Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-07-11
CHAPTER III.

I expected to see a comedy, motherly,
middle-aged woman, and was taken alto
gether by surprise when Nurse Gertrude
presented herself in the person Of a slight
young woman of twenty-five or there
abouts.
OF course l am no judge of female
beauty, but l don't think Nurse Gertrude
at that time could be considered hand
some, or even very pretty. II l have any
prediction, 1t 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 | 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 pure and honest girl, with
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 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 q resemblance to Mrs.
Flexmore as l 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, | see how this will end" said
to myself. Hell marry that girl II
she'll have him."
Mrs. Yeames, like an old buzzard that
has missed its prey, hovsred about the
neis hborhood. 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 Mt the other end of the
town aud 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 consclentiously doing what she
feels to be right. What she had come
there to do, she did-and as IL by magic
With DIR. Awdrey's help she got the fever
under in a week, and after that she
brought smile back to the poor chld's
wasted face, which was of still greater
importance; for when one can smile, one
Gan eat and enjoy food. She gave little
Laure something to love, and nourished
L L - II. - d.
she needed; that was what she got. She
hsf been craving for love since her moth
er was taken away. and must have died
without il, as surely as a plant must die
without sunlight.
But how was she 10 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 1t
fed on. All the clinging affection she
had bsrne 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 stiA OF the same type
of woman-and an excellent type. too.
After a sime it became Obvious that
Laurie was not to be weaned and that
TO take away Nurse Gertrude would in
hict the same terrible suffering the child
had endured in losing her mother. There
upon there were consultations between
FleSmore, DIR. Awdrey and me.
ut 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.
Audrey agreed. ''rhe confinement of the