Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-11-14
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
/ expected to see a comely, motherly,
middle-aged woman, and was taken alto
gether by surprise when Nurse Gertrude
presented herself in the person of slight
young woman of twenty-five or there
abouts.
Of course l am no judge of female
beauty, but dent think Nurse Gertrude
at that time could be considered hand
some. or even very pretty. If / have any
prediction, it is for large women with
round, full figures; and l think l rather
like saucy eye and nice little turned
up nose.
Now Nurse Gertrude, though by no
means short, was, as i have said, slight
and thin. She had a very delicate, fair
complexion and pretty, dark hair, to be
sure; but her nose was long, and her
eyes were by no means saucy, but calm
and deep and thoughtful. Her express
sion was cheerful, and she had a pretty
trick of blushing, but in repose her face
was full of intelligence and solicitude.
One could not look at her without being
impressed with the belief that she was
essentially a pure and honest girl, with
a very earnest purpose, an amiable dis
position, and a clear-seeing, right-feeling
mind. Her eyes were so true and frank
and loyal, that one was attracted to-
wards her as to a friend whose fidelity
and love could never be doubted.
One thing struck me, and this was
that in some peculiarity-I know not
what-she bore a resemblance to Mrs
I no T.,
younger days. And this seemed also to
have struck Flexmore, for more than once
| saw him, forgetful of the table, looking
at her with the tenderest interest on his
poor old woe-begone face.
"Oh, | see how this will end" said
to myself. He'll marry that girl if
she'll have him."
Mrs. Yeames, like an old buzzard that
has missed its prey, lowered about the
neighborhood, watching the quarry with
the jealous intention of preventing any
other creature of her own species clawing
up what she had failed to secure She
took a cottage at the other end of the
town and joined a clique of ladies famous
for their ability in picking to pieces the
reputation OF fellowC Christian.
Meanwhile Nurse Gertrude fulfilled
her duties with the calm self-possession
of one conscientiously doing what she
feels to be right. What she had come
there to do. she did-and as if by magic.
With DR.. Awdrey's help she got the fever
under in a week, and after that she
brought smile back to the poor child's
wasted face, which was of still greater
Importance for when one can smile. one
can eat and enjoy food. She gave little
Laure something to love, and nourished
her heart with kindness. That was what
she needed: that was what she got. She
had been craving for love since her moth
er was taken away, and must have died
without it, as surely as plant must die
without sunlight.
But how was she to be weaned of this
| love-food in order that Nurse Gertrude
might in time return to her hospital:
Every day her appetite grew by what it
fed on. All the clinging affection she
| had borne to her mother she now exhibit
ed towards Nurse Gertrude. The child
| had recognized the likeness that had
struck me- mother and nurse alike, in
| some respects, were still of the same type
| of woman-and an excellent type, too.
After a time it became obvious that
Laurie was not to be weaned and that
| to take away Nurse Gertrude would in
fict the same terrible suffering the child
had endured iR losing her mother. There
upon there were consultations between
Flexmore, DR.. Audrey and me.
1T Is obvious that Nurse Gertrude is
very strongly attached to your child,
said DR.. Awdrey.
she is not unhappy here; she looks
| better than when she came" said Flex-
more.
"Oh, undoubtedly she is BETTER" DR..
| Awdrey agreed. THE confinement of the
| hospital and the air of London were
| telling upon her-in fact. l must admit
that in recommending her l was infu-
enced by the consideration that the
change would be to her advantage as well
as your daughters
IF she would only consent to stay here
as a companion to dear Lauren any
capacity, on any terms ~ said Flexmore.
DO you think she woud?'
Go and ask her." said l.
She was asked but DIR. Audrey was
the negotiator, for Flexmore had not the
courage of a mouse. And Nurse Gertrude
acquiesced- setting aside all other con-
siderations for the sake of the child whose
love had won her heart. So DR.. Audrey
put it; for my own part | could not see
what sacrifice she had made in exchang
ing a close hospital ward for a pleasant
and airy house, and an ill-paid slavery
for a very remunerative position where
she was free to do just as she liked. No !;
| looked upon it that the young lady, to-
gether with other very good qualities, had
very clear perception of her duty to
herself, and that she foresaw as plainly
as | did that sooner or later she would
become Mrs. Flexmore.
However to stick to the facts Of the
case; that day Nurse Gertrude came down
TO dinner without the becoming little cap
which had previously distinguished her
as an official nurse: and If we had come
TO think her pretty in her cap we were
bound to admit that she looked still nicer
without it-her pretty hair drawn neatly
up and cooled plainly on her head.
We have flower show in our town
once a year. The first day is the best.
of course. and the prices excluding the
poorer kind of people, only the upper sort
are there. There was rumor that titled
visitors were staying with the Caselys,
and that probably they would visit the
show in the afternoon: wherefore you
may be sure that Mrs. Yeames and her
''superiah' set were all there in full
feather.
About three O'Clock l saw Miss Dali
rymple come in with Laure; she never
missed any occasion of giving pleasure to
the child, or of taking it herself for that
matter. She was plainly dressed; but.
to my mind, there was no more elegant
young lady there. Mrs. Yeames with
three of her finest friends stopped them.
aud with the most distant patronizing in
clination of their heads to Miss Dalryn-
pie, bent down to kiss Laure. and ask
after her poor, dear papa. Then Mrs.
Yeames. taking the child's hand, led her
to a bank of cut flowers, asking her
whether she could spell the labels at
tached.
In the midst OF this instructive display
- I, +bara Ant