The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-12-02


self back into the days of weakness
and delirium, when l made you do
what / wished"
"Your ten minutes are up, Mr.. West
erp," Miss Wade said, a little sharply,
and she set about tidying up the room
with unnecessary swiftness. 4
Harold continued to gain each day,
and, seeing that direct lovemaking
was distasteful to his nurse, and that
more careful advances must be made,
he turned to studying her likes and
dislikes, talking over books with her
and getting her to read passages from
his or her favorites. Thus very real
and pleasant friendship sprung up be-
tween them.
But Miss Wade could not help see.
ing that the lad was growing to love
her, and many long hours at night she
debated the question with herself.
Harold was much younger than Miss
Wade, very handsome and would soon
be very rich. 1t was temptation to
the woman who knew just what the
world had to offer her.
She had nursed eight years and
knew that two more were about as
many as the average nurse could do.
Then would come some offer to become
matron of an orphan asylum or some
similar position, or else she would be
obliged to hunt for chance as COM
panion to some nervous crank or old
person. 1t was not tempting future
to look forward to. and here before
her was ease if she would take it.
The thought of Violet Grant always
intruded just as she had made up her
mind that she would encourage Har-
, ODDS lovemaking. 81 am afraid she
loves him." was the thought that
, closed all solloquies.
, Little Violet Grant, with her shy
: tribute of flowers, her patient waiting
, in the little dressing room and her
, eager questions about Harold's well
) fare. 1t brought Harold's thoughts to
t q troubled pause, too, whenever he
was allowing himself a day dream
about Miss Wade He and Violet had
been schoolmates, and he admired
+ her shy, sweet ways and had given
her many reasons to think she was
: dear to him, though he had never di-
Q rectly proposed to her.
y "But, oh, DEAR" he would sigh,
"she is Just as I said, violet, while
: my Nurse Dimple is full blown rose.
1 wish she wouldn't bring those con-
o founded flowers
Miss Violet was in love in her own
y way with Miss Wade, too, considering
her the savio: OF the boy she loved so
e tenderly; the twelve years between
y them made the nurse seem an impos-
n sible rival. She chatted with her
quite freely one afternoon. telling her
II how pleased she was that Harold
t.. would be dressed and on the veranda
M in day or two. 81 owe you so much,
il Miss Wade" she finished, with a
pretty blush and eyes full of tears.
~ Miss Wade went up to her own room
IN with hot cheeks. ''And you planned
t to rob her. she scoIded at her re6ec
[. ton in the glass. "Well, that's over,
,e you mercenary wretch, +" and with the
e. same firm expression she wore wher
Sc controlling a delirious patient sh'
Tx went downstairs.
le Harold was asleep when she came
Nd into the room, and he looked boyish
even with six weeks growth of silk,
zy beard on his chin. ''What a fool
of was to think the boy could be happ.
ng with me or wouldn't hate me in
year," she thought and laughed grim
he ly.
ne The next day Harold was wei
Oh enough to be dressed and wheeled on
,e on the veranda 1t was June morn
Nv ing. and Violet Grant came up the pat
with her arms full of roses.
~, '.I overheard you say you like
lia roses better than violets, Harold, sh
said, simply, land, oh, I am SO gla
.ly to see you getting well.
as Harold took both her hands an
az pressed them warmly, reddening sud
'n denly with something like shame.
Miss Wade came out just then wit
me a magazine in her hand and declare
me she would have to read them a stor,
else they would talk too much for be
90. patients good. So Violet produced
its bit of embroidery, and Harold leane
nd back luxuriously in his chair an
ate quietly studied the two before him:
), Violet was Shall ano vel iaii, va
me family pink cheeks which blushed ca
AZ ily and prettiiy, and big blue eyes tn
aas had never lost their baby expressio
e e OF depth and innocence. Her hans
Tor we're very small and slender al
handled her embroidery floss
j." though meant for such work onl
on, She wore pale pink muslin til
for f,oated about her softly, making I see
fer as though she perched on her chs
like butterfly. One tiny point
,st- toe tapped tue floor as she rocA'
he Hack and forth. The, big blue ey
sought Harold's and smiled frank
our and happily. while the color deepen
AN in her cheeks
Inv Harold answered the smile a.
-. .arnaa embarrassed toward the reads