Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/151

 with a twinkle gleaming in her eye. An audacious thought had come to her, yet a thought so full of possibilities for good—and, maybe, ill—that she decided to act upon it, and quietly replied:

"Yes, Mr. Smith, I think I do know just the right woman. She has lately returned from a winter in California, where she has been nursing an invalid back to health. She is a trained nurse and was with me last year, during my long illness. I received her card recently saying that she would be in this city about now. Indeed, she must have left Southern California at about the same time as your little ward, though she was to delay a day or so at Chicago. I will send to inquire if she is at home, at her boarding-house, if you desire."

He assented, adding:

"I should be very grateful. I trust I may be able to prove later on that I am not unappreciative of all your goodness."

"Don't mention it. Good morning. I will write the note immediately, and until some