The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-07-27

one second of promptness or delay.
Papa has taught me how to act in
emergencies, before physician or sur
geon can be summoned"
"A female doctorw said Archie.
"No, Cousin Archie, but. hope. an
efficient nurse, and 1 am almost as
proud of being that as should be to
gain reputation as good physician"
she replied, quietly. Il have been
taught to try to do faithfully such
duty as lies at hand. We are not very
rich. as you know, and papa is train
ing me to fill a useful place in the
world, as far as am capable"
"Forgive me; was rude"
Linnet bowed gravely, and walked
out of the room to visit certain of the
village patients whom her father had
left under her care.
Lynne was rich, but what human
being was the better for any noble use
of his wealth? His home was luxu-
rious, and the most elaborate invalid
devices were arranged in his bedroom
and sitting room, but he could find no
comfort that morning.
ARCHER Aunt Emily cried aghast,
half an hour later. "You surely are
not going out in this broiling sum-"
"Only for a walk to the village" he
answered.
"But you can send Tom for anything
you want" his anxious relative per-
sisted.
II shall not walk far"
The sun was hot. and Archie was not
strong, in spite of his tall figure and
broad chest. Very soon he felt he
must either sit or fall down; and. very
pale, he entered little cottage porch
and sank on a seat there.
When the first dizzy sensation had
passed he became conscious of a IA
miliar voice on the other side Of the
window near which he was seated.
Remember" the voice said, and Ar
chic wondered at its low, sweet tone,
"you are to make no exertion for the
present. / have engaged a woman to
come here and do all the work, and
care for you. When you are quite
strong again 1 win see that You have
sewing to do"
A rustic at the door. and Archie saw
Linnet staring at him in such utter
amazement that her expression was
actually ludicrous.
81 came to escort you home" be
said. "and the heat was too much for
mew
He was still deadly pale. Without a
word Linnet stepped into the house.
ard returned with her handkerchief
wet with cold water to lay on his head.
you'd better postpone your next
walk till after sunset" she said, dryly;
"now, be, good enough to wait here.
and will 60 for the carriage"
"No, I will walk back" Lynne per-
sisted, and his cousin attempted no
further protest. Presently the two set
out on their return.
Linnet's ample sunshade was a re-
lief, but Archie fully justified his
aunt's fears by the condition IL which
he entered the house.
"You see what useless animal /
am" Archie said.
II see that you chose wrong time
to walk, after living in cell all sum-
mer," was the reply. '.This room Is
like Vault should die here!'
"Do you know, Archie" she contin-
ued, mercilessly, my whole hospital
ward does not give me so much trouble
as 1t does aunt to keep charge OF that
troop of bottles"
"But 1 can't sleep or eat without
medicine"
poor fellowr'
He saw very little of her during the
next week.
DR.. Morris. rightly judging that work
would prove the best cure for loneli-
ness, had hunted up few cases dur
ing his weeks stay in the village. so
that Linnet could minister to the suf-
ferings caused by overwork and pow
erty.
Letters from Nice informed Linnet
that her aunt was far too i'll to return
home. The poor lady grew worse and,
at the close of two months. death
ended her sufferings.
DIR. Morris fastened back to Eng
land, and as soon as he reached Lon
don sent for his daughter.
A sudden dismay seized Archie. For
the first time he realized how much
sunshine Linnet would carry away
with her. He studied the matter well.
and to his cousins unbotnded amaze
ment made her an offer Of marriage.
THANK YOU" she said, shortly. Il
do not fancy living in a private hospi-
talr' She was touched by his panied
face, but she went on ruthlessly. in
the hope that her words, spoken at
such a moment might have lasting
effect. when 1 marry, my husband
| must be a man doing a mans work
not . wretched hypochondriac, wear
ing cut his life on sofav
1t was caustic treatment, and Archie
rejected 1t at first. hurt and indignant,
but as days wore on the sting, ranking
deeper, touched chords Of conscience
and he reused his faculties to self
communing which, though bitter
proved wholesome.
1t was not easy to cast OF habits al
most lifelong, which had been fostered
by some actual suffering. encouraged
by his aunt, and most assuredly not
discouraged by the village doctor. who
had drawn a nice yearly income there
1 from.
| Linnets astonishment reached q eli