uEder 'lean to-"
outside the hall and that the bedroom
on the ground floor was made large and
commodious extending from the end of
the lean to crosswise to the dining
room. Both Barrys and Stanrards pre-
ferred their ground foor bedroom be-
cause the stairs were steep and narrow.
and Mrs. Barry would have chosen It
anyway. she being too much Of an in
valid to climb. When the Barrys moved
from Fort Fred Winthrop to Russell
and into their quarters adjoining the
Stannards, Nathalie had gratefully nc.
cepted the second floor front as her bow
er and had fitted it up very prettily and
lived there for awhile, as we know,
very happily. Then came tho episode Of
the pebble throwing and the bulky.
burly stranger who Joined her on the
prairie walk. and then Nathalie had
shown an unlocked fer timidity. She
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