His Hearts Queen | Page 7

mention of the young carpenter,
while she glanced about the humble though pretty room with an air of

disdain that brought the sensitive color into Mrs. Richardson's cheeks,
and made the physician glare angrily at her for her rudeness.
"Will you remove your hat and wrap, Mrs. Mencke? You will probably
like to remain with your sister for a while," her hostess remarked, with
a lady-like courtesy which betrayed that, whatever her present
circumstances might be, she had at some time moved in cultured
society.
"Yes, I shall remain until a suitable nurse can be obtained," the woman
said, coldly, as she gave her hat and mantle into her hands.
Then she turned to Doctor Norton and remarked:
"Doubtless you know of some one who would be competent to take
charge of Miss Huntington?"
"Yes, I know of just the person--she is a trained hospital nurse; but her
compensation is fifteen dollars a week besides her living," Doctor
Norton responded.
"I do not care what her compensation is," replied Mrs. Mencke, with a
slightly curling lip; "I wish Violet to have the best of care. Are you sure
it will not do to have her taken home?" she concluded, with an anxious
glance toward the room, where she had caught a glimpse of the other
patient as she entered.
"Very sure, madame," returned the physician, decidedly. "I would not
be answerable for the consequences if she were removed. With an
efficient nurse, the young lady can be made very comfortable here. Mrs.
Richardson has kindly resigned this room--the best she had--for her use.
It is cool and airy, and you do not need to have any anxiety about her
on the score of her accommodations. If you insist upon removing her,
however, it must be upon your own responsibility."
Mrs. Mencke thought a moment, then she said:
"Very well; it shall be as you advise, and I will come every day to

spend as much time as possible with her. Mrs. Richardson shall be well
paid, too, for her room and all inconvenience."
Mrs. Richardson's delicate face flushed again at this coarse reference to
their obligation to her. There had not been one word of thanks or
appreciation for what she had already done; it seemed as if the haughty
woman considered that her money would cancel everything.
"The dear child is welcome to the room and any other comfort that I
can give her," she said, quietly; then added: "It is time now for her
fever drops."
She leaned over the sufferer, who had again relapsed into her delirious
state, and gently put the spoon to her lips.
Violet unclosed her eyes and looked up into the kind, motherly face,
hesitated a moment, then swallowed the drops, while she murmured, as
her glance lingered on her countenance:
"You are good--I love you," then, with a sigh, she turned her head upon
the pillow and dropped into a sleep, while her companions stole from
the room to complete their arrangements for her future comfort.
"Your son--how is he?" Mrs. Mencke inquired, as they entered the
sitting-room, and she felt that it devolved upon her to make the inquiry.
"Better, thank you. He has not so much pain, and Doctor Norton thinks
his bones are going to knit nicely. He suffers more from his bruises and
cuts than from the broken bones. I am very thankful that he has escaped
with his life," Mrs. Richardson answered, tremulously, and with
startling tears.
"Was he badly hurt?" inquired the lady, languidly.
"Well, he has a couple of protuberances upon his head, three serious
bruises on one leg, and a deep cut on the other from broken
window-glass. Our young hero--and he is a hero, Mrs. Mencke--is
pretty well battered up; but, please God, we are going to save him, and

he'll come out as good as new in time." Doctor Norton returned, with
an energy that made Mrs. Richardson smile, though with tremulous
lips.
"It was a frightful accident," murmured Mrs. Mencke, with a slight
shiver.
"You may well say that, madame; and it was a happy inspiration on the
part of Mr. Richardson to try to save Miss Huntington in the way that
he did. By suspending himself from the straps and make her cling to
him he broke the force of the crash for both of them; and, if she lives,
there is not the slightest doubt in the world that she will owe her life to
his thoughtfulness," said the worthy doctor.
"I am sure it was very good of him, and--we are very grateful to him,"
was the tardy admission of Violet's proud sister; but it lacked the ring
of sincerity, and her patronizing manner plainly indicated that her pride
rebelled against all feeling of obligation to an humble carpenter.
"You certainly