Saint Mary's beacon., 1917-02-08

e GATE HAD DECREED


tones OF Mrs. Orme's voice that meds
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 1
chose the career Of 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 a 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, 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 knowI-
edge which delighted him. Mrs. Orme
was not q pleasant woman to nurse;
she was fretful and naughty and az
soon as she had recovered enough
to be waited upon by q non.profeasion
al nurse, Miss Dayton announced that
she would leave, as soon as her place
could be filed. She felt that she had
already stayed too long under that
roof. because she had suffered much
on account Of the arrogance OF hoi
patient Also she felt that should she
remain longer and be constantly lr,
the company OF Doctor orme. whc
made the house his home. she would
lose her heart 20 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 her presence. and rec
ognizing the true woman beneath the
cold professional manner she assumed
he was assured she was worthy
mate for him, and determined to ash
her to share his future. When he
learned that she was about 10 leave
he wrote 70 her, as she avoided beint
with him, and confessing his love-
asked her to marry him.
Put your answer on the table near
the window In the sick room thia
afternoon" he wrote In conclusion.
"and pray that Il may be the kind o.
answer which my heart desires"
When Julia received this letter the
tender feelings she had 80 resoluteiy
crushed back-escaped from theii
bonds. and her heart Hlled with Joy:
she acknowledged 10 herReIf that she
loved him. Accordingly, she wrote
him latter telling him her lie story.
Her childhood and youth had beer
spent in . home OF wealth and Luxury
Il accept your offer. not because you
viii restore me to my former plaza
in society. and relieve me from = llfs
Of toil--but because have learned
= love and respect you"
Thls letter she placed on the table
as requested AZ soon as she had
left the rom. Mrs. orms. who had
been watching her. slipped out Of
bed and went TO the table.
The sly mink" she exclaimed =
thought all along that she was trying
10 ensnare him. Not II can help
It."
She was about to break the seal OF
the letter when she heard footsteps ap
preaching. and slipping the misaive
hastily into a 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.
ly77 she queried.
YES" replied Mrs orme. adding
sweetly--'I see you are very anxious
to leave. Miss Dayton, AH Celeste.
my maid, can wait upon me now, you
may 90 at once"
Very we'll" she rejolned II viii
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 tho
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 70 the library
shelf, still holding the precious mia.
sive which possessed the power OF
changing the whole current OF a mans
life.
Months afterward Doctor orme teok
down book from the library shelves,
and out fell the letter she had writ
ten him. unopened. He read Il
and Immediately set about finding
the missing writer. Many weakn
were destined 70 elapse before sue
cess crowned his efforts. but at
last he located her IN q New York
hospital When he entered the room
where she awaited him, he held out
the fateful letter
4 received this eight months after
It was written, Julia" he said. Il
have been searching for you ever
since. Tell me-is the message stlli
true-or am ! too later"
The girls eyes oiled with happy
tears.
You are not too Late. she said
softly. 7 would have waited for you
toreyerhad Fate 50 decreedi"
Does the question Of conserving soil