Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-06-28

said Agnes, brokenly. 81 don't want
to go away from you. l don't want
to go! But I'm just wretched fail
ure"
MY dear" said Miss Marshall very
gently, this life of mine has grown
out Of failure far more serious than
yours. 1t isn't what I should have
chosen when 1 was your age. Per-
maps you are going back to the oppor-
tunltles | missed. But you may take
the word of an old doctor for this
there is never failure up to the very
moment of death, which does not
bring with itself duty, fresh re-
sponsibility. And that means oppor-
| tunity."
Agnes arose after a moment, and
! paused at the door of the office.
My time is just up today, Miss
Marshall she said with some hesita-
ton. If you are willing, I should
like to go home at once-it will be so
much easier for me. I can leave on
the one o'clock train"
VERY well, if you choose" Miss
Marshall answered. She came a step
nearer, holding out her hand; and
Agnes, moved by a sudden impulse,
did what no other girl in the hospital
had ever yentured to do. She bent
and kissed the border of Miss Mar
shalPs cap and the gray hair beneath
| it.
The nurses were very kind when she
went upstairs to say goodbye. She
had been popular with most of them
and they were sorry to lose her. But
there was no time for long condol-
ences, and none of them could be
spared to go with her to the station.
drilling rain was falling as her
train pulled out She looked from her
window over landscape full of COM
monplace and the discouraging I'M
kempt cottages and ragged fields on
the edge of the city.
Very different was the quiet coun-
try town to which she was going; but
the dull misery in her heart grew
sharper as she thought of it. To go
back to emptiness Of days, aimless-
ness of life! To say good-by forever
to the hope she had cherished for
years!
A baby across the aisle cried with
renewed persistence, and she reused
herself to notice it, She had always
a "knack" with babies, and the last
month of her probation had been
spent in the infants ward.
This baby, helpless in the helpless
ness of his pale little mother, soon
fixed his gaze upon Agnes and enunci-
ated a fresh appeal, stretching out
his hands. She laughed, and took
him in her arms, while the mother
sank back with a sigh of relief.
I'm all worn out, miss. Yes, he's
my first, and I'm not very handy; and
I'm always caresick."
81 think have something here that
will help you" said Agnes, eagerly.
st always helps me. There-let it
dissolve in your mouth. Now lean
your head back and shut your eyes.
I'll attend to this young man.
In twenty minutes the baby was
sleeping quietly, and the mother look
ed up, refreshed and grateful
you're the kind of young lady
that's born to help folks, I guess,
she said, as she left the train. you'll
be making some home happy place"
Agnes laughed again. but little
sadly Years before she had thought
this ready helpfulness was part of her
call to work. Did it only mean GILL
ing up the chinks," after all? But,
upon reflection, there were unnumber-
| ed chinks of human need to be filled
in this world!
Her father met her at the little
country station-sIght1y alarmed at
| her telegram, anxious to be sympathe
tic over her disappointment, but quite
unable to conceal his delight at hav-
ing her at home again.
Your cough is worse" she said, re-
proachfully, as they drove home in
the rain.
"a little" he acknowledged. "It's
this raw weather. And somehow l
haven't been feeling quite SO strong
! lately. Viola tries hard, but she's
only a young girl; and the new cook
doesn't understand my dyspepsia.
Didn't | write you that Bridget was
married last month? You see, dear,
haven't had anybody to take care of
me since you left"
I'll make some broth for your sup
per myself" said Agnes, laying her
cheek on her fathers shoulder. "And
l know just what to do with that
cough"
How she blessed the course of dry
lectures on bronchitis, and the days
| she had been allowed to help in the
| diet-kitchen!
Her health was good enough for
home life" Miss Marshall had said.
How had she ever imagined that there
could be a lack of duty and oppor-
tunity in her mothers home? And
the little woman on thetrain-was not
keeping some ones home happy
| career large enough for any girl?