The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-24

show no more than the gratitude we
should feel. But there are possible
complications which might iniure"--
A peal of laughter interrupted her.
And do you think. then" asked Prin-
cess Marie. that | am such a madcap as
to bring reproach upon our name? Can |
not be trusted In the house OF our most
faithful friends, Nolner and his wife?
What terrible fate are you predicting?"
mo fate more terrible than an unhap-
by attachment. These things
These fiddlcsticks" laughed Marie.
who is there To send, then? No one we
can trust. | shall GO"
WELL you always have your way. and
Charles Will uphold you IL you declare
your intention Of visiting the moon. Go
IL you will. but let me make the first visit
with you"
"Nol" cried Marie. "You. with your
straightforward American, will spoil the
whole thing. Let me go alone. You must
come, II you come al all. as our princess.
Upon me no such obligation rests. / am
Adria's cousin. very experienced
nurse"
Princess Margaret shook her head hav-
ing had presages OF evil. But Marie
laughed and danced away.
Adria found time 10 care for Bucl<ford
even while her gowns were being made.
Wallace did not improve as rapidly as
had been expected. lie fretted a good
deal at being burden upon his host But
Volner sienced that. Prince Charles came
often and one day brought his wife. who
graciously thanked Wallace and begged
that as soon as he was able he would be-
come their guest at the castle.
But alas. IL would be some time before
he could do that.
Then one day Adrla, blushing and
stammering, seeming TO have almost lost
control OF her tongue, entered his room.
leading girl about her own age clad I'm
plain but most becoming garments and
wearing a small Partisan cap which
might easily be nurses cap.
M Wallace" said Adria. II am sorry
to tell you that / must leave you for
time. Tomorrow is my wedding day. The
prince and princesses have graciously re-
quested that the ceremony be performed
at the castle"
Wallace smiled and held out his hand.
II am glad" he said. II, OF course, shall
lose a tender and faithful nurse, but |
must not be selfish. Duvally deserves his
bride"
"And you will not feel the loss" said
Adria, with an effort TO be serene. This
is my cousin Elsa. an experienced nurse
from Trolle. In my absence she will do
what have done or more"
Wallace looked up into the demure face
of the nurse from Trolle and thought IL
a sweet sympathetic face.
II have heard your story. NJ Wallace,
she said In low sweet voice. "The peo-
pie at the castle have reason to be very
grateful to you. They have visited you,
OF course"
II did nothing that any one else might
not have DONE" said Wallace. Yes. they
have been here to see me and are very
kind-that is. the prince and his Ameri-
can princess have been. The one / wish
ed most 10 see has not been"
Some one you knew?" asked the new
nurse sympathetically.
NO oh. no." blundered Wallace. "but
one i have wished to see-the Princess
Marie"
"Ah! She is an ungrateful girl. think
ing only of her own pleasures said the
nurse.
mo. I cannot believe that" said Wal
lace. Il saw her picture once. She was
beautiful"
"And you wanted 10 hear words of
gratitude from her own lps?" asked Elsa.
"No, not that. don't like TO hear words
OF gratitude. / just wanted to see her
and talk with her as with any ordinary
person"
"You may yet have that pleasure"
she said. "Princesses are at liberty TO
nurses. / have already permitted YOU
TO talk too much. Now bid Adria adieu,
wish her good luck and happiness and
then resign yourself TO the commands
of one who is severe and unwavering.
So with kind words Adria went, and
Elsa took up the work.
The good farmer Volner and his wife
seemed to stand much In awe of their
pretty niece, for she had her own way
in the house.
From the capacious kitchen came
wonderful dainties and appetizing dishes
made by the new nurse. The water
from the spring soon tasted sweeter II
handed by her I'm the thin little drinking
glass. Her step was light as air, her
voice soft and sweet, her touch gentle
and soothing
What a nursew thought Wallace
hundred times day. '' ! thought Adria
was perfect but this one is beyond even
worldly perfection
But sometimes a peculiar feeling came
over him that he had seen that face be-
fore. IL appealed TO him somehow in
a way that a face totally unknown could
not. The nurse always wore her cap.
which held captive and out OF sight her
wealth OF beautiful hair
And Wallace grew stronger gradually
and thought more and more OF his nurse.
One day she brought him a tender fowl
she had /. broiled with her own hands.
She poured his wine for him and set
IL down on the table Volner had made.
AS Wallace reached out to take the
wine his hand touched hers. For "a
moment he pressed the dainty fingers.
Elsa blushed. but she did not withdraw
her hand.
"As." said Wallace. with some bitter
ness. "it is hard to be without power
or money! Elsa. you have been too kind.
You have given me a wound from which
no nursing will enable me TO recover.
Yet I am poor and would not ask YOU TO
share my miserable condition. In hap
pier days may hope that some Of the
love | feel for YOU will he reciprocated2"
vivid blush overspread her face.
She was about 10 reply when the wife
OF Volner entered. Elsa, I'm her confu-
sion, turned away and put her hands
TO her cap. as II TO arrange II. But she
touched IL with too heavy a hand. IL
fell TO the floor. and mass Of beautiful
brown hair fell In lovely profusion TO her
waist. IL made n great change I'm her
appearance. Wallace. unmindful Of the
presence Of Volner's wife. stared. thought
and started I'm embarrassed establishment
TO a sitting posture.