Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-02-04

! o"i' put L was then too old
70 ADDRESS her, too young to properly
arrange Tor an Introduction. The coy
ness OF woman was in her, and she
gave me no opportunity. | have for
gotten now how the barrier between
us was broken down-whether she
dropped her schoolbooks tpurposely,.
wnetner l was with boy friend who
knew ner and Joined In the conyersa-
tion when he spoke to her or whether
sne gave me a smile in passing and |
made bold to offer her a posy. At
any rate, the first thing knew / was
floating down very pleasant stream
and In time got into the rapids.
How for three years l made love to
Agatha without my fathers suspect
ing 1t don't know. Perhaps he did
/ suspect it 1t may be he knew 1t. n
ne did, he didn't trouble himself about
1t. He had named the conditions un-
DER which | might inherit his wealth.
but he made no effort to impress me
with the Importance of my fulfilling
them. Doubtless he argued: IT have
settled the matter so far as am con-
cerned. If the boy chooses to throw
away a fortune and at the same time
take serpent to his bosom, he is well
, come to do So
Agatha was well born and well bred.
but she was at the wrong end of a
period of prosperity in her family.
When she became old enough to choose
a career for herself she decided upon
being trained nurse. She knew the
conditions of my fathers will and
would not for the world stand be-
tween me and fortune Her action
In the matter alone saved me from
giving 1t up, for | begged her to mar
ry me. Yet. looking backward, l don't
see how would have supported her,
for, being brought up as l was to in.
herit great wealth. was not practical
A strange coincidence happened. l
frequently visited my mother and stay
ed as long as pleased When l went
my father never asked me how long I
intended to remain away, and when
returned never complained that had
been gone too long, though am quite
sure he missed me. While was away
he never communicated with me. The
house might have fallen on his head
and l would never have known 1t un-
less by report.
On one Of my visits to my mother
stayed two weeks. l wrote to my
father every few days, though I did
not expect him to write to me. When
returned I was informed that he had
been taken Ill few days after my
departure and had been under the care
Of several doctors ever since. I ran
upstairs and was met on the landing
by woman In a nurses uniform.
"Agatha" l exclaimed. What are
you doing hereY
Nursing your father. A nurse was
called suddenly; responded and did
not know where was coming till I ar
rived"
What dispensationw
went In to see my father and found
him still quite Ill, though his doctors
had pronounced him improving. He
seemed much relieved at my return.
but said that he had had every care,
having been fortunate in his nurse.
He had asked for man, but his doc
tors had dissuaded him. my nurse is
treasure" he said. That's one thing
women can do well; they can take
care Of sick persons"
'And persons sick at heart, too"
nH6a1 no did RI haad
the remark, for he closed his eyes, and.
knowing how weak he was, left him.
He was i'll for several months,
months as full of bliss mingled with
bitterness for me as of suffering to
him. Agatha remained at her post all
this while, and when he became con-
valescent and she wished to be re-
lieved, that she might get rest, he
begged her to rest where she was,
turning over his care temporarily to
me. 1t is needless to say she con-
scented.
One morning she came out of the
sickroom with a joyous look on her
face
What is it?' asked eagerly.
"What do you suppose I have sue
ceeded in doing?"
"Whatf"
II am the bearer to you of your IA
theirs request that you go to your
mother and ask her to return to her
home"
was thunderstruck.
But gasped.
"But the conditions? There are no
conditions except that the past, or
rather, its cause. is not to be men
toned"
"And you have accomplished this?"
mot | alone. Invalids are noncom-
batants. Your father has been i'm
pressed with what have done for him,
though l have been paid for doing it.
This morning he asked me what he
could do for me besides paying me-
and | replied that If he would take
steps for reconciliation with his wife
would feel amply repaid. l have
done nv part 1t is now for you to