The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-03-28


at that moment that he was the hand
soonest and most noble looking man
of 40 she had ever seen.
ut was SO pleasant after the rain
that l thought / would walk over
and bid you all good bye, as I leave
for Europe the day after tomorrow. "
Racheps heart gave little jump.
She knew instinctively that it was to
be wedding journey.
The judge seated himself on the
steps, and Rachel resumed her place.
Her father sat in wicker chair at
the edge of the porch, and Rachel
leaned her head against his knees.
Somehow she felt that when she was
close to him the very touch of her
would help him to bear any hardship
that might develop. But the judge
had not come to talk business. All
of this that he touched upon was to
say that Mr.. Sheldon need not worry
about that little matter they were
both concerned in that everything
would remain just as it was until his
return from Europe in a year from
that day.
When the little lady mother ap-
peared at the hall door to announce
supper, the judge responded that he
believed he would when asked to join
the family.
He praised the faky white biscuits
and the new strawberry preserves that
Rachel had made and directed pleas
ant remarks to the sweet, slim girl
who fitted about the table attending
to everybody's wants.
When he had gone that night,
Rachel missed something. There
seemed to be no relief for the little
tight hugging at her heart strings
but tears, and so she cried until she
fell asleep.
But before she went to sleep she
had reached a determination. Next
day after breakfast she told her father
and mother what it was.
Her mother protested but her father,
knowing of an impending misfortune,
realized that Rachel was wise, and so
her best guides.
And so it was that Rachel went to
the city and learned to be nurse.
A whole year had slipped away and
Rachel had worked very hard. 1t
was lot harder to sit up with fever
ish patient in hospital ward than it
was to put up strawberries in the
farm house kitchen, but Rachel loved
her work and the doctors in the hos
pital said of the gentle and soft-voiced
little nurse that she was born to her
vocation" But Rachel was very
tired and had gone hcme for short
while to rest.
She had been home week and was
sitting on the porch again at her
fathers feet, after having made her
mother comfortable in the hammock
at the far end of the porch.
"Have you heard anything from
Judge Weldon since his return from
abroad?" sbe asked. 1t was the first
time the old worry had in any way
been referred to.
"No," her father answered. 81
have not, except to know that he is
at home and is at present very ILL.,"
oil" Rachel exclaimed. "Seri-
ously so p
"I believe he is," answered her
father calmly. II was thinking of
driving over there after supper to ask
how he is getting on"
Just then the judges carriage turn
ed into the road and the judges sister
alighted. Miss Weldon was spin
ster known far and wide for her dis
tant manner and disinclination to "un-
bend" Rachel hurried down the
rose bordered walk to meet her.
There was no reserve about her man.
ner now. She fairly embraced the
girl.
"Oh, Miss Rachel" she cried, II
am so glad l found you here. My
brother, the judge, is seriously i'll.
He has typhoid fever, and at present
does not know any of us. DR.. Bry-
son. our physician, said that he heard
you were at home for vacation, and
that possibly we might be able 10 get
YOU to come over and help US care for
the Judge. We sent in town for a
nurse last night, but have received no
answer yet"
Certainly I will GO" said Rachel,
and it was only WITH a professional
air that she answered.
"How soon? p asked Miss Well.
don.
cat once" Rachel replied, and in
less than an hour she was beside the
Judges sister in the carriage.
1t was long siege, but finally the
Judges constitution won the battle.
He had recognized Rachel, and was
so glad to know that she had learned
to be nurse SO opportunely. Rachel
told him that she realized that there
might shortly be a need of her be-
coming self-supporting, so that the
little means possessed by the family
might all be for the mother and
father, who were growing old.
And not until the judge was prop.
ped up in bed in the midst of mound
of pillows did Rachel dare to ask
where Mrs. Weldon was.
"Mrs. Weldon 7" echoed the judge
"Why, bless you, child, whom dt
you mean?"
why, why" Rachel faltered
"Miss Seaton, of course. /"
Then the judge laughed SO heart
ily that the little nurse looked up II
surprise and with professional man
ner seemed to note in the strength o
the laugh sure sign of returnini
! health.