Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-08-16

larning. wondered what could possess
her brother, who, with his wealth and
position, and leisure, was so admirably
adapted to take good care of wife,
and Just such wife as pretty little
Rose Castellaine would make.
A fortnight later, instead of blue
skies and balmy breezes, were several
days of easterly winds and driving
rain; and instead Of Mr.. John Granger,
smiling, Independent, an in the full
flush Of health and strength, was that
same gentleman cross, irritable, to/such
a degree that little Mrs. Estey cried
every day about it-and prisoner on
the sitting room sofa, with sprained
ankle and broken arm, the result OF
an accident several days or so before.
81 never, never shall have the pa
tience to nurse him through it," sobbed
his sister. "He's-oh, awful disagree
able, and declares do everything in
my power to make him uncomfortable!
He says l invariably knock the sofa
every time ] come into the room, and
that l haven't the least talent for
dressing his ankle, and he's-he's just
as cross as ever he can be; and what
ever l shall do I don't know, for he
won't allow hired nurse to bother
him, he says; and what with the chill
dren, and all the sewing, and never get
ting a word of kindness from him
And she broke down, in a burst of
sobs.
II wouldn't cry" said Rose, cheerily.
'"There's no man living worth crying
for. Just you go on with your sewing
and your ordinary duties, and leave
your bear of a brother to me to be
nursed. I'll take care Of him, and he
shan't make me cry either"
And that very hour, Rose Castellaine
went up to her own room to make a
few preparations.
ITO e-sure, l intended bringing my
visit to a close this very week." she
said, meditatively, taking down soft
gray wrapper from the wardrobe; "but
I'd rather stay a little longer than
not,' and her cheeks flushed and
happy light shone in her eyes.
Then she laughed softly to herself as
she entered the door of Mr.. Changers
"prison-cell,'' as he called it, in his pee
wish welcome.
81 will do first rate for your jailer,"
she retorted, gaily. 'Rest assured you
will have to be very docile and obedl
emit"
1t did not take many hours to con-
vince Mr.. Granger that Rose was a
born nurse. She moved SO quietly and
SO intelTigently, never startling him by
a sudden motion into nervous horror
lest she should hurt his sensitive ankle,
or crash against his arm.
She stepped lightly. She knew by a
sort of intuition when he wanted a
cooling drink, and when it was agree
able to him to have the room darkened
for his little. refreshing nap. She was
cheerful, little imperious. very
charming, and certainly as pretty and
graceful as could be desired.
She read to him, and read well. She
opened the doors leading into the music
room, and played and sang for him,
once or twice, while Mr.. Granger shut
his eyes and enjoyed it. She played
chequers with him, and-beat him, she
ordered, and frequently made, such
delicious little meals for him that he
began to look upon her as an inspira-
ton, and to quite reconcile himself to
the prospect of at least month of
such attendance.
"You're the most sensible little WO-
man ever saw" he said, toward the
end of the first week, and he reached
out his available arm and touched her
head caressingly, as she sat beside him,
holding the tray of food for him.
She smiled, and flushed, and dexter
ously removed her head from beneath
his hand.
do you really think so? That's good,
Mr. Granger; just see if this pine
apple is sugared enough, please!'
When Rose had left the room with
the tray, after dinner, Mr.. Granger lay
in an unusually gentle, meditative
mood, and thinking of her, too.
Il never imagined there was such a
difference in womankind," he mustu.
This girl is the concentration of all
that is womanly and lovely, and the
fellow would be brute who wouldn't
be happy in her society. If she can
make miserable sufferer feel content
ed and comfortable, she would certain
| ly make a strong, we'll man more than
happy. l wonder why she don't come
back? 1t isn't like her to neglect me
so long,
| And Mr.. Granger began to grow fret
| full and impatient for her to come, so
| that when Mrs. Estey entered the
room, half deprecatingly, he welcomed
her with the old cross fierceness:
Where is Rose? You can't do what
1 require doner'
| ssnl. roe Tnhn. c,,rolu CON Euhf