Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 7, Number 16, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 14 October 1876 — Page 6

THE MAI L.

A PAPER

FOR "SHE

5..

HI-love was bawd upon the fact, Tuat t-tie liad flue housekeeping taot.

Yv'hile ho somehow or other took Cuio -r lover's pocketbook.

«I„ ahrays thus when youth aud age, E iUM he inatrlinonlaj cage.

A ma the ag"d lover said:

i'.6ase uaiuo (Ijieday that y?v. shall W«k1^

A she, while blushing like a rose,

On

'^Lo jt aiiy Uuie, »po«*. *j

8

iturday,

the twelfth

n-r

falher wmi much pleased, Indeed, V»r ho ha somewhat run to seed.

An for Uzaie's mother, she A- just. ai glad glau could be.

•t Kor uo*," she argued, "I can net ^1"' A i»«il oack, and te happy yeit

10 ,ir«,s the.r daugater lu a siyiv 11 itaiui ih« aged lover's pue

And »he orien nlghs and mys: "I'd orter*' l* (onto uieehanie iuid my tiaugmer.

The Dead

1

Aw«a*

-which Mrs.

PEOPLE.

Her were turned toward the floorH. acanucU h«r tkrough lUe «pecs he wore

Thus they had sal fbr nl*htsand wlgbta— •."Each had III© other dead to rights.^

H.-r ii'i wa« thirty—maybe more He was a youth of olghty-four.f«„

of May,

Wo»vho«i-H

aa

tbohappyday-

Ml- wi.

w*"

H,-r allier mortgaged hhsesiflte, ,t me IU3 laiuuurc aud puiie. _xtl

1 fie day arrived—ill* two wofe hi oiuxt, j, xtu luto Hits wuudiug uiio«r p..cU«*l. .£

Tiiobridugrooin was quite full of fun, -A^id'saHl utsillO had just began.

Secret.

IiY wrr-KlH COLLINS,

CHAPTER VII. WIWi THKY roMK?

Toe housekeeper at Portugenna Tower juht lumpl'eU'd the new ssarv pr--ii.t rations lor the reception ot ber u.astt Hi stri»H-4, nt the time mentioned in -.Mi*. FranklaudV lei'.er fnnii St. .swith's on .Sea, when who wa« stai..od by ree- iving A n«»to sealed with black wax, in- MIIrounded by a tniek umurniiiu border. Tho note briefly communicated •tli' IMWSIII Captaiu i'r ever ton's deatu, «Dil iiilormed that the visit of Mr. $11.1 Mrs. Fiaukland Porthgenna was del' ml lor an indetinite period. iiv the »»sino jiost, trie builder who was 0 ,'.(-intending the renovainn of the west Ht

lirc

ne also received a letter,* request In luin to send in bis account as soon '-a-fcii© repairs on which be was then ennj,«d wire ctSniploted and tellinn hlru ll.nl Mr. Frank land was unaole, lor the iv. wiii, to give any lui ther attention to 4h«' projeet for making the north rooms i'iitatiie, in consequence ol a domestic atll ctloii which might possibly change intentions 1" regard to the alteration \n.powd in that part of the house.

tin the mceipt of this communication, *Hb». hullder withdrew himself and bis "•men as

soon

ironna

aa the west stairs and banls-

1. rs bud be*.n made secure: and Forth-

Tower was again lett to the care

01 the iM.usekeeper and her servant, without master or mistress, friends or strangers, to thread its solitary passages Mor "uliven its empty roouis.

Fr«ni this time,eight months passed «wa\.and tlie housekeeper beard nothing or bar master nnd uiistrens, except thoroutrh the medium ol paraprapbs in the local newspaper, which duutottsly xeftfreU to the probility ol their occu•"Vvlf tr th«r olA house, and interwtinjj

Juetn^eivt a in the affairs of their tenant«1rv at no vnry stant period, occasion* «1lv,ioo, whcn'buslnesH took him to the flvit wni the Keward collected reports ^txiut' bia «irfployers among the old friends *ud dependents ol the Treverton '#uillv. From these sources of in forma. '-^. ii, the 4*»qw ep» was led to conaide that Mr, and Mrs. Frankland had —jittjfned U» Ueoktey arter n^elving ^he nev^aoi C^iKin Treverton death, •*and tn»i MT«1 there some mouths In

Cir ^t ritirenient. When they luft that thof iiM»ved if the newspaper rert ws* to Serrwiiit d) to the iif ighbor-

KHtol Ixrjduii, mid o«etipiei the house 4ot iwtmo frlPiUls Who were traveling on r^tbe Here tney must have retuaintid 'nft *»me time, ft»r the new

carffie and thought no rumors of ®iov cbi«yc«» lu th ir abode. January mii«i FebrtiArv pa^tl without «nj news them y*fly in March the steward %ad ocoasiwn to go to'he po*t-town.

8When

ho return«,d to Porthgenna, be

•"tame bc*k With a new report relaUng to Mr and Misltfranklaod, whiob txcited the h^Hiaekoeper's lutereat In an extraordinarv degree. In two different quarV ^r», each highly respectable, the steward 'Jhau board «t facetiously announced thai dotuesUe responalblllties of his master anil mlatiW were likely to be in-

Cn»u*l by tbeir

1

oourso of tbe next

kwtier^i fa«* bflgbtenetl with onse *«j «ttrm ^»"aa she

—r-

read the

mrn

ll 1

vWt of h«r

^.^rsnd nLriis to the old houao A would t*k«pl in May^and tha. -*A thev mtgbt xpectad to arrive anv day fniui the first to li» t«uth of the

^"^fwwme wlikhad lea tl.o owners of purth^n* a ri »1. at last, t.»r vtsit'Qfl their eon. ry ••.,{, were i* with cert .v. p*i»eulars into

-ST-*

Frauklaud bad

MA Hit IA OE OF coy ENIBNCR. fKnkland bad very reasonably suggested returning again to Long BoJily-not only because all their oldest friends Uvea in the

held li«r h«nd,and she held his— im wighdd atar Jim," he whispered •Lta."

•r-i

\1 inch statement was-con»luored thin, As uia uuso wuiv most loo uiiir iu» chlu.

Ana his iictloiiR Bald, In Kpltc- of sherry, '1'ii«t x»

IKMJII

go ilia cviueiery.

msht be asked bin blu*hlug brklc sue Wiiit .ho Well SiittstUu

,s

hi aiiHuer: 'I wantsorue Mamps To a«u

»uy pa'« tlnancial ia:is|.S.

My wealth 1* In the hank," wild he, auu 1 wilt tlraw a cheeK lor tiiee,'

Aia»! upon thai fatal night 1 TU IMUK Weill higher iliun a kite.

And the jdurlfTcalled on I.lzzle'.s dad, A.id »oU ou. ovorytnmg u», hud.

In he poor bouse Lizzie's mot ..or sits, K.iguliml in

iiitrioucaoly

tils.

not th'ught

it advlsaol cuter in ber letter, fo® plain I acts of tho case were, that little discussion bad arisn between the husband and wife lp relation to the next place of residence which they should Select, alter the return from the contl-

neiebborbood, but also (and cirouinatances made this and Important consideration) because the place Lad the advantage of possessing an excllent restdent medical man. Unfortunately tbla latter advantage, so

far

lioun carry­

ing any weight with it iu Mrs. Fr«nk laud's estimation, actually prejudiced her mind against the pnJ-* of going to Long Beck ley. She had ahvay*, she acknowledged, felt at unreasonable antipathy to the doctor there. lie might be a vary skillful, an extremely po.tte, and an undeuUbly respectable man but HU£ uever l)a\ liktd iiiin, auu nevt-r should, and MIO u&h resolved oppose the plnn lor Ixiog Ueckley, because the execution of it would oblige her to commit herscli to his care. Two other places ol residence wero next sug-

like the notion of being attended by stranger. Finally, as she had all along anticipated, the choice of the future abode was leit entirely to her own inclinations and then, to the amazement ot her husbaud and ber friends, she Immediately decided on going to Porthgenna. She formed this straxge project, and \va» now resolved on executing it, partly because she "*ras more curious than ever to see the place again partly, because the Doctor who bad bueti with ber mother in Mrs. Treverton's last illness, and who had attended her through all ber own lit le maladies, when she was a child, was still living and practicing in the Porthgenna neighborhood. Her father aud the Doctor had been old cronies, and had met for years at the same chessboard every Saturday nigi.t. Tue\ had kept up their friendship, when circum stances hod separated them, by exobang esofCnristmaspre-eiius very year and when the sad news of thvi Captains death bad reached Cornwall, the Doctor had written a letter ol sympathy and condolence to Uosauiond, speaking in Biieh terms of bis former friend and palron as she could never torget. lie must bo a nice, fatherly old man, now —the man of all others who was tlttcst on eyery account, to attend her. Ii short. Mrs. Franklaud was just as strongly prejudiced in lavor of employ ing the Porthgenna Doctor asslmwas prejudiced agaiust employing the Long BecKley Doctor and s»be ended, as ad young inarritd women, with affection ato husbands, may and do ei.d, when ever they please—by carrying ber own point, and having her own away

On ihe first of May, the wist rooms were all ready for the

reception

of

the

master and mistress of 'lie use. The beds were aired, the carpets cleaned, the solas aud chairs uucoveied. Tne housekeeper put on ber »a in j^own and her garnet brooch the main followed suit, at a respectlul distance, in tirown merino and a pink ribbon and tin bald old steward, determining not t: bo outdone by the women, produced a now and becoming auburn wig, ordered expressly for tho occasion, and a Mack brocaded waistcoat, which almost rival fd the gloom and grandeur of the housekeeper's satin gown. The day wore on, evening closed in, bedtime came—and there were no signs yet Mr and Mrs. Frank laud.

But the ii ret was an onrly day oi which to expeet them. Ti steward thought so, and the housekeeperaddeo that it would be foolish to leel oisappointed. even if they did not arrive until the fifth. The "iifth came, and still nothing happened. Too sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth followed and no aound of tho expected carriage whee came near the lonely house.

On the tenth, and last day, the house* keeper, tho steward, and the maid, all three persons rose earlier than usual all three opened and shut doors, and went up aud down stairs oftener than was needful all three looked out per petually toward tho moor and the high road, and thought the view Hatter, and duller, and emptier than ever it bad ap peared to them before. The day waned tho sunset came darkness changed the perpetual looking out of the house keeper, the steward, and the maid, into pei-(etual listening ten o'clock struck, and still there was nothing to be heard when they went to the open window but tho dull, wearisome, ceaselets beating ol thesurl on the sandy shore.

Tho housekeeper began to calculate the time that would be consumed ou tbe railway journey fr«m London to Devon shire, and on the posting jourrey afterward through Cornwall to Porthgenna. When had Mr. and Mrs. Frankland left Plymouth ?—that was the first question. And what delays might tney nave en countered alterward in getting horses? —that was tbe second? The bouse keeper and the steward differed iriitably In debating these points but both agreed that it was necessary to sit up until midnight, on tho chance of the master and mintress arriving late. The maid, hearing her sentence of banishment from bed for tbe next two hours pronounced by the superior authorities, yawned and sighed mournfully—was reproved by the steward—auu was furnished by tbe housekeeper with a book of Hymns to read, to keep up her spirits.

Twelve o'clock struck, and still the monotonous beating of the surf, varied occasionally by tbo-e loud, mysterious, rracking noised which make tfcfvm«otve* heard at nl.ht in an old house, were the only audible sounds. Tbe steward was dosing the maid was fast asleep under tbe Hoothlng influence of tbe Hymns tbe housekeeper waa wide awake, with her eyes fixed ou the window, and her bead shaking forebodingly from time to tl tm. At the last stroke of tbe clock she lea ber chair, listened attentively, and

T,, ten ner «r, i.™

gage and ac lb to**fd *uil bearing nothing, shook the maid spring or tho jffit$biy by tbe shoulder, aud stamped In plain

I^tfHsin aiwr^t Ihe to arwttse the steward. tabie# who «n%bt be eto. J11*!"* We may go to bed," she said. "They

/iinherit,nilnlname

hr^1l

was one who would the ef at ail T" asked the steward, sleepily setFc..kUol,d wta. (II to, inftnl look-1 ,||(

A^Musation tbrougtwat 1, heir to the Porthgenna estate. In the next montti, tbe month of April, hetore the housekeeper and tt»e steward had donedl*a«logtheir Ustand itn porta nt fragmen of .i w*, the poetnTsn m»dohi». wM»me appeaimnoe at ?orthgeuti»loW^andbr.m^ta,,ot^

.. pjd you say they were not oeming

answered tbe housekeeper, sharply. "But it wouldn't surprise me, for one, If we never set eyes on them after all our trouble In getting the place ready. ThU is the second time they have disappointed us. The first time the Captain's death stood In tbe way. What stop* them »owf Another deafh shouldn't wonder if it was."

,. No more ifwtlid I," assented tbe I ateward. with a yawn-

^f h*r Another death J' repealed the house-

ti

fc'4..

»r death, I should fake ft, In tbeir l-e, in a warning to keep away from *4*1} ii VliSe.

CHAPTKF Vtll.

Rs.

JAKKTB.

and Mrs. Frankland's arrival at Porthgenna, the housekeeper bad, by way of variety, surmised, this tltnft, that birth was the obstacle which delayed them, she might have established her character as a wise woman, by hitting *t random on the actual truth. Her master and mistress bad started from London on the ninth of May, and bail got through the greater part of tbeir railway journey, when they were suddenly, obliged to atop, on Mrs. Frankland's account, at the station of a small town in SomersetHhire. The little visitor who Was destined to increase the domestio responsibilities of the young umrried couple, bad chosen to enter on tho scene in the character of a robust boy baby, a month earlier than he bftd been expected, and had modestly preferred to make his lirat appearance in a nntall Somersetshire inn, rather than wait to be cere nionionsiy welcomed to life in the great house of Porthgenna, which be was one day to inherit.

Very few events had ever produced a greater sensation in the town of West Winston, than the one small ovent of the unexpected stoppage of Mr. and Mrs. Frankland's journey at that place. Never, since the last election, bad the landlord and landlady of the Tiger'N Head Hotel bustled about their house

gesUif: but Mrs. Fratikland \v*d tl.o [ever oi exoiteme.it a4 possessed sume objection tc» E Mr. Fmnklat^s servant StstTugeJ to her^ and ^ie did not and Mrs. Fr^Und's maid rr ,v up a,

the door iu a fly from tho station, to announce that their master and mistress were belli d, and that the largest aud quietest roouis in the hotel were wanted immediately, under the most unexpected and moat interesting circumstances Never, siuoe he had triumphantly pass ed his examination, had young Mr. Or ridge, the new Doctor, who had started in life by purchasing the West Winston practice, felt such a thrill of pleasurable agitation pervade him from top to toe. as when be beard that the wde of a blind gentleman of great fortune had been taken ill on the railway journey from Loudon to Devonstiire at the West Winston station, and required all that his skill and attention could do for her, without a moment's delay. Never, since tli Inst archery ineetlug and fancy fair. n~u tne ladies of the town been lavored with such an all absorbing subject tor conversation as was now afforded to them by Mrs. Frankland's mishap. Fabulous accounts ot the wires beauty and the husband's fortune, poured from iuo original source of tho Tiger's Head, and trickled through the highways and byways of tbe little town. There were a dozen different reports, one more elaborately false than the other, about Mr Frankland's blindness, and the cause of it about the lamentable condition in which bis wife had arrived at he hotel and about the painful sense of responsibility which had unnerved the inexperienced Mr. Orridge from the rirst moment when he set eyes on "his iashionabl« and lovely patient." It was not till eight clock iu the evening thai ibo public mind was relieved at last irom all suspense by an annoupcmenl tnat the child was born, and screaming lustily that tbe mother was wouderfulI3' well,considering all things and that Mr. Orridge had not only kept possession of bis nerves, but had covered himself with distinction, by the skill, tenderness, and attention with which he had per.ormed bis duties.

On the next day, and the next, and tor a week after that, the accounts were -till favorable. But on the tenth day, a catastrophe was reported. The jiurse who was in attendance on Mrs Frank land had been suddenly taken ill, aud vvas rendered quite incapable ot perlorming any further service for at least a week to come, and perhaps for a much longer period. In a large town this misfortune might have been readily remedied, but in 11 place like Wast Win -iton it was not so easy to supply in.loss of an experienced nur«e at a few nours' notice. When Mr. Orridge was consulted in the new emergency, be •ndidly acknowledged that he required alittiotime for consideration before he ould undertake to find another pro iessed nurse of sufficient character and xperieuce to wait on a lady like Mrs. Frankland. Mr. Frankland suggested telegraphing to a medical friend in Lon •jou for a nurse, but the Doctor was 1111«illing fer many reasons to adopt that plan, except as a last .resource. It would take some time t« find the right person, uid to send her to West Winston and, moreover, he would infinitely prefer employing a woman with whose character aud capacity he was himself acquainted. Lie therefore proposed that Mr*. Frankland should bo trusted foe a lew hours to tho care of her maid, under supervision of tne landlady of the Tiger's Head, while he made inquiries iu the neighborhood. If tbe inquiries produced no satisfactory result, he should be ready, when ho called in the overling, to adopt Mr. Frankland's Idea of telegraphing to London for a nurse.

O11 proceeding to make the Investigation that he had proposed, Mr. Orridge, although I10 spared no trouble, met with no success. He found plenty of volunteers for tho office of nurso, but they were all loud voiced, clumsy handed, heavy footed countrywomen, kind and willing enough, but sadly awkward, blundering attendants to place at the bosido of such a lady as Sirs. Frankland. The morning houra passed away, and the afternoon came, and still Mr. Orridge found no substitute for the invalided nurse wboin he oouid venture to engage.

A two o'clock he bad half an hour's drive l»ef re liltn to a country bouse, where he had a child patient to see. "Perhaps I may remember somebody who mav do, on the way out, o" on tho way bao*k again," thought Mr. Orridge as he got Into his gig. "I have some hours at tnv disposal still before the time comes for my evening visit at the inn."

Puxzllng ids brains, with tbe best }n tention in the world, all along tho mad tothecountrv house, Mr. Orridge reached his destination without having arrived at any other conclusion than that he might just as well state his difBcalty to Mrs. Norbury, the lady whose child he wns about to prescribe lor. He had called on ber when be bougbt tbe West Winston practice, and had found ber one of tboee frank, good humored, middle aged women, who art generally designated by tbo epithet "motherly/' Her husband was a country squire, famous for bis old politics, his old Jokes, and bis old wine. He bad seconded bis wife's liesrty reception of tbe new Doctor, with all the usual jokes about never giving him any employment, and never letting any bottles Into the bou^e, ox cftpt the bottles that went down into the oeflai. Mr. Orridge had been amused by tbe husband and pleased witb tbe wife and he thought it might be at least worth while, before he gave tip all hope of finding a fit name, to ask Mrs. Norbury, as an old resident In tbe West Whajton fW^nhborhood, for a word of

Accordingly, after aaeing the child ami pronouncing that there were no symptoms about tbe little patient which need cause the slightest alarm to anybodv, Mr. Orridge f»v*f the way for a staiementof Use difficulty that be «e him, by asking Mr*. Norbury If she

ff, tn*!f td of bn/ iding the guess at h*d hesnl of th«j a KM nd death *t^»d the way of Mr, that had happetird at the Tiger's bead.

TE-R RE HAUTE SATURDAY- EVffNIN MAIIf

bury, who was a downright woman, and a resolute speaker of the plainest possible English "you mean, have I heard about that poor unfortunate lady who was taken ill on her journey, and who bad a child born at the Inn We bave heard so much, and no more—living as we do (thank Heaven I) out of reach of tbe Weat Winston gossip. How is the lady Who ia she Is the child well? Is she tolerably comfortable, poor thing? Can I send ber anything, or uo anything tor her?"

Yfti would do a great thing for ber, and render a great assistance to me," said Mr. Orridge, "if you could ted me of any respectable woman in this neighborhood who would be a proper nurse for r."

You dbn't mean to^ay that the poor creature has not got a nurse!" exclaim ed Mrs. Norbury. "She has bad the best nurse in West Winston," replied Mr. Orridge "bnt most unfortunately, the woman was taken ill this inoniing, and was obliged to go home. I ani now at my wit'send for somebody to supply lierplaco. Mrs. Frankland has lieen used to the luxury of being well 'valted 011 and wbere I sm to find an atteudent, who Is likely to sa isiy her, is mor« tbun I oan tell."

You mean," answered Mrs. Nor- the (able, she moved itfeo suddenly that

Franklaud, did you say her name was?'' inquired Mrs. Norbury. Yes. She is, I understand, adaugh ter of that Captain Treverton who was lost, with his ship, a year ago, In the West Indies. Perhaps you may reinem ber tbe account or tbe disaster iu the newspapers?"

Of course I do and I re ember the Captain, too. I was acquainted witb him when he was a young man, aL Portsmouth. His daughter and I ought not

10

be strangers, especially under

such circumstances as the poor thing is placed in uow. I will call at tie inn, Sir. Orridge, as soon as you will allow me, to introduce myself to her. But, in the mean time, what is to be done ii this difficulty about tin nurse? Who is witb Mrs. Frankland now?"

Her maid but she is a very young w«uian, and doesn't understand liure ing duties. The landlady of the inn is ready to help when she can but then she has constant demands on her time and attention. I suppose we shall have to telegraph to London, and got souio lody sent here by railway."

And that will take time, of course? And the new nuree may turn out to be a drunkard, or 11 thief, or both—whe you have got lv here," said tbe outspo ken Mrs. Norbury. "Dear, dear me! can't we do something i.etter than thai? Lam ready, I am sure, to take any iron ble, or make any sacrifice, if I can be ot USJ to Mrs. Franland. Do you know, Mr. Orridge, 1 think it would be a good plan if we consulted uiy housekeeper. Mrs. Jazeph. She is an odd woman, with an odd name, you will say but she has lived with me in this house nnr. than five years, aud she miy know somebody in our neighborhood who might possibly suit you, 1 hough don't." With tlrese words, Mrs. Nor bury rang tbe bell, and ordered the servant who answered it to tcJl Mrs Jazeph that she was wanted up stairs immediately.

After the lapse of a minute or so, a soft knock was heard at the door, and t:ie housekeeper entered the room.

Mr. Orridge looked at he-r, the mo inentshe appeared, with an interest and curiosity lor which he was hardly able, to account. He judged her, at a rough guess, to be a woman of about fifty years of age. At the first glance his medical eye detected that some of tbe intricate machinery of the nervous system had gone wrong with Mrs. Jazeph. He noted tho painful working of the muscles of her lace, and the hectic flush that flew into ter cheeks when she entered the room and found a visitor there. He observed a strangely scared look in her eyes, and remarked that it did not leave them when the rest of her lace became gradually composed. "That woman has had some dreadful frignt, some great grief, or some wasting com plaint," be thought to himself. "I wonder which it is?" "This is Mr. Orridge, the medical ureiitlemun who has lately settled at West Winston," said Mrs. Norbury, addressing the bousekerper. ''Ho is In attendance on a lady who was obliged stop, on her journey westward, at our station, and who is now staying at the Tigei'd Head. You Ifavo hoard something ftbi-ut it, have you not, Mrs. Jazeph

Mrs Jazeeh, standing just inside the door, lm.ked respectfully toward the Doctor, and answered in the affirmative. Although she only said the two common words, "Yes, ma'am," in a quiet, unln terested way, Mr. Orridge was struck by the sweetness and tenderness of her voice. If he had not been looking at her, he would have supposed it to be the voice Af a young woman. His eyes remained fixed on her after she had spoken, thougti ho felt that they ought to have been looking toward her mistress. He, tho most unobservant ot men in such things, found himself noticing her dress, so that he remembered, long afterward, the form of the spotless muslin cap that primly oovered her smooth gray hair, and the quiet brown oolor of the silk dress that fitted so neatly, and hung uround her in such spare and disciplined folds. The little contusion which she evidently felt at finding In self tha object of the Loctor's attention did not betray ber into the (lightest awkwardness of gesture or marner. If there can be sueu a thing, physically speaking, am the grace or restraint, that was the grace which seemed to govern Mrs. Jazeph'a slightest movements! which ltd. her feet smoothly over the carpet, as she advanced when her mistress next spoke to her which governed the action of ber wan right liand as it rested lightly on a table by her side, while she stopped to hear the next question that was addressed to her. "Weil,"' oontlnuod Mr*. Norbury, "this poor lady was just getting ou comfortably, when the uurw, who was looking alter her, fell ill this morn in* and there she is now, in a strange place with a first child, and no proper attendance—no woman of age and experience to help her as she ought to be helped. We want somebody lit to wait on a delicate woman who has seen nothing of the rough side of humanity. Mr. Orridge can find nobody at a day's notice, and I can tell him of nobody. Can you help us, Mrs. Jaseph? Are there any women down in the village, or atnoug Mr. Norbury*s tenants, wuo understand nursing, aud have some tact and tenderness to recommend them into tbe bajgaln?"

Mrs. Jaaepb reflected tor a little while and then said, very respectfully, but very briefly also, and still without any appearance of interest in ber manner, tiut abe knew of no one whom she could recommend.

Don't make too sure of that HU you bave thought a litUe longer," said Mrs. Norbury. "I bavo a particular lutereat in serving this Uiy, for Mr. Orridge told me Just before you catue to, that she is the daughter of Captain Treverton, whose shipwreck—**

The inatant those words were spoken, Mra. JiKeph turned round with a start, and lo a«d at the Doctor. Apptreuily

it struck against a bronse statuette ot a dog placed on some writing materials. Tbe statuette fell to the ground, and Mrs. Jaxeph stooped to pi«k it up, with a cry of alarm which seemed strangely exaggerated by comparison with tbe trifling nature of the accident.

Bleat the woman wr at Is she fright ened abolit?" exQlaigied Mrs. Norbury. Tbe dog is nQt hurt put it back again. This is tbe first time, Mrs. Jazeph, that I ever knew you to do an awkward thing. You may take that as a compliment, I think. Well, as I was saying, this lady is the daughter of Captain Treverton, whose dreadful shipwreck we all read about in the papers. I knew her father in my early days, and on that account I am doubly anxious to be of service to her now. Do think again. Is there nobody within reach who oan be trusted to nurse her?"

The Dootor,still watching Mrs. Jazeph with that secret medical interest of hi* in her case, bad seen her turn so deadly pale when she started and looked toward nirn, that he would not have been surprised if she had fainted on the spot. He now observed that she changed color again whon her mistress left oft speaking. The hectic red tinged her cheeks once more with two bright spots. Her timid eyes wandered uneasily about tbe room and ber Migers, as clasped her hands together, interlaced themselves mechanically. "That would be au interesting case to treat," thought the Doctor, following every nervous movement of the housekeeper's hands witb watchful eyes.

Do think again," repeated Mrs. Nor bury: "I am so anxious to help this poof lady through her difficulty, if I can."

I am very sorry," said Mrs. Jaseph in faint, trembling toues, but still a! ways with the same sweetness

110W.

Her eyes were

011

tho ground her color was deepening the fingers cf her clasped hands were working together faster and faster every moment. "But what?" asked Mrs. Norbury.

I was about to say, ma'am, answer Mrs. Jazeph, speaking with tho greatest difficulty and uneasiness, and never r.iising her eyes to her mistress's face, that, rather than this lauy should want for a nurse, I wouiil—con-ideriim the interest, nia'atn, which you take in her —I would, if you thought y«u coulu spare me—" "What, nurso li^-r yourself!" exclaimed Mrs. Norburv. "Upon my word, although you have got to it in rather roundawav way, you have conio to the point at last, in a manner which does ntinitu credit to your kindne-s of jari a id your readiness to make yourself useful. As to sparing you, of course 1 am not so sftltish, under the cireuriisiari ces, as to think twice of the inconvenience of losing my housekeeper. But the question is. are you competent aweil as willing? Have you ever had any practice iti 1111 rsimr?"

Yes, ma'am,"answered Mrs. J.useph, still without raising her eyes from tne irround. Shortly after my marriage" (tho flush disappeared, and her face turned pale a^ain as she said those words) I had some practice in nursing, and contained it at intervals until the time of my husband's death. I only presume to'i-ffor myself, Sir," she went 011, turning toward tho Doctor, a"d be coming more earnest and self essin her manner as ^be did so—"I onlv presume to offer myself, with the mis tress's permission, as a substitute for nmrse until some better qualified person can be found." "What do y«»u say, Mr. Orridg'*?" asked Mrs. Norburv.

It has been tho Doctor's turn to start when he first heard Mrs. Jazeph propose herself for the office of nurse. He heal tatod beforo ho answered Mrs. Norbury's question, then said "I can have but one doubt about the propriety of thankfully accepting Mrs. Jazeph's offer."

Mrs. Jaz-ph's timid eyes l'Xked anxiously and perplexedly at him a* he spoke. Mrs. Norbur, in herdowmight, aorupt way,isked iinmediately What the doubt wa*.

I feel some uncertainty," replied Mr. Orridge, "as to whether Mrs. Jazeph— she will pardon me as a medical, man for mentioning it— as to whe'-ber Mrs. Jaeepb is strong enough, and hasher narves sufficiently under control to perform the duiet which she is so kindly ready 'to undertake."

In spite ot the politer ess oftheexplana tlon, Mrs. Jazeph was evidently dia concerted and distressed by it. A certain quite, uncompUimt sadnes which it was very touching to see, over7 spread her ice, as she turned away without another word, and walked slowly to the door.

I ou't go yet!" cried Mrs, Norbury, kindly "or, ui least, it vou do go, cjme

back

again

I11

five minutes, lam quite

certain weshall have something moroto say to you then." Mis. Jazeph's eyos expressed her thanks In ono grateful glance. Thoy looked so much brighter ttiau usual while they rested on her mistress's face that Mrs/Norbnry hall doubted wbethertho tears were notjus rushing in tuem at that moment. Befbre she could lo again, Mrs. Jazeph hud courteried to tbo Doctor, and had UOiae .esnly left ic room.

Now we are a'.onf*. Mr. Orridge," said Mrs. Norbury, "I may tell you, with till submission to your medical judgement, that you are a little exauerating Mrs. Jazeph's nervous Infirmties. She looks poorly enough I ownbut, after five years' experlenoe of her, I can tell you that she la atrouger than she looks, and I lioue*tly think you will be doing good service to Mrs. Frankland if you try our volunteer nurse, at least for a day or two. She is the gentlest, tenderest creature I ever met with, and conscientious to a fault in tho performance of auy duty that she undertakes. Don't be under any delicacy about taking her aw*y. I gave a dinner-party last week, aud shall not give another for some time to come. 1 never could bave spared my housekeeper more easily than I oan spare her now."

I am Etifrt I may cflvr Mrs. Frankland's thanks to you as wel my own," said Mr. Orridge. After what you bave said, it would be ungracious and ungrateful in me not to follow your atl vice. But will you eitcuso me, if I ask one question Did you ever hear that Mrs. Jaxeph was subject to fits of- any kind?" •'Never."

1

Not even to hysterical affections now and then?" "Never, since she has been in thia

You surprise me there la something In her look and manner—" .. Yes,yes everybody remarks tbat at fin»t: but it simply means tbat she Is in delicate hedth, and that she baa not 1*1 a very happjr life I suspect) in her younger days. Tb« lady from whom I had her (with an excellent ohara iter) told me thai abe had married un

forgetting tU^t iter right baud waa on jbappdy when »be waa In a sadly poo rand

unprotected a(Me. -She never aaji thlug about her married trouble* beraelf but I believe bar husband ill-used b«r. However, It doea uot seem to ma that this is our busla^M.' I can ouly tell you again tbat she haa been an excellent aervant here for tbe last five years, and tbat, in your place, poorly aa abe may look, 1 ationld consider ber as tbe best nurse that Un, Frankland could possibly wish for under the circuinalauaee. There is uo need for me to say any more. Take Mrs. Jaaaph, or telegraph to Londou for a strauger—the decision of aourse rests with you."

Mr. Orridge thought he detected a slight tohe of Irritability iu Mrs. Norbury'a last sentence. Ho was a prudeut man and he suppressed any double he might still teel in reference to Mrs. Jaaeph a physieal capacities tor nursing tamer than risk otleudlug the most important lady iu the neighborhood at tne outset of his praotice in West Wiuston aa a medical uiau. 1 can not hesitate a moment after what you bave been good cuough to tell me," be said. "Pray believe tuat I gratefully accept your kind mas aud your housekeeper's offer."

Mrs. Norbury rang tbe bell. It was answered on the instant, by the houseKeeper herself.

Tne Doctor wondered whether she bad beeu listening outside tho door, and thought it ratneratrau je,if sue bad, that she buould be so anxious to learu bis decision.

Mr. Orridge accepts your offor with than Its," sain Mrs. Norbury, beckouing to Sirs. Jaseph to advance into the room. "1 hnve persuaded hiui that you are not quite so weak and HI as you look."

A

111

her

voice, "very sorry that I can think of

110

one who is fit but—" She stopped. No shy child ou Its first introduction to the society of strangers could have looked more sconcerted than she looked

gleam of joyful surprise broke over the housekeeper's lace, it look suddenly younger by years und years, as she siuiled aud expressed ber grutetul sense if tbe trust that was about to be reposeed

111

her. For the first time also since tue Doctor had sceu her, she ventured on speaking before she was spoken to. "•Wucu will my attendance be required, Sir she askeo.

As soon as posslole," replied Mr. Orridge. How quckly and brightly her dim eyes seemeu to clear as she board that auswer! How much more hasty ih.tii her usual movements was the movement with which she uow turned round and looked appeaungiy at* her umtiefcs! "Uo whenever Mr. Orridge wants you," said Mrs. Norbury. "I know youi accounts are always 111 order, and your keys always in tbeir proper places. You never make contusion, and you never leave confusion. Go, by all uieaiis, as soon as the Doctor wants ou."

I suppose yen have pome preparations t: make r" said Mr. Oi ridge. None, Sir, that need delay mo more than half an hour," answered Mrs. Jazeph, his evening will be early enough," said the Doctor, taking bis hat, aud bowing. to Mrs. Norbury. Come to tho Tiger's Head, and usk for uie. 1 shall be there between seven and eight. Many thanks agaiq, Mrs. Ncrbury."

My best wishes and coiiipnuH uts to your patient, Doctor." At tne Twer's Ilea j, between seven and eight this evening," reiterated Mr. Orridge, as the housekeeper opened the uoor mr him.

Between seven and eight, Sir," repeated the sott sweet vol e, s-uuding younger than over now that tlier* was an und-r note of pleasure ^running through Its tones. [TO BK CONTINUED] i. V#

HO IK LA TK MAY A LO VEIi &TA Yt The New York Herald discusses this interesting question Miss Abbie J. Terry, an American young lady ot literary proclivities, in a recent pun ication. which rtavhes 11s by coming around

Uobin Hood's Barn," all the way from Honolulu, says that: It is an imposition on any well bred nirl to keep her up later than 10:30 o'clock, wuenyou have the oppori unity of seeing her often. If you always leave her with the wish in her heart that you had stayed longer, you gain so much. Nover run the risk of wearying her with your presence. Woo a woman bravely. If there is anything bumiilatinit to a woman, it is to have a lover whom she wishes to honor weak and vapid, ever yielding and half afraid of hor. She longs to tell him to act llko a man."

MIHM Terry, it will thus be seen, holds. the same profound and oorrect vie*s of tho female heart which were entertained by Mr. Weller, who commended the "bobtailed stylo of love ictter," because it made tho reclpiont wish there wes more of it. For our rt we take exceptions at once to Miss rry's rilling. Why should it be an .mposi l.m to keep ti well bred girl up later than 10:30 p. m., conversing witb her betrothed or probablo betro bed on a sofa iu a parlor with the gas turned down for economy, es becomes theso limes of retrenchment and rclortn, and not an Imposition to take her 10 a ball where, under the glaring light, she will dance till 4 a. 111. with a snore of people to not one-half of whom she can reasonably expect to becomo engagod Truo .tore should be moderation even In lnver's visits as well as lu voting. In neither wi:l judicious men «v rdo the sound doctrino of "early and often," nor should such visits bo prolonged, as a rule, till what the society reporters call that "late, or rather early hour when, as Tennyson beautilully observes

I ho cats Biiesk homo and light la come, And ml Ik men Jump upon the ground. But except in the backwoods, under the dispensation of pineknota, it is hard to see why either economy or p^udeuco should reius© tbe limit of a Iau»r hour than that designated by Miss Terry, Bay midnight or a quarter after on ordinary occasions, and 11 or half past, on Saturday nights. Miss Terry's caution to young men agaiust wearying the object of their attentions is, however, Incontrovertlblv Judicious. There is nothing BO Ixmeficial or so flaUering to a truo woman as a little wholesome neglect. Another acuta observer of women and things, Mr. Joshua Billings, in one of his essays, enlarges on this point and lays down tbe rule that It is "well somatimet to draw In your wind and look aa thongh It hurt you, for she will think you are ailing and will pity you." and pity, it is an established imychological fact, easily melts tbe heart to love. Othello was a skillful practitioner in this kind, If Shakespeare may be believed. M.ae Terry, who Insists 011 perfect honesty between lovers, perhaps would not sanction such a ruse, and perhaps she Is right, though It has

been

well said that in love, war, and politics deception is often the better p*rt of valor. Her last rule, 00 a woman bravelv," is admirable, though In commenting upon it aho seem* to betray nitne personal fueling, aa if she, so to speak, knew how it was herself. But why should she overlook tho fact that this is leap year, and a centennial leapyear at that, when by all the canons it agreed that without doltitr violence to

her

womanhood, any true woman may l! her lover, though a very sheep, to act like a roan."