The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-04-07

YES; thought might find rel
mot till to-morrer.'
Sks drew long breath.
us there a hotel near?"
"Fact'ry boardin' house: but guess
it's pretty full. That's II down yon-
der" pointing with his finger; "the
house with a blind swingin' on the
hinge. BE you lookin' for "A job? |
hear they're needin' two or three
more weavers. That's the only job
know of. unless it's old Tom Far
rar's. He's been man O. all work
round the mill ever since nobody
knows when; but he's been sick now
for a month. or so. But of course, you
don't want that job. But, oh, say!" as
she started down the platform, Il
most forgot. l heered this mornin'
that the woman who's been nussin
Tom is goin' off to-day. Mebbe we
could get her job"
Mary nodded her thanks, a sudden
resolution flashing into her eyes.
She smilingly inquired her way to
the home of Mr. Farrar. There she
found middle-aged woman, who
greeted her anxiously. But on learn
ing her errand the woman's face
cleared.
That's what l call a special provi-
dence!" she exclaimed heartily. You
see, I've got to go, for my sisters
sick: but I've been hatin' to leave old
Mr.. Farrar. The very best l could
think of was gettin' neighbor's lit
tie girl. only Ia, to come in; but sted
be a pretty poor excuse. Have you
done any nussin'?"
IL took care of my mother a good
many years before she died. us he
very ill?" Mary asked, as she went
inside.
We'll, no; not so very, now. He's
gettin' better slowly"
She was right; Mary did like II. She
remembered many of the tempting
dishes which she had prepared for her
mother, and she made them now, sing
ing little snatches of song as she did
so. She had not known what she was
fitted for Now she knew that she
could be a good nurse. Perhaps she
could also be good at other things;
but she had not found that out yet.
What surprised her most were the
books in every room, some of which
even she looked at with awe. They
all showed marks of much use, as well
as loving care.
AS the days went by, these eyes be-
gan to follow her as she moved softly
about the room, contented and loving
ly at first, then with a questioning
usefulness. as though the clouded
mind were striving to grasp something
1t could not quite reach. Then, one
day, there were several minutes when
the eyes grew clear and intelligent, and
gazed at her with almost startled Won
der. The next day the lucid interval
was. longer, and several times repeat
ed. But he did not speak; he only
gazed at her and passed his hand
across his brow from time to time
Then came a morning when he was
strong enough to sit up in bed; but
still the usefulness and wonder re-
manned in his eyes.
you are new nurse?" he said
Eyes"
II knew 1t, of course, but haven't
said anything. II have been trying
to get my mind clear. thought as |
got stronger my mind would get bet
ter, but IL doesn't I'm afraid it's
getting worse. l suppose I'm grow
ing old, and it's to be expected but
I've been planning for good deal
OF reading and study yet, and haven't
realized how the years slip by"
Mary stroked his hand softly.
You cannot get well at once. Mr.. |
Farrar," she chided "You have been
very sick, you know. But you are |
growing stronger, gradually, and your |
brain is growing clearer. can see |
H."
You don't understand" he an |
swered gently, my body's stronger. |
but my mind doesn't seem to gain. 1t
made you out to be somebody else
from the first and has persisted in
the hallucination ever since. I've |
looked In other directions and.
changed my thoughts to other things:
but It's no use. You've taken care of
me, so my mind says that you're some
body whom ! used to know a long
time ago, who's dead suppose it's
what folks call second childhood
Then changing the subject abruptly:
How long have been sick?"
Il do not know. have only been
mere two weeks. 1t is now the fif.
teenth of July"
Iie looked startled.
$50 later he gasped. "Why 7
I've got a little girl off to school who
ought to have been written TO long
ago. Will you bring me my pen and
paper from the desk?"
Let me do It for YOU" she said
taking the pen from his shaking fin.
gers and moving a small table close
to his bedside
But he remained silent, looking at
her doubtfully. 'T-I-you see. don't
write to her directly" he said at
length. hesitatingly. There's AN old
friend In New York who acts for
Ia