Gratia's Trials — page 85: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

7 pees QRATIA’S TRIALS. tions of the child-invalid ; and when, at last, after many a sick- ening fluctuation between hope and fear, Ida was pronounced to be out of danger, the physician frankly told Colonel Falconer that, under Providence, it was to the young nurse's care that he owed his child’s life. After this, Ida became more passionately devoted than ever to Gratia Kempfield ; but the anomalous position in which this placed the young nurse, was sometimes not a little annoying. It was a lovely evening in August, and Mr. Millers open barouche had been ordered around to take the ladies for a drive. “‘Tt’s a beautiful Rheechon for the shore road,” said Alberta. _ ** Mamma, suppose we call for Mrs, Verschoyle to go with us?” Mrs. Falconer agreed to the proposition, as she established herself snugly on the cushions of the back seat, with Ida next to her, and Alberta sitting opposite. ‘*Go on, Server !” said Miss Falconer, authoritatively, to the driver. But at the same moment Ida called out: ‘‘Gratia! Where is Gratia ?” ‘Stop, Server!” cried Alberta. ‘‘ What on earth do you want of the girl, Ida?” ‘To go with us,” said the child, with the exacting impe- tiousness due to convalescence. ‘‘I won't go unless Gratia goes, too.” ““My dear child!” reasoned her grandmother; ‘‘ we are going for a drive on the shore road with Mrs. Verschoyle.” — **T don’t care,” fretted Ira; ‘‘1 don't like Mrs. DBleeeitsy and I want Gratia. Let me pi out |” Mrs. Falconer looked appealingly at her ene .. ** What are we to do, Alberta?” ‘* Horrid little petulant thing!” muttered Alberta, with no very amiable expression on her face. ‘‘Let her get out if she chooses !” . ‘‘But Hugo makes such a point of her having a drive in the fresh air every day, and Unele Ralph does so spoil the child !” comicbooks:co me