Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1918-02-27
HIS DAD
BY AGNES G. BROGAN.


| apprehension, for Jacks usually sun.
ny face, was clOuded by deep fur.
rOwed frOwn.
"What is it, dear?' she asked and
| he answered her, pacing about rest
| lessly.
Its Dad" he said Il told him to-
| night that we we're to be married, and
he put up the usual fuss. I'm tired
of it, Elsie; surely his selfishness has
barred our happiness too long. One
must have consideration for ill health
and g crwrOught nerves, but when
this is coupled with stubborn UErea-
sOnablenesS I've got to take things into
my own hands. He insisted that /
choose between you twO-and I've
chosen-that's all. The affair ended
in Dads threat to enter a Sanitarium,
to which retreat he says my cruelty
has driven him. He is decided upon
the point that no daughter-in-law-'nO
fault-findng, debating daughter-in-
law l believe were his WOrds-shall
ever enter his home. He is equally de-
termined not to be living in suffer
ance' as he expressed it, in his sons
the ways"
Jack dropped into chair. 'It's a
problem, Elsie" he said YEARLY. "NO
hired nurse or attendant has been able
to put up with Dad for more than two
days; and the chronic invalidism, is
| in my mind, more or less Imagination,
| and temper"
The girl sat gazing silently at her
folded hands, and the flashing ring Of
her betrOthal. Jackie" she said at
| length, perhaps that sanitarium idea
of your fathers is q good one after
| all-they do effect wonderful cures.
| There is pleasant 'healthOrium'
upon the hill. Why not agree to it for
month or so of trial? We could
postpone our marriage for a month,
dear"
SO it happened that John Curate,
| ST., was installed in a large CHEEKY
room in the notwithstanding home at the
top Of the hill. And here, where fret
full orders were of common occurrence,
frightened attendants did not always
rush to do his bidding. Neither did
the attendants leave in q huff, but
smilingly unmOved went about their
duties. 1t was when the pert-faced
nurse with the firm chin had dared
bring his egg-nOg ten minutes late
that Citrate, ST., sent for the physician
in charge.
"Disgusting negligence" he fumed,
eff you have in the building q nurse
who is not impudence itself, send her
to me-"
DR.. Mary Wilson considered. Miss
Earle is at least punctual," she said
thoughtfully, and presently Miss Earle
reported for duty. Her appearance
was undoubtedly prepossessing, and
her voice promisingly low and sub
missive. Her constant bright, good
nature would have infected any one
but this adamant patient, and finally
it won from even him grudging
smile.
'Pretty happy, aren't you?" he asked
one day.
always happy" she answered
promptly. "Have to be, the other sort
of thing doesn't pay" She cast back
a laughing glance at him. "Happiness
like patience, can be acquired" she
said.
'I-wonder," the old man unused.
The nurse tapped her soft hair.
Living example," she replied.
The egg-nogs were always On time
now, also, they were just right. Miss
Earle had a disQuieting and battling
way of slipping quietly out of his room
during a tyrannical Outburst, inno-
Gently returning later, a low song
upon her lips, sympathetic concern in
her violent eyes. The miracle had
happened. John Curate, the master
full, had found his superior" and his
admiration was unbounded Mixed
with the admiration was strange and
lOng-lOst affection, years ago he had
known the loss Of little daughter,
something of the old protective ten
derness for the child, evidenced itself
now, for the faithful young nurse.
"You are alone in the world?' he
asked.
"Alone, since my own dear father
died." she answered.
A rosy flush crept to the roots of her
home of my own. Some one, oh so
good and true to care for me. Some
one to make happy. Would you like
me to tell you all about it?'
'Please," said the patient, he was
feeling unaccOuntably old again, old,
deserted, and, alone. So the girl came
and sat down by his chair and the
freight in the big CHEEKY room shOne
back upon their faces. When she had
finished John Curate, ST., reached out
fumbling hand and closed it over
hers.
eff you will forgive a selfish old
man." he said, "and if I may call you
daughter, I will try to learn that
achievement of happiness you spoke
Of-and-patience."
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