Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-11-11


Il cannot thank you enough for hav-
ing calmrd Leslie. His nurse left this
morning. and liz viii not be consoled
10y any of the other servants. So
finally told Mrs. Clarke, the house
keeper, that | would try him for a
walk Rui VIII ynu no, take the um.
brella? 1t will hc n shame TO expose
yourself To such n dcluge"
She gracefully declined all thanks
and such kind offers and gliled quick
ly off. II tall. black ROBBED figure. daring
the watrry drops. But perfect shrek
from baby arose when he found him
self deserted in this fashion. AMI each
succeeding cry became louder and
more distressing Again Gabrielle
could not 20 Again she came back 70
him.
'Wlll you please come into the house
with him! Mrs. Clarke may there be
better able TO get him away than l."
So Gabrielle. carrying his child. Les
lie. entered the house. unknown. but
welcome even then. I.cSlics was not
to be easily deceived. and all the ruses
were seen through Immediately by his
careful. big blue eyes.
We must get a nursemaid this very
night" declared Mrs. Clarke as she en-
deavored. In her practical. cold hearted
way. 10 invciglc the young lord from
his new mamma"
But" groancd Mr.. COPYRIGHT,
''whcre can one get one whom he can
trust on such very short notice.
A bold idea entered t;abricllc's head.
She tried three or four times to speak
and her voice failed Finally she
chokcd back the lump in her throat
and said: Would ii he prcsumptuous
In me To offer myself: can show you
some excellent references. and am
looking for some such position"
You Il nurScmaid," exclaimed Mr..
Courtright In amnZcmcnt Then.
moment later. he would have given
much TO have II back unsaid. Her
plain. black gown was darncd at the
elbows. II was merely her way of wear
Ing II that gave her the appearance Of
woman OF long founded culture and
delicacy
Two years went by. in which Miss
Varncy. as She WAS then known. un-
discovered. was loved by and loved In
return Mr.. Courtright's two children.
II was on. evening in March. just be-
fore dusk. when she had left Leslie up
stairs asleep AMI had just come down
To the drawing room with Mabel to
stay with the child until her father
came TO dinner He was late. and
Mabel wandered of to the library
thus leaving Gabrielle alone In the
dimly lighted room when Mr.. Court
right finally entered.
shall call MabclT' she began.
starting from her station NJ the win
dow
"No. Miss varncy. stay have
something To say to you. You rcmcm-
Der how moved | was the first time
Leslie called you 'mamma| You
thought then. no doubt. that II was hc-
cause of the memory If my wife. Part
ly So. but mostly because | thought
for an instant that you were the wo-
man who-who might have been his
mother. il the fatcs had been kinder.
Do you know. Miss Varncy. that you
often remind me cruelty of woman
loved better than the world?''
"Your wife,
NO. one loved before l met my
wife. Can YOU. will you. hate me II
ask You thus To he Leslie's mamma In
truth as we'll as in word?''
Moment after moment went by. The
shadows came closer and the rim OF
lighter clouds near the western hori-
Zon grew narrower. At last she said:
Il. too. loved In the long ago. And l
can never In any way love another
man. But
Miss Narney'- he broke In.
''No. let me iinish." she continued.
Take an umbrella and 20 down 10
the east gate. DO not ask n question.
but take the umbrella and wait there"
Then she sped up stairs. He was
daZed: maybe that was the reason that
he. as in n dream. did rs she had bid
and took his station down by the rus
tic gate, where the softly falling rain
dripped through the leaves on To the
gravel of the walk.
Suddenly he was conscious OF n rus
tie at his side. and. turning. there
stood tall girl. with II loving smile
beaming above the same dark collar.
with n sweet face shining from be-
heath the same velvet bonnet remem-
bercd So well from long ago. and an
old time voice murmurcd:
Robert"
"Gabricllc?' he gaspcd.
Yes" shc laughed. Gabrielle and
your nursemaid in one
When they walked up TO the hot;se
that night she clung lovingly to his
arm under the narrow umbrella. for
they were strangers no longer.-Ex-
change.