Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-02-15
The Capitals
Short Story
AS FATE HAD DECREED
pn gllA NARlNeroN DAvlEa.

Guneg OF Mrs. Crimes voice that made
Julia Dayton bite her lips 70 keep
from answering hastily. Finally she
replied quietly: II nursed my father
and my mother through serious III
ness, and when necessity srDse ]
cak0se the career oe professional
nurse because believed that / was
wen Sit9ed for II &
And yCu chose wisely aaid Doc
tor Orxne, who had entered his sister
fn-sAW'e room unannOunced
Hiss Dayton made no reply but
went about her work preparing some.
thing for her charges comfort. trying
ID appear unconscious that two eair Of
eyes were watching her closely Mrs
Orrne watched her because she felt
curious, and was beginning to notice
what d 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 reined She never talked
about herself, but conversed on any
other subject with an ease and knowi-
edge which delighted him. Mrs. Orne
was not pleasant woman to nurse:
she was fretful and naughty and ss
soon rs she had recovered enough
a.. .,,,rS., - = =. efssz
al nurse. Miss Dayton announced that
she would leave. Hs soon as her place
could be filled. She felt that she had
already stayed too long under that
ROOT, because she had suffered much
on account of the arrogance Of her
patient. Also al1e 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 heart 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 her presence. and rec
ognixing the true woman beneath the
cold professional manner she assumed.
he was assured she was worthy
mate for him, and determined to ask
her to share his future. When be
learned that she was about To leave.
he wrote TO her, az she avoided being
with him, and contrasting his loyew
asked her to marry him.
.sput your answer on the table near.
the window In the alex room tlss
afternoon, ne wrote In conclusion,
and pray that It may be the kind Of
answer which my heart desires.
when Julia received this letter the
tender feelings ahe had go resolutely
crushed hack escaped from their
bonds, and her heart f1lled with JOY;
she acknowledged To herself that she
loved him Accordingly. she wrota
him d letter telling him her life story.
Her childhood and youth had been
spent Id home of wealth and luxury.
Il accept your Offer. not because you
will restore me % my former place
Ia society, and relieve me from life
Of toll but because / have learned
q love and respect you. Z
This letter she placed on thu table
as requested AZ soon as abe bad
left the rom. Mrs. Orme, who kad
been watching her, slipped out Of
bed and went to the table
THE ally mink abe exclaimed. s.
thought all along that she was trying
To ensnare him. Not II can help
it..
she was about to break the seal OF
the letter when she heard footsteps aE-
prpaching. and slipping the missivs
hastily into 8 book. she hurried back
Is bed. Doctor Orme entered. glanced
at the table. seemed disappointed and
went out again. As soon as be had
left, Mrs. orme rang for Jnita, who
also glanced at the table, and aaw
that her letter VA gone,
HAS Doctor 0rme been here recent
Typ she queried
yes, replied Mrs. Orma adding
sweetly II see you are VERY anxious
to leave. Miss Dayton. ~ CeIeste.
my maid. can walt upon me nov, you
may 50 at once
VERY vel" she reioined = win
leave my address for" she was about
Is gay Doctor Orme, but substituted
for you. in case you should require
my services again. e
with Julia once safely out Of the
house Mrs. 0rme's frivolous mind be-
came occupied with other matters, and
the letter concealed Ia the book was
entirely forgotten by her. The book
Ia question was returned TO the library
Shelf, stElI holding the precious mis-
sive which possessed the power q
changing the whole current 81 : mans
life.
Months afterward Doctor OTme fOOk
down q book from the library shaives.
ana ont fell the letter ahe had wrtsr
ten him. unopened He read Il
and Immediately set shout finding
the missing writer. Many weeks
were destined to elapaa baeore sue
Gees crowned his efforts. but nE
last be located her Id New York
hospital When he entered the rOona
WHARF she awaited him. he held ont