her charge, watching each change in his features and anticipating as
far as possible his wants. She possessed a very sweet, clear voice;
and frequently, when all other means had failed to quiet him, she
would bend her face near his and taking his hands in hers, would sing
to him some simple song of home, until lulled by the soft music he
would fall away to sleep. Such unwearied kindness was not without its
effect upon George, and one day when Mary as usual was sitting near
him, he called her to his side, and taking her face between his hands,
kissed her forehead and lips, saying, "What can I ever do to pay my
little nurse for her kindness?"

Mary hesitated a moment, and then replied, "Love me as well as you do
Ella!"

"As well as I do Ella!" he repeated, "I love you a great deal better.
She has not been to see me once. What is the reason?"

Frank, who a moment before had stolen to Mary's side, answered for
her, saying, "some one had told Ella that if she should have the
fever, her curls would all drop off; and so," said he, "she won't come
near you!"

Just then Mrs. Howard appeared, and this time she was accompanied by
Ella, who clung closely to her mother's skirt, looking cautiously out
from its thick folds. George did not as usual caress her, but he asked
her mockingly, "if her hair had commenced coming out!" while Ella only
answered by grasping at her long curls, as if to assure herself of
their safety.

In a few days George was able to go on deck, and though he still