Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-09-12

from that day.
When the little lady mother appeared
at the hall door to announce supper, the
judge responded that he believed he
would when asked TO join the family.
He praised the haky white biscuits and
the new strawberry preserves that Ra
chel had made and directed pleasant re-
marks to the sweet, slim girl who fitted
about the table attending to every
body's wants.
When he had gone that night, Rachel
missed something. There seemed to be
no relief for the little tight tugging at
her heart strings but tears and 50 she
cried until she fell asleep.
But before she went to sleep she had
reached determination. Next day after
breakfast she told her father and mother
what it was. Her mother protested, but
her father knowing of an impending mis-
fortune, realized that Rachel was wise,
and so told her that her head and heart
were her best guides.
And 50 it was that Rachel went to the
city and learned to be a nurse.
A whole year had slipped away and Ra-
chcl had worked very hard. 1t was a lot
harder to sit up with feverish patient in
a hospital ward that it was to put up
Strawberries in the farmhouse kitchen,
but Rachel loved her work and the doc
tors in the hospital said OF the gentle and
soft voiced little nurse that she was born
| to her vocation" But Rachel was very
tired and had gone home for short while
! to rest.
She had been home a week and was sit
q, IL nt hn,. Got -.
| feet, after having made her mother com
! Portable in the hammock at the far end Of
| the porch.
"Have you heard anything from Judge
Weldon since his return from abro0dF"
she Gsked. 1t was the first time the old
worry had in any way been referred TO.
NO" her father answered, Il have
not, except to know that he is ut home
and is at present very ILL.,"
"m" Rachel exclaimed. Seriously
SOP"
"I believe he is" answered her father
calmly. Il was thinking Of driving over
| there after supper to ask how he is get
ting on"
Just then the judges carriage turned
into the road and the judges sister alight-
ed. Miss Weldon was spinster known
disinclinaton to "unbend." Rachel hur-
ried down the rose bordercd walk to meet
her. There was no reserve about her
manner now. She fairly embraced the
girl.
"Oh, Miss Rachel" she cried, Il am
so glad found you here. Ny brother,
the judge, is seriously i'll. He has typhoid
fever, and at present does not know any
4
that he heard you were at home for a va
cation. and that possibly we might be
able to get you to come over and help us
care for the judge. We sent in town for
a nurse last night, but have received no
answer yet"
Certainly l will 60" said Rachel, and
it was only with a professional air that
she answered.
How soon?" asked Miss Weldon.
"At once" Rachel replied, and in less
than half an hour she was beside the
judges sister in the carriage.
1t was a long siege, but finally the
judges excellent constitution won the
battle. He had recognized Rachel, and
was so glad to know that she had learned
to be nurse so opportunely. Rachel
told him that she realized that there
d
self supporting so that the little means
possessed by the family might all be for
the mother and father, who were growing
old.
And not until the judge was propped
up in bed in the midst Of q mound Of
pillows did Rachel dare 20 ask where
Mrs. Weldon was.
Mrs. WeIldon?" echoed the judge.
"Why, bless you, child, whom do you
meanW
"Why, why" Rachel faltered, Miss
SeGton, of course"
Then the judge laughed so heartily that
the little nurse looked up in surprise and
with a professional manner seemed 20
note in the strength Of the laugh a sure
sign Of returning health.
Rachel, child did NOT marry Mise
Seaton anybody else. / made my jour
ney alone. But / will never make an
other alone unless you force me 10. Go
to my desk over there-you will find it
unlocked, and in the left hand pigeon
hole you will find a package Of papers
marked Rachel. Bring them here.
See 2" said the judge as she handed them
TO him. Here are the deeds TO your farm,
to be held by you if you please or given
to your father, just as you wish 20 have
It. When / saw that the Seaton heirs
had good claim on the place, l offered
them price for it which was accepted.
This did before went away, so that
might give the papers to you as a we'd
ding gift when l returned provided"-
And here the judge stretched out his
arms to Rachel.
A few hours later the judges sister
kissed Rachel on both cheeks, something
she had never been known TO do before.
American Woman.