Year: 1878

Mrs. Stanley, she continued, looking up again,
with an expression of renewed hope, "the pa
pers said. you know, that he was taken to the
hospital. There must have been some foun-
dation for that statement.


1T seems as if there must, indeed. Yet l
could tell you of one or two similar instances,
where papers have published such reports,
and have been proved incorrect. l myself
went to one of the hospitals, in quest of a
man in whom was interested, from having
seen in a daily paper here that he, among
others, had been admitted into it, and found
that he had never been taken there at all. |
found him afterwards, in quite a different
place. So you see these mistakes do sometimes
occur"


II don't know what to think-what to be-
lieve," said poor Mary. ut seems as if l could
not give up hope, yet. As it is, must keep
on trying to find out about him, in some way
or other. Isuppose ought to 60 back home,
but hate to do it. In fact, unless he returns
there, shall have no object in staying there
any longer. 1 have no protector but him,
and I would rather make some other arrange
ment for myself; board in some quiet place,
for instance, with people who would be good
to me-" Tears filled her eyes, as this picture
of her desolation rose up before her.


my DEAR" said Mrs. Stanley. taking her
hand, II have something to propose to you'
which you may think little sudden but an
irresistible impulse prompts me to do it. l
am very solitary, and would dearly love to
have sweet young girl for companion. As
long as you decide upon no other plan, or
learn no news of your guardian, will you
not stay with me? We can take care of each
other, and l will try and be mother to you,
in every way that l can"


This unlooked-for proposal took Mary so
entirely by surprise, that at first she scarcely
knew what answer to make; but the favora-
BILE impression made upon her, by her new
friend, prompted her to accept the offer, at
least, for the present.


"You are extremely kind" she gratefully
replied, land though I cannot yet decide what
nv future life must be, since so much uncer-
tainty still hangs around my guardians fate,
I shall be thankful to put myself under your
care while 1 remain here, if you are willing
to have my company on such terms"


More than willing-I am delighted" re.
Joined Mrs. Stanley. ave will consider
it settled that way, then, for the present.
And though am not so selfish as to hope it
may be permanent-since that is implying
disappointment to your hopes-yet may be
permitted to congratulate myself on having
secured your companionship, at least, for a
time. am expecting to move tomorrow or
the day after, into furnished house, kindly
placed at my disposal, by friend, who has
left Richmond with his family, to be absent
for quite long while and | will tell you of
plan which have made, which, dare say,
you will assist me in carrying out. think of
fitting up one story of the house, which shall
not need for my own use, as sort of sick
ward, for the accommodation of limited
number of i'll or wounded Confederates, who
may require more tender nursing than they
can obtain in the hospitals. I could have,
saw four beds in each room, or three, at any
rate and as there are four rooms on floor,
that would give accommodation to at least
dozen men, at once. More than that, of
course, could not we'll attend to; for though,
in cases of necessity, should employ hired
nurses, yet 1 would expect to take the general
care Of all upon myself. What do you think
of my plan p


Mary replied that she thought it very be-
nevoent one, and likel y to do great deal of
good.


Il hope it may, I am sure" said Mrs. Stan
ley. II am so glad you approve of it. 1t is
my great delight to attend to the soldiers, poor
fellows, and do what can to alleviate their
sufferipgs And as I have had great deal
of experience in nursing, l am competent to
undertake charge of this kind. Now, this
morning, if you do not expect to employ
yourself in any other way, we might 60 out
together look over the house and decide what
articles are needed for our purpose, and then
purchase them and have them sent there at
once"


Mary, glad of some occupation which would
afford a relief to her melancholy thoughts,
consented at once to this arrangement. And
soon afterwards carriage. which Mrs. Stanley
had ordered, came to the door, and the two
entering it, set out on their expedition. The
house of which Mrs. Stanley had spoken was
handsome and spacious residence on the
outskirts of the city, situated in the centre of
a large flower garden, surrounded by high
wall. The quiet of its neighborhood, and the
convenience of its arrangements, made it in
every way suitable for the use to which its
future occupant designed to put it. She car
ried Mary over every part of it, and gave her
a choice of the apartments she would like to
occupy, she herself having selected rooms on
the lower story as being easiest of access, and
most convenient in regard to the kitchen and
laundry arrangements. Mary, who did not
desire more than a sleeping room for her own
use, chose one on the same floor. And there
being still an unappropriated apartment, for
merly used as sort of store-room, it was de.
cided that this should be converted into
parlor, so that the second floor might be left
free for the sick. ward arrangements. All fur.
niture and other articles, which had to be got
out of the way, could thus be removed to the
third story, which would remain vacant.
And Mrs. Stanley Immediately set a man to


l -. 49,. .o,.,,o] ,,L;lo thoy uont off m