The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-02-15
CHAPTER II.

I expected to see 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 am no Judge Of female
beauty, but I don't 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 think rather
like saucy eye and a nice little turned
up nose.
Now Nurse Gertrude, though BY no
means short, was, as have said, slight
and thin. She had 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 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 pure and honest girl, with
very earnest purpose, an amiable dis
position. and clear-seeing, right-feeling
mind. Her eyes were SO true and frank
and loyal, that one was attracted to-
wards her as to 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 resemblance to Mrs.
Flexmore as had known her in her
younger days. And this seemed also to
have struck Flexmore, for more than once
l saw him, forgetful of the table, looking
at her with the tenderest interest on his
poor old woe-begone face.
"Oh, i see how this will end" said /
to myself. Hell 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 claw7ng
up what she had failed to secure. She
took cottage 1t the other end of the
town and Joined . clique Of ladies famous
for their ability In picking to pieces the
reputation Of fellow 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 week, and after that she
brought smile back to the POI child's
wasted face, which was of still greater
Importance; for. when one can smile, one
can eat and enjoy food. She gave little
Laurie 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 q 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 hospital7
Every day her appetite grew by what Il
fed on. All the clinging affection she
had borne to her mother she now exhibit
ed towards Nurse Gertrude. The child
had recognised the likeness that had
struck me; mother and nurse alike, IA
some respects. were still Of the same type
Of woman and an excellent type, too,
After 4 time Il became obvious that
LAure was not TO Be weaned and that
to take away Nurse Gertrude would in-
fict tho same terrible suffering the child
had endured il losing her mother. There
npon there were consultations betwoen
Flexmofe, d.. Awdrey and me.
1t Ii obvious that Nurse Gertrn1e u
very strongly attached to your child, Z
said Dr.. Awdrey.
szessy. q. ,.,s s,,,I. -, ~. a a. 49,