this--this habit I've gotten into," he said, "of having a--a
nurse at my side. It seems very strange that she will soon be gone.
I've learnt to depend so much on.... And Stefan is coming to take you
away to Carcajou--and then over there to Dr. Starr's. Then I believe
I'm to go and stay with the Papineaus, till I can handle a frying-pan
and an axe. The--the prospect is a dismal one."

She took a little step towards him but he had bent over the letter and
was directing it. When this was done he stared at it for a moment and,
unsteadily, handed it to the girl, with the writing down.

"I--I would like you to deliver this for me," he told her. "It is ever
so important and--and our post-office isn't very reliable, I'm afraid.
But I know I can trust you."

She looked at him in surprise and then she looked at the envelope. To
her intense amazement she read:

Miss Madge Nelson,

Roaring River.

"What does this mean?" she asked, bewildered.

"I--I'm afraid you will have to read it to find out," he answered.

She opened the door and rushed out. One fear was in her heart. She
dreaded to find money in it. How dared he offer to pay for what she
had done? She would lay the envelope on the table, with its contents,
and quietly say--well, what could she say?

With the thing in her hand she walked down the path to the edge of the
falls, where she sat down on an old big trunk of birch fallen many
years ago and partly covered with moss. For one or two long minutes
she held it in her lap, gazing at the rushing waters without seeing
them. A strange fluttering was at her heart, a curious trepidation
that was akin to intense fear caused her neck to throb, but her face
was very pale. Finally, with a swift gesture, she tore the envelope
open and read:

MY GOOD LITTLE NURSE:

Those other letters were not from me but this one is: you saw me
write it. It carries a thousand thanks for your kindness and
devotion to your helpless patient. During those dreadfully long
hours your presence was a blessing; it could soothe away the pain
and bring hope and comfort. In a couple of weeks more I shall be
as strong as ever, but I know that without you Roaring River will
never be the same. You came here bravely, ready to marry a decent
man who would help you bear the burdens of this world, which had
proved too heavy for you. Of course the man must be honest and
worthy o