Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-04-09
AS FATE HAD DECREED
BY ELLA WARRINGTON DAVIES.

Wuy 1lO yOU, VIII ccSm W OS q WV
man of education, choose SUCH nenial
employment as nursing?''
There was sneer under the smooth
tones of Mrs. Orme's voice that made
Julia Dayton bite her lips to keep
from answering hastily. Finally she
replied quietly: II nursed my father
and my mother through serious ILL
ness, and when necessity arose l
chose the career of a professional
nurse because ! believed that I was
well fitted for it."
And you chose wisely" said Doc
tor Orme, who had entered his sister
in-law's room unannounced.
Miss Dayton made no reply, but
went about her work preparing some
thing for her charges comfort, trying
to appear unconscious that two pair Of
eyes were watching her closely. Mrs.
Orme watched her because she felt
curious, and was beginning to notice
what charming woman she was.
Doctor Orme watched her for both Of
these reasons, and for the added one
that, while they had fought together
to keep life in the body of his sister
in-law. a vain. proud woman. he had
become deeply attached to the nurse.
He knew nothing of her, but could
not doubt that she was good, gener-
Gus, and refined. She never talked
about herself. but conversed on any
other subject with an ease and knowl-
edge which delighted him. Mrs. Orme
was not pleasant woman to nurse;
she was fretful and naughty and as
soon as she had recovered enough
to be waited upon by a non-profession-
al nurse, Miss Dayton announced that
she would leave. as soon as her place
could be filled. She felt that she had
already stayed too long under that
roof. because she had suffered much
on account of the arrogance OF ner
patient. Also she felt that should she
remain longer and be constantly in
the company of Doctor Orme, who
made the house his home, she would
lose her hear; to him. She could not
hope that she. an unknown nurse
might secure the love of this man.
wealthy, talented, and already famous
In his profession. Yet Julia Dayton
was mistaken. He had already yielded
to the charm Of ner presence, and rec
ogniZing the true woman beneath the
cold professional manner she assumed.
-h1 H,ync
mate for him, and determined TO ask
her to share his future. When he
learned that she was about TO leave,
he wrote TO her. as she avoided being
with him. and confessing his love
asked her to marry him.
Put your answer on the table near
the window in the sick room this
afternoon he wrote in conclusion,
land pray that it may be the kind of
answer which my heart desires"
When Julia received this letter the
tender feelings she had so resolutely
crushed back-escaped from their
bonds, and her heart filed with joy;
she acknowledged TO herself that she
loved him Accordingly, she wrote
him letter telling him her life story.
Her childhood and youth had been
spent in a home of wealth and luxury.
IT accept your offer. not because you
will restore me to my former place
in society, and relieve me from a life
of toil-but because ] have learned
- Ioyo ,p5 raopaot Won
This letter she placed on the table
as requested AS soon as she had
left the rom, Mrs. Orme, who had
been watching her. slipped out OF
bed and went to the table.
THE sly MINK" she exclaimed. L
thought all along that she was trying
to ensnare him. Not if I can help
it,
She was about to break the seal OF
the letter when she heard footsteps ap-
preaching, and slipping the missive
hastily into book, she hurried back
to bed. Doctor Orme entered, glanced
at the table, seemed disappointed and
went out again. AS soon as he had
left. Mrs. Orme rang for Julia. who
also glanced at the table, and saw
that her letter was gone.
HAS Doctor Orme been here recent
ly?' she queried.
YES" replied Mrs. Orme, adding
sweetly-"I see you are very anxious
to leave, Miss Dayton. AS Celeste
nv maid. can wait upon me now, you
may go at once.
VERY WE'LL" she rejoined. II will
leave my address for" she was about
to say Doctor Orme, but substituted
for you, in case you should require
my services again"
With Julia once safely out OF the
house Mrs. Orme's frivolous mind be-
came occupied with other matters, and
the letter concealed in the book was
entirely forgotten by her. The book
in question was returned to the library
shelf, still holding the precious mis-
sive which possessed the power Of
changing the whole current Of mans
life.
Months aftervard Doctor OrIne took